John H. Shields Park
If the name isn't familiar to you, you can be sure you've seen, visited, or passed by John H. Shields Park. Also known as "Minnehaha Rocks," this County Park borders Upriver Drive near the City of Spokane's Upriver Dam. The Centennial Trail also passes this park on its 39-mile journey through Spokane County. While historically known as an easily accessed, centrally located climbing area with many long-established routes with varying difficulties, the popularity of this park has grown more recently as the area around it continues to become more urbanized and as the Beacon Hill Trail System has exploded in popularity.
The western half of John H. Shields Park was originally acquired in 1987 with donated funds from and leadership by the Spokane Mountaineers. with park improvements on the eastern half being completed in the early-mid 1990s. Since that time, not much (physically) has changed other than the addition of parkland to the north and west, connecting the park legally to the Beacon Hill Trail System. The park currently consists of an unimproved gravel parking area on the west half of the park, a vault toilet, and a paved parking lot on the east half of the park. In addition, there are limited asphalt paths and treated timber steps.
Many of these park improvements have degraded over time. In addition, the Department has experienced an uptick in negative activity at this park - to large degree illegal dumping. Based on conversations with user groups, this negative activity has also had the effect of discouraging positive public use of the park. Given these factors, Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf has moved forward with developing a draft conceptual master plan (See below) for the park to envision proposed enhancements and ready the project for funding as opportunities become available. The master plan's proposed changes to John H. Shields Park are largely driven by four primary goals:
o Celebrate the park's role and history in the recreation community.
o Enhance connections between the park, adjacent neighborhoods, and area park facilities / trails.
o Create an inviting, function interface between the park's "front country" and "backcountry."
o Serve the park's current user groups while looking to serve a wider demographic spectrum (e.g. youth)
o Reduce negative activity at the park.
Project Timeline:
Master Plan Development Phase - April 2021 - April 2022
Funding Phase (Proposed) - February 2022 - June 2023
Construction Phase (Proposed) - Fall 2023 - Spring 2024Project Budget:
The Master Plan component is being funded through Real Estate Excise Tax ($300,000). Construction funding (estimated at $800,000+) is being sought through a combination of private donations and grants. One of the first non-profits to step forward was the Jess Roskelley Foundation, which committed $100,000 to the proposed children’s play area.Project Update (3/29/23)
Spokane County has partnered with City of Spokane Parks & Recreation on a Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) grant (Land and Water Conservation Fund) to help fund to the renovation of John H. Shields Park and Camp Sekani Park focused on parking and access enhancements. The Shields Park component would implement the conceptual master plan as envisioned (see below). The project is ranked #5 out of 25 application in the Land and Water Conservation Fund category, meaning funding will likely occur in 2023 with construction anticipated in 2024. Spokane County and the City of Spokane have executed an Interlocal Agreement to formalize the partnership. The City is currently soliciting for a design team to develop construction documents and bid specifications in preparation for putting the project out to bid for construction.The Jess Roskelley Foundation Partners (7/01/2024)
Spokane County Parks asked the Jess Roskelley Foundation for a donation in December 2020 to purchase climbing features for an interactive children’s playground for the renovation at John H. Shields Park. The Jess Roskelley Foundation board authorized a pledge of $100,000 for the playground. Through grants, annual donors, and fundraisers, the Foundation raised the funds. We want to thank our corporate, individual, and non-profit donors for their generous gifts and for believing in our mission: Lowa Boots and Lukins & Annis (corporate); Judy Hutchins, Harold Fix, Chris and Michelle Kopczynski, Eric and Nikki Zimmerman, Rick Ridgeway, Phyillis Holmes, Gene and Carol Sharratt, Lori Carpenter, Rich and Sarah Bakes, Mike and Kendra Maurer, Kerry Koritko Family Trust, Chris Marr, Dan and Sherry Schnell, Jeff and Kae Johnson, Kati and Dwight Hoenig, and David and Ann Martin (individuals); and Spokane Parks Foundation and Spokane Mountaineers (non-profits).
John H. Shields Park Major SponsorsLowa Boots and Lukins & Annis | Judy Hutchins | Harold Fix | Chris and Michelle Kopczynski | Eric and Nikki Zimmerman | Rick Ridgeway | Phyillis Holmes | Gene and Carol Sharratt | Lori Carpenter | Rich and Sarah Bakes | Mike and Kendra Maurer | Kerry Koritko Family Trust | Chris Marr | Dan and Sherry Schnell | Jeff and Kae Johnson | Kati and Dwight Hoenig | David and Ann Martin | Spokane Parks Foundation and Spokane Mountaineers
Thank you to all our sponsors!