CONSERVATION -- Spokane County has sealed the deal to expand the McKenzie Conservation Area on the northwest shore of Newman Lake by 44 acres. 

The acquisition was funded through the voter-supported Conservation Futures Program and preserves tract of forest land that will allow for the expansion of the McKenzie Conservation Area Trail System and provide additional protected habitat for area wildlife.  The 44 acres was purchased with $275,000.00 from the Conservation Futures Fund.

The deal expands the McKenzie area to 465 acres. The original 421 acres was purchased by the county in 2005 for $1.5 million with $83,500 donated by the family back to the county for an endowment that helps maintain the area.

To help maintain and enhance the new addition, the former property owner donated $13,750.00 to Spokane County to establish a maintenance endowment fund. 

The Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf Department will work with local volunteers and residents to design and build the trail system expansion, said Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter, county spokeswoman.   Local homeowners already have a good start on a trail system.

The county manages 14 conservation areas secured in the Conservation Futures Program.

Non-motorized recreation (hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing) is allowed on McKenzie Conservation Area.  Trailhead parking is available at 15898 N. West Newman Lake Road.

Directions: From Liberty Lake, go north 2.4 miles on Harvard Road. Turn east on Trent Avenue (SR 290) and go 2.2 miles to a four-way intersection (Moab Junction) and turn north on Starr Road. Drive 3 miles and turn right at the Y onto Hauser Lake Road for less than 0.5 mile. Turn left on Muzzy Road. Drive 4.5 miles (Muzzy Road becomes West Newman Lake Road) to the trailhead down to the left.

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