Lake Spokane Parks & Recreation Ribbon Cutting
In 2005 it was made known that 4000 acres of Washington State Department of Natural Resource Trust lands in the southern part of Stevens County would be going up for sale to possibly build a huge housing development.
Many phone calls and meetings took place between then Stevens County Commissioner Tony Delgado, Senator Bob Morton and Representative Bob Sump, State Lands Commissioner Doug Southerland and Darrell Olson of Washington Land Exchange who arranges the sale of trust lands. The idea of setting aside a parcel of land so the local community could form a park and recreation area was discussed.
In October 2007 State Lands Commissioner Doug Southerland informed the Stevens County Commissioners that a parcel of land consisting of 40 acres had been set aside for the Lake Spokane community. The caveat was that there would be three years given to pay for the parcel and the cost could be as high as $5,000.00 per acre.
After seeking input from neighboring counties it was found that forming a park district could negate the need to pay for the land. By forming the district and having the voters approve a separate taxing district and then electing a board of commissioners, the citizens of our area now have a fifty-year lease on a 40-acre parcel of property that will become a community park that will be free for all to enjoy.