Beacon Hill public meeting and comments

(from your friendly advocates who have been working on preserving and expanding public access/trails at Beacon for 4+ years now...)


Please take the time to submit a comment in support of selecting the Beacon Hill group for Conservation purchase, or make the time to come to the public meeting to express your views. Whether you are a hiker, biker, neighbor, runner, or just enjoy the beauty of an undeveloped ridge right in town… this is the time to speak up. Please forward this notice to any neighbor/friend who appreciates Beacon Hill.


Talking points, if you need them... notice the emphasis on open space and not cool DH trails


- “Upriver Park” is in the 1908 City Parks Plan for Spokane written up by the Olmstead Bros.

- Purchase of all 10 applications would link 5 parks ( Centennial Trail, Camp Sekani, Shields Park, Minnehaha Park and Esmerelda Park)

- Area is at very high risk for development ( all parcels being submitted are owned by developers)

- Unique opportunity to acquire close in open space, easily accessible to NE Spokane

- Beacon Hill is the last undeveloped ridgeline in the City

- Unique opportunity to acquire wildlife habitat that link to noted wildlife travel corridors


Here is the link for public comment on Conservation Futures nominations. Please note there are 10 different nominations for Beacon Hill as a whole.

The Conservation Futures nominations and a comment form are now online:
http://www.spokanecounty.org/parks/content.aspx?c=1839

The public meeting is 10/12/2010, Tuesday, 6 PM, at the IMAX. There will be free parking at Lot 2, Mallon and Howard.

Bump: Come and be counted. No public speaking required. They will do head count to see what parcels people are most interested in. Please take the time if you care about getting permanent access to Beacon HIll.

Another Bump. Another meeting. Please show up or take the time to submit comments. Right now the selections are too far down the list for funds to be available for purchase.

see the below for more info and talking points. You can send an email up until Midnight, Tuesday.

More - there is another public meeting. We need to get the Beacon selections moved up on the list. More input either at the next meeting or by email is needed.

Here's the info:. Read it for talkign points. Your input COUNTS. Please take the time to show up or submit a comment.



If you are interested in Beacon Hill and the Conservation Futures application for acquiring additional land in the Beacon area we desperately need you by attending the Spokane County Commissioners meeting Tuesday December 14 5:30PM in the Public Works Building, Commissioners Assembly Room, 1116 W. Broadway.

There are two parcels from the Beacon application that made the top 10. They are number 9 and 10 if these parcels are not moved up on the list they will be very hard to fund since the top three on the list will use up the majority of the available funds.


The Beacon parcels are unique since they are so close to the urban center of the city and that they are at a considerable threat for development and that losing this opportunity will be a devastating loss for the citizens of Spokane County and Beacon Hill.


Some of the key issues the Spokane County Commissioners need to consider include:

The recreational value of the parcels which includes how these properties provide for passive recreation opportunity for countless people.
How the nominated parcels connect to Minnehaha Park, Shields Rock and Camp Sekani. The proximity this area has to a natural environment to such a large population base.
This proximity is a great investment and a benefit of the Conservation Futures for the majority of those residents funding the Conservation Futures program.
This open area is threatened and once developed will be a huge loss to the people of Spokane County.


If you can not make the meeting an email to the Spokane County Commissioners will help state the case for moving these parcels up the priority list.

You can email the commissioners following this link http://www.spokanecounty.org/contactus.aspx?d=12 but the email must be sent before Tuesday December 14 so it can be entered into public record.


Please also spread this email out to your contacts that are interested in Beacon area and the importance of this area.


If you have any questions please contact me at maho@spokanecity.org or by phone at 710-7760.


Thanks for your help in this vital and valuable project.

Mike Aho