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:
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.
Airway Heights Corrections Center
Avista Foundation
Black Stone Financial, Inc
Carls Invest
David and Dorothy Pierce Charitable Trust
Denny Christensen and Associates, Inc. Architects
Employee Advisory Council
Enterprise Fleet Management
Fidelity Charitable
Gonzaga University Ski and Snowboard Club
Heads Up Hockey
I.S. & Emily Fetterman Foundation
Innovia Foundation
Integrated Financial Services
Integrity Insurance Solutions
Johnston-Hanson Foundation
Kalispel Tribe and Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Kroger
M.H.A. Speakout Speakup
Metals Fab
Mountain Empire Veterinary Services P.C.
Mt. Spokane 2000
Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol
MultiCare
NAC Architecture
Numerica Credit Union
Providence Health Care
Rotary Club of Spokane 21
Schwab Charitable
Spokane City Credit Union
Spokane Humane Society
Spokane Kiwanis Charities
The Bergquist Foundation
The General Store
The Zevulun Foundation
Thrivent Action Team
Viren and Associates, Inc.
Walmart Foundation
WE Financial Partners PLLC
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.
Partner Spotlight
Great partners help build great communities!
Spokane City Credit Union
The Spokane Parks Foundation is proud and grateful to be one of SCCU’s preferred charities. SCCU invests in our community through The Giving Loan program and by donating 1% of their annual profits to three local non-profits. In addition, they are always looking to support and activate our local parks by sponsoring fun activities such as The Great Spokane Parks Challenge and Yoga in Corbin Park.
Thank you, Spokane City Credit Union, for helping our local parks thrive.
WE Financial Partners
In addition to their recent donation, partner Wade Schertenlieb volunteers his time as a member of the Spokane Parks Foundation Board and Finance Committee. Wade supports our efforts because “Spokane is such a beautiful place to raise a family, and I am happy to support the Spokane Parks Foundation in keeping it that way.”
Thank you, Wade and WE Financial Partners, for helping our local parks thrive.
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