About Friends of the Centennial Trail
Preserving and enhancing 40 miles of the Spokane River Centennial Trail through citizen advocacy, stewardship, and community support since 1986.
How It Started
How does a region with a river at its heart create a lasting legacy of health, recreation, and community? It builds the Spokane River Centennial Trail.
In 1986, a group of inspired citizens — including Don Kardong, Denny Ashlock, Sam Angove, Dean Moorehouse, Norma Ventris, Phyllis Campbell, and Joe Custer — unveiled a plan to create a paved trail along the Spokane River. Soon joined by Tom Garrett, Tom Harman, and Bob Dellwo, they worked with Congressman Tom Foley and other supporters to secure funding. By 1991, the Centennial Trail Steering Committee formally incorporated as a nonprofit, officially becoming Friends of the Centennial Trail.
Today, the Spokane River Centennial Trail is administered by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and maintained through a cooperative agreement with Riverside State Park, the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Liberty Lake, Spokane County, and Friends of the Centennial Trail.
Our Mission
Friends of the Centennial Trail assists and encourages the development and maintenance of the Spokane River Centennial Trail, adjacent parklands, and connecting trails.
Our Vision
We envision a thriving trail that connects neighborhoods and natural spaces, inspires outdoor adventure, and stands as a source of pride for generations.
We believe citizen advocacy plays a vital role in the care and keeping of the trail. We encourage managing jurisdictions to prioritize maintenance and completion, honor the diverse forms of recreation the trail supports, and celebrate its role as the “backbone” of our regional trail system — connecting people to the outdoors through open spaces, urban areas, and Riverside State Park.
Why It Matters
The Spokane River Centennial Trail is more than a pathway. It is a community asset that supports recreation, tourism, health, and quality of life.
- National Recognition: Designated a National Recreation Trail and one of Spokane’s top three attractions.
- Community Impact: Welcomes 2.5 million annual users, with 11% commuting to work by bike or foot.
- Economic Value: Contributes $1.7M to the local economy annually, generates $1.6M in health savings, and supports nearly $600,000 in labor income.
- Quality of Life: Trails are ranked by homebuyers as one of the most desired neighborhood amenities, increasing property values and strengthening communities.
- Engagement: Supported by 400 annual volunteers, nearly $200,000 in Trail Builders Fund donations, and thousands of active members and supporters online.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate community leaders who bring expertise in health, business, recreation, and stewardship to guide the Centennial Trail forward.
Executive Board Members
- Chairperson: Brian Vandenburg, HDR, Inc.
- Vice-Chair: Andy Anderson, Itron
- Secretary: Lori Barlow, City of Spokane Valley
- Treasurer: Matt Shuster, AgWest Farm Credit
At-Large Officers
- Samantha Hennessy, Spokane Regional Health District
- Kate Hudson, Visit Spokane
- Sally Jane McLaughlin, TC Energy
Members
- Jami Hayes, Spokane County Public Works
- Jim O'Hare, retired Mental Health Counselor
- Nikki Penna, USL Spokane
- Geoff Pinnock, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Ex Officio
- Mike Merritt, retired CPA
Washington State Parks & Recreation Partners
- Lara Gricar, Region Manager
- Justin Krogstad, Area Manager
Staff
- Jen Westra — Executive Director
Honors and Awards
Friends of the Centennial Trail has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for its leadership in recreation, stewardship, and community impact.
Highlights include:
- National Recreation Trail designation by the U.S. Department of the Interior (2010)
- Community Millennium Trail designation by The White House Millennium Council (2000)
- Excellence on the Waterfront Top Honor Award, The Waterfront Center (1996)
- Multiple “Best Of” awards from The Inlander Readers Poll, including Best Biking Trail, Best Jogging Trail, and Best Place to Walk Your Dog
- Trail of the Month by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (2014)
- Spokane Mayor’s Urban Design Awards for Heritage and Merit (2015)