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Two Spokane parks board candidates highlight bathrooms, River vision and inclusion in interviews
Summary
At an agenda review, the Spokane City Council interviewed Dean Davis and Greg Gordon for parks board openings; Davis emphasized more downtown public restrooms and language inclusivity for park information, while Gordon highlighted a Spokane River vision and an ethnobotanical garden project seeking funding.
Dean Davis, a longtime Spokane resident and commercial photographer, told the City Council he wants to "have a hand in continuing to shepherd the parks" and stressed improving access and facilities.
"There are not enough public bathrooms in Downtown Spokane," Davis said, describing repeated instances of people lacking access and calling new, well‑maintained public restrooms a priority. He also said he would push for greater language inclusivity so non‑English speakers can access park information.
Greg Gordon, a professor of environmental studies and sciences at Gonzaga University, described a decade of work toward a Spokane River vision and urged the parks board to partner with the county, conservation district and local nonprofits on river‑focused planning. He said a lost NEH grant set back an ethnobotanical discovery garden at Wild Horse Park and that he is seeking new funding avenues.
Gordon said neighborhood "pocket parks" deserve tailored approaches — some parks for dogs, others for natural play — and suggested reusing underused city land such as abandoned streets and alleys to expand green space.
Why it matters: The council is vetting members who will shape park investments, levy project priorities and partnerships with nonprofit and regional stakeholders. Candidates’ questions about maintenance costs, language access and conservation point to likely future priorities for the parks board.
What’s next: Council indicated candidates will hear from the administration about appointment steps; no appointment vote took place at the agenda review.
Attributions: Dean Davis and Greg Gordon spoke in the council’s public interview segments; councilors asked follow‑up questions but did not take a vote on appointments during this meeting.
