About Us

Did you know?
Nearly all of Spokane’s parks were originally conceived by the Olmsted Brothers, the legendary landscape architect firm responsible for designing Central Park in New York City?

Our History

The Olmsted Brothers issued a report in 1908 proposing a massive project to introduce nine new parks and undergo significant improvements to the existing parks in Spokane.

Fast forward to 1951, when Spokane City Park Board President Laurence Hamblen appointed a committee to create a foundation to provide support for parks and recreation. Led by A. William Morris, Thomas J. Meenach and Joel E. Ferris, the committee founded what we now know as the Spokane Parks Foundation.

Since then, the Foundation has invested over 5 million in the community to provide resources for vibrant, healthy, accessible recreation programs and parks. As an independent, non-partisan advocate we fill the gap between what our parks need to thrive and what annual budgets can provide. We currently serve 110 parks – providing the dollars to ensure that everyone can enjoy these valuable community assets for generations to come.

Find a Park

To explore and learn more about the many parks, trails, and recreation areas our region has to offer, please click on the links below:

City of Spokane Parks and Recreation
Spokane County Parks, Recreation and Golf
Airway Heights Parks and Recreation
Cheney Parks and Recreation
City of Medical Lake
City of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation

Our Mission

The Spokane Parks Foundation cultivates the health, growth and continued enjoyment of our communities by inspiring giving and passion for our parks.

Our Vision

The Spokane Parks Foundation will be the premier foundation to provide resources for vibrant, healthy, accessible recreation programs and parks throughout the region.

Our Values

Providing Access
Advocating & Collaborating
Raising Funds
Knowledge & Education

Great Partners Help Build Great Communities!

We are grateful to the following businesses and organizations for their recent donations.
Please join us in thanking them for their support.

Spokane Humain Society Logo
Spokane City Credit Union Logo Carousel
The General Store Logo
WE Financial Partners Carousel

Avista Foundation
Barden and Barden
Berger Partnership
Bergquist Foundation
Bryan Hill, DDS
Crepe Café Sisters
David and Dorothy Pierce Charitable Trust
Greenstone Corporation
Heads Up Hockey
Idaho Central Credit Union
Innovia Foundation
Integrated Financial Services
Integrity Insurance Solutions

I.S. & Emily Fetterman Foundation
Johnston-Hanson Foundation
Kalispel Tribe and Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Metals Fab
Molina Healthcare of Washington
NAC Artchitecture
Numerica Credit Union
NW Playground Equipment
Physical Therapy Associates
Providence Health Care
Rotary Club of Spokane 21
Scott Family Orthodontics
Spokane Alpine Haus

Spokane Bike Swap and Expo
Spokane City Credit Union
Spokane Kiwanis Charities
Stacie Bain, Bike Lawyer
The General Store
The Inlander
The Spokane Club
Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane
Viren & Associates
Walmart Foundation
WE Financial Services
Wheel Sport Bicycles
Windermere Foundation

Corporate Giving

Our corporate partners understand that parks are a vital part of the life of our community.

If you are interested in learning more about how your organization can support the community by investing in parks, please contact us.

Gifts to the Spokane Parks Foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Become A Corporate Partner

Partner Spotlight

Great partners help build great communities!

Avista, Numerica and Providence are well-known leaders in our community dedicated to giving back. The Spokane Parks Foundation is especially grateful for their partnership and long-time support of our Make a Splash in a Kid’s Life program.

This past summer, Avista’s generosity helped fund swim lesson scholarships for children who could not other­wise afford them.

Thanks to Numerica, kids and families at all three Spo­kane Valley pools enjoyed “Free Swim Fridays” during the month of July.

An amazing gift from Providence funded free com­munity pool parties at Liberty and Hillyard aquatics centers, with free food, special treats and fun for all!

Our Leadership

Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board of Directors oversees the Parks Foundation, supporting our mission and vision, and ensuring that the Foundation continues to strengthen parks throughout Spokane County.

Executive Committee

  • Kevin Hennessey, Board President – Avista
  • Amy Lutz, Past President – NEWESD 101
  • Wade Schertenlieb, President Elect – WE Financial Partners
  • Craig Andersen, Board Secretary – Director of Landscape Architecture, AHBL
  • Gene Fitzpatrick, Board Treasurer – Spokane City Credit Untion

Board Members

  • Bill Bender – Community Member
  • Annie Blake-Burke – Senior Account Director, Desautel Hege
  • Roger Chase – Community Member
  • Kevin Eddy – Coach, Spokane Parks and Recreation Aquatics
  • Massoud Emami – Community member and retired downtown Spokane business owner
  • Mel Fowler – PR and Risk Management, Rover
  • Dana Harbaugh – Principal, NAC Architecture
  • Ted McGregor – Publisher, The Inlander
  • Barb Richey – Executive Director, Eastern Washington University Foundation

Staff

  • Yvonne Trudeau – Executive Director, Spokane Parks Foundation