Parks commission approves key step in Riverside State Park expansion

Riverside State Park is one step closer to expanding after the state park commission approved plans to expand the park’s boundary.

“The door has been opened for staff to explore (the possibility),” Michael Hankinson, the parks planner for Washington State Parks said.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the classification change at a meeting Thursday.

The properties that could be added to the Riverside State Park boundary include the Waikiki Springs property, the Lake Spokane campground, the McClellan Conservation area and others.

Parks staff will start evaluating the various parcels to see if state parks has the ability and staffing to manage the land. Staff will also consider land access and classification issues.

“To me the big story is that state parks has a presence on Lake Spokane and we’re just working out a vision for its future,” he said.