Long-awaited Landings Park open
Bruce Howard with the Avista Corporation (front left,) and Post Falls City Councilman Joe Malloy (front right) perform the ribbon cutting at the Landings Park dedication Friday. From the rear left looking on are Jayson Cornwell with the City of Post Falls Parks and Recreation Commission, and Dave Fair, director of Post Falls Parks and Recreation.
ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT/Press
Boy Scout 213 presented the colors at the Landings Park dedication Friday. Prior to the ceremony they took time to play a few games. From left: David Anfang, Oakley Lohman, Wyatt Laiva and Matthew Anfang.
The amphitheater at the Landings Park in Post Falls. directly adjacent to Falls Park, he venue also features a large patio, views of the Spokane River and Post Falls Dam and a promenade that will ultimately follow the river all the way to Q'emiln Park.
POST FALLS — A new city park along the Spokane River and Post Falls Dam has become a reality after 20 years of planning. More than 100 people gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Landings Park.
“It’s just the latest example of a long-standing partnership,” said Post Falls Councilman Joe Malloy. “There’ll be much more in the future.”
The 3-acre park is adjacent to Falls Park overlooking the Spokane River and the Post Falls Dam. The result of a collaboration between the city and Avista Utilities, it features a large patio area with numerous electrical hook-ups, and a large amphitheater.
A promenade walkway will eventually lead from The Landings, along the river all the way to Q’emiln Park.
One of the things the city of Post Falls does exceptionally well, said Jayson Cornwell with the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Commission, is to make every one of its many parks different from the next.
“The Landings is a good example of multi-use,” Cornwell said.
The patio area is reinforced and designed to occasionally serve as a crane pad, which Avista will use to more easily maintain the dam.
“The crane pad can hold a staged crane to reach the north channel of the dam,” said Bruce Howard with the Avista Corporation.
Previously, Avista performed maintenance, making a difficult entry through Falls Park, Howard said. The project also allowed Avista to install additional boater safety cable anchors to warn boaters of the dangers of the dam.
The design allows for safe staging of equipment and the means to keep the public safe, during maintenance operations, Howard said.
Though the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce didn’t directly assist with the project, chamber president Christina Petit said they’re looking forward to “taking advantage of the space and location.”
From July 13 through Aug. 17, every Wednesday the chamber will host a farmers market at the Landings, among many other plans, Petit said.
“This is tremendously beneficial for both the city and Avista,” Malloy said. “A beautiful park right on the river for very little tax dollars.”
Boy Scout Troop 213 presented the colors and singer Rich Earls sang the national anthem. The Landings is at 305 W. Fourth Ave.
