Spokane’s $400 Million Plan to Redefine Parks, Schools, and Neighborhoods

Spokane is on the verge of one of the most ambitious civic transformations in its history. A proposed investment of more than $400 million could touch nearly every neighborhood, school, and park across the city. Unlike past efforts focused on single projects or isolated upgrades, this initiative — called Together Spokane — ties schools and parks into one coordinated vision that stretches across every quadrant of Spokane.

This isn’t just about fixing playgrounds or patching aging schools. It’s a blueprint for how the city will function, grow, and feel for decades to come.

What Is Together Spokane?

At its core, Together Spokane is a partnership between Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation. Two separate ballot measures, if approved, will move forward in sync — ensuring resources are maximized and community needs are met.

The plan covers more than 200 projects, ranging from new schools and recreation centers to park expansions, upgraded restrooms, and improved public safety. With over $50 million in private partnerships already committed, the initiative adds 30 additional projects without raising tax rates beyond the planned levy.

For the average homeowner with a property assessed at $325,000, the park levy would amount to about $7.25 per month. Construction is slated to begin in 2026 and will unfold in phases through the 2040s.

Northwest Spokane

Rapidly growing but lacking in community infrastructure, the northwest quadrant will see some of the most transformative projects.

A brand-new Madison Elementary School will be paired with a community recreation center next to Franklin Park. This isn’t a typical school gym — it’s envisioned as a full rec facility with five sport courts, flexible event space, and access for both students and the public. Partnerships, including with national volleyball organizations, will help fund specialized flooring and tournament-ready design.

The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex will expand with six new athletic fields, floodlights for year-round play, and multi-functional layouts for soccer, baseball, and more.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Tennis Association is committing $1 million to build an indoor tennis center at Shadow Park, betting on Spokane’s potential as a regional hub for the sport. And Meadowglen Park will finally bring green space to the Indian Trail area, which has long been underserved.

Northeast Spokane

This area — including Hillyard, Minnehaha, Shiloh Hills, and neighborhoods around Spokane Community College — has some of the city’s highest youth populations but historically the least investment.

A new trades-focused high school on the SCC campus will give students a diploma plus a two-year technical degree, debt-free, in fields like aviation tech, HVAC, and electrical. This dual pathway addresses both educational needs and Spokane’s workforce shortage in skilled trades.

Gary Middle School will undergo a major renovation, while neighborhood parks such as Nevada, Harmon, and Minnehaha will be upgraded. A brand-new park is also slated for Shiloh Hills, where none currently exist within walking distance.

One of the most impactful additions will be an indoor aquatic center at SCC, jointly supported by the school district and city. Beyond community use, it will ensure every second grader in Spokane receives swim lessons as part of their curriculum — a groundbreaking equity and safety measure.

Central Spokane

As the cultural and civic hub of the city, central Spokane’s facilities are some of the oldest. North Central High School will receive updated classrooms, labs, outdoor athletic fields, and an upgraded auditorium that can host public performances and community events.

Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods will benefit from new lighted, all-weather athletic fields at every high school. Park restrooms and trailheads will be modernized with improved accessibility and safety features.

Partnerships with institutions like the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture will expand educational programming and public storytelling, tying Spokane’s history more closely into everyday community life.

South Spokane

On the South Hill and beyond, schools and parks will also see significant reinvestment. Adams Elementary will be completely rebuilt, with a Boys and Girls Club and multi-use fieldhouse integrated into the design.

Chase Middle School will receive a combined nutrition and learning commons — a space that doubles as a cafeteria and library, open to both students and the public.

Grant Park in the Perry District is slated for a full renovation, adding a splash pad, improved courts, ADA features, and better parking. Hart Field, Jefferson Elementary, and the Southeast Sports Complex will gain lighted, all-weather athletic fields. Along High Drive, new trail signage will help visitors gauge distances and difficulty, making recreation more accessible to all.

Citywide Impact

Across Spokane, three entirely new parks are planned: Meadowglen in the northwest, one in east central near Shiloh Hills, and another in Vinegar Flats within Latah Valley. More than 85 restrooms will be renovated, over 50 playgrounds updated, and every quadrant of the city will gain dedicated park ranger patrols.

Outdated irrigation systems will be replaced, trailheads will be redesigned for safety, and wildfire mitigation measures will be implemented in parks near natural buffers. Even school playfields will open for public use after hours, blurring the line between education and recreation space.

The city is also streamlining how facilities can be reserved, creating a single portal for booking everything from park shelters to school gyms.

The Bigger Picture

At roughly $8 a month for the average homeowner, Together Spokane is being pitched as an investment in basics — not luxuries. New parks, safer restrooms, modernized schools, expanded sports facilities, and equitable access to recreation are all part of the package.

The initiative also signals something bigger: Spokane’s willingness to coordinate across agencies, secure private partnerships, and plan for 20 years of growth. For families, homeowners, and anyone considering moving to Spokane, it’s a statement that the city is ready to invest in itself.

If approved, Together Spokane could reshape how the city feels, functions, and grows — ensuring that the next generation inherits not just updated schools and parks, but a stronger, more connected community.