Outdoor choices abound near Valley
Today marks the official first day of summer. With the weather acting accordingly, many are setting their sights outdoors for the gatherings and weekend activities ahead.
With hundreds of acres of parks and natural areas in their backyards, greater Spokane Valley residents don’t have to drive far – or spend a lot of gas money – to boat, camp, hike or just relax.
Spokane Valley city parks
Weekend reservations for picnic shelters at Mirabeau Point Park and Valley Mission Park are already booked through most of the summer, said Carol Carter of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation. But midweek dates there and weekends at Sullivan, Browns and Edgecliff parks are still available.
Reservations cost $30 with a $50 refundable deposit for groups with fewer than 200 people and $150 with a $250 refundable deposit for larger groups. Rates vary to rent the waterfall area, shelter and other facilities at Mirabeau Point.
Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in Spokane Valley parks, except for groups at Mirabeau Springs who acquire a special permit.
The city also offers a variety of weeklong summer camps, half-day programs and free drop-in activities at parks for children ranging in age from those who are big enough to crawl to 11 years old.
Call (509) 688-0300 for reservations or more information on parks programs. Detailed park and program information also can be found at www.spokanevalley.org under parks and recreation in the departments menu.
Pavillion Park
Liberty Lake’s city park will kick off four summer concerts July 4 with Tuxedo Junction, followed by Seattle’s Junior Cadillac on July 15, Leo Kottke on July 22 and the Spokane Symphony on Sept. 2.
All concerts are free and start at 7 p.m., except the symphony, which starts at 6 p.m.
Starting July 7, the park once again will feature free outdoor movies as soon as the sun goes down each Friday and several Saturdays through Aug. 26. The cinematic selections this year include “Shakespeare in Love,” “Airplane,” “Seabiscuit,” “Indiana Jones,” “Babe,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and others.
A full list of movies will be available soon at www.pavillionpark.org.
Although dates fill up quickly, the pavilion itself can be rented out by filling out an application available from the city, (509) 755-6700.
Alcohol is not allowed in the park except in a cordoned-off area by a permit available to those renting the pavilion.
Liberty Lake County Park
You don’t need million-dollar property to enjoy a day at the beach at Liberty Lake. For $2 per person for those 6 and older, families can play volleyball, watch birds from a wetland boardwalk, hike to a waterfall, ride their horses or use the lifeguard-supervised swimming area. Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends, the park also features a shelter that can be reserved for events.
“It’s not hard to reserve, just call ahead,” said Anna Gentili, working at the gate Tuesday.
The park also features a campground with 24 RV sites and 10 tent sites. For information on camping rates and shelter reservations, call (509) 477-4730 or visit www.spokanecounty.org/parks.
Alcohol is not allowed in county parks, with the exception of groups renting shelters at Liberty Lake or Bear Lake in north Spokane County who hire security officers. Alcohol is allowed at Liberty Lake campsites, but kegs and parties are not allowed.
The city’s namesake also is available via a public boat ramp.
From 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Liberty Lake site offers a dock, restrooms and a fully handicapped-accessible fishing area. It is located at the east end of East Third Avenue off Molter Road.
Users are required to have a decal from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. They come free with hunting and fishing licenses or are available where licenses are sold for $10.95.
Other areas
Spokane County also makes more than 1,300 acres of wild land around the Spokane Valley open to hikers and nature enthusiasts.
South of Sargent Road and the Appleway couplet, the 518-acre Dishman Hills Natural Area offers not only a grassy park but miles of hiking trails.
Camp Caro, a large log building there, is available to rent for groups smaller than 75 people. The cost for a nonprofit group is $150 per day with a $150 refundable deposit.
At 796 acres, the Iller Creek Conservation Area is an even larger area to hike and view wildlife. Though the only amenity at the trailhead is a portable toilet, there is a network of trails up and near Tower Mountain, and the fauna in the area is said to include deer, moose, elk and red-tailed hawks. To get there, turn west onto South Schafer Road from Dishman-Mica. Turn right where Schafer dead ends at East 44th Avenue. Turn left on South Farr Road, and take a right on East Holman Road and stop where the pavement ends.
Plantes Ferry Park also offers access to the Spokane River and Centennial Trail. A picnic shelter is available but is first come, first serve.