Spokane Valley previews packed summer: camps expand, pools stagger openings and farmers market moves

Spokane Valley Parks & Recreation presented a preview of its spring and summer programming on May 5, 2026, highlighting new systems and expanded offerings for families.

Recreation Coordinator Kendall May said the department launched a new online registration system (CivicRec) and increased summer day-camp capacity from 56 to 80 campers, with two weeks already at capacity. May outlined special events — including an America250 picnic (May 30), a mobile Spokane Symphony "Bayto van" concert (June 20) and a partnership-driven park program that provides free meals for children under 18 via the East Valley School District.

May said the city’s three pools (Park Road, Terrace View and Valley Mission) will open on staggered dates (one on June 15, others the following week) to aid staff training, and that sponsorships (Numerica, Pool World) will support free-swim Fridays and Sundays. She reported more than 800 online swim registrations the week registration opened and over 1,000 swim-lesson slots for the summer.

May also described partnerships with local organizations (Spokane Valley Kiwanis, Spokane County Library District, Spokane Parks Foundation, 4 Roots) for movies in the park, the Farmers Market relocation to the scale house (Fridays, June 5–Aug 28), and new contracted offerings (archery, adult dance, kayak/paddleboard trips). She said the department secured scholarships covering 50% of a week’s camp for about 20 children so far.

Council thanked staff for the update and had no substantive objections; May will return to council in the fall with season outcomes.