Falling for restored Falls Park

POST FALLS — Falls Park, closed since 2023, officially reopened Wednesday. 

Locals Rebecca and Jordan Matthews brought one-month-old Rowan to take his first stroller ride around the iconic gathering place, with views of the Spokane River, a fishing pond and historical hiking trails, 

For decades, families like the Matthews have flocked to Falls Park for outdoor activities like hiking, running and biking. For many, it's where they caught their first fish.

“When Rowan’s walking, we’re definitely bringing him back here,” Rebecca said. “It’s fabulous.” 

Several years ago, Post Falls Parks and Recreation and Avista discovered that the Chinese mystery snail had found its way into Falls Park Pond and was affecting the pond's ecology. After several failed attempts to remove the snails over a few years, officials decided reconstruction was in order. 

“We worked with Parks and Rec to identify that problem, and mitigate it. We had extensive efforts to do that but the infestation just continued,” said Avista Communications Officer Kirstin O'Connor Giampietri.

Avista worked with Land Expressions to design and build out the project.   

The final product is a 22-acre park with new and refurbished hiking trails; a park pond reconstructed from the ground up; new and expanded spaces near the pond; several fishing spots; and, for much of the year, a view of the Spokane River as it flows through the Avista dam. 

 “It looks much cleaner, very family friendly and much bigger,” Rebecca Matthews said.

Post Falls native Carli Cecil brought her daughter, Wynni, to enjoy the upgraded playground. She said she and her family were park regulars before much of it closed for reconstruction. 

“There’s trails for kids to bike on. People bring their fishing poles and fish in the pond. Couples can go take pictures, engagement photos. I had my graduation photos down there,” she said while pointing to a hiking trail that leads to the Spokane River bank. 

While she was adamant she loved the new park, she missed one thing about the old one. 

“I hope the ducks return,” she said. 

Laney Reidt and her children, Charmaine and Beckham, traveled from Spokane on Wednesday to visit the park for the first time as a family. She said having outdoor spaces for the public to enjoy is “super” important. 

“It’s very nice to get outside and enjoy the nice weather,” she said. “Especially before we move into wintertime.” 

Reidt said only one thing was missing from the new park. 

“It looks great, the waterfall and the bridge are super fun,” she said. “All they need are some fish in here.” 

    Located at 305 W 4th Ave, Falls Park is now completely open to the public.
  

    Karen Pham stopped to splash around in the new pond waterfall during an afternoon walk on Wednesday.
  

    Nadine Caufield, her dog Max and Rebecca and Jordan Matthews look into the water at one of the new fishing spots located around the pond during their stroll at Falls Park on Wednesday.