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Commissioners direct staff to seek rescission to keep Gateway Park dog park open while long‑range planning proceeds
Summary
Parks staff urged the county to rescind termination of its Gateway Park agreement with DOT and continue operating the Patricia Sim dog park for another year while state and local partners undertake a 12‑month master planning process; estimated operating cost is about $32,000 a year.
Spokane County parks staff asked the board to rescind the county’s termination notice for the Gateway Park lease and continue operating the Patricia Sim dog park under the existing agreement while the state and partners complete a broader 12‑month planning effort for the site.
Doug, speaking for county parks, said Washington State Department of Transportation regional staff and other stakeholders have offered to lead a planning process that would take about 12 months and study multiple interests for the parcel, including a boat inspection station, trailhead use and potential future transit facilities. Parks staff said the simplest interim path to preserve public access is to rescind the termination and continue the current maintenance‑in‑lieu‑of‑payment arrangement for another year.
Staff estimated operating the dog park under current service levels would cost about $32,000 annually and suggested alternatives if funding is limited, including shortening the season by two weeks, relocating the dog park onto county‑owned acreage (22 acres and a 2.5‑acre parcel were mentioned), or reallocating unspent salary savings within parks to cover shortfalls. Several commissioners supported rescinding the termination to avoid disrupting park users and asked staff to prepare a rescission letter for the board’s next agenda so the county can maintain operations while exploring long‑term options.
Commissioners also instructed staff to cost out the option of moving the dog park onto county property and to coordinate with DOT and other partners about long‑term land‑use plans; staff said a rescission letter could be presented at the board’s next available meeting to keep the dog park open through the planning period.
