Trail Projects

Stewardship of the Spokane River Centennial Trail

Your Spokane River Centennial Trail is a Recreational Asset of Statewide Significance and the backbone of eastern Washington's trail system. Since its beginning, the trail has been built, repaired, and improved through a partnership of local governments, Washington State Parks, and the generosity of community members.

Originally planned as a fully separated Class 1 trail, challenges like private property, embankments, and limited rights-of-way created gaps. In 2007, a bequest from Spokane educator Louis Livingston and support from the Avista Foundation funded the Centennial Trail Gap Study, which identified solutions and has guided much of the work that continues today.

Friends of the Centennial Trail advocates for jurisdictions — Washington State Parks, Spokane County, City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Liberty Lake — to prioritize gap completion, resurfacing, and better directional signs. Thanks to donors and volunteers, many major projects have been completed, and others are in progress.

Projects Identified, Underway, Or Completed

Listed from east to west, here is a snapshot of projects identified/underway/completed by the Centennial Trail Coordinating Council:

Valley (Stateline to Upriver/SCC)

Stateline Gateway Park - Mile 1 - Completed 2014
The trail was realigned under a new bridge on East Appleway Lane, bringing it closer to the Spokane River. Friends of the Centennial Trail contributed $17,950 to the project.

Sullivan Bridge Realignment - Mile 9 - Completed 2016
The City of Spokane Valley routed the trail safely underneath the new bridge to improve access and separation from vehicle traffic.

Barker Road Flood Repairs - Mile 6.5-7.5 - Completed 2018
FEMA funding supported restoration after high-water damage from 2017 flooding along this river-adjacent section.

Spokane River Loop Trail Connections - Miles 7 & 11 - Planned
Spokane Valley has planned a five-mile paved trail on the north bank of the Spokane River, connecting via suspension bridges at Flora Road and Trent Avenue. A new trailhead south of Trent Avenue will serve as a future junction to the Appleway Trail.

Asphalt Overlay Phase 1 - Miles 1-14 - Completed Spring 2024
The first 14 miles received new asphalt surfacing, safety upgrades, and kiosk renovations, completed three months ahead of schedule. Friends of the Centennial Trail contributed $10,000 to the project.

Argonne Gap Alternatives Study - Mile 14-16 - Engineering Study Underway
Spokane County is analyzing safer trail alternatives where the trail currently shares roadway space with Farr Road and Upriver Drive. This effort includes redesign planning at the busy Argonne and Upriver intersection area.

Camp Sekani & John H. Shields Park Renovation - Mile 17 - Design & Permitting Underway
This Spokane County park, known for rock climbing and Beacon Hill trail access, is undergoing major access and amenity improvements. Construction is scheduled for late 2025 into 2026, with Friends pledging $15,000 in support.

Greene Street Trailhead / Children of the Sun Trail Connection - Mile 19 - Construction Underway
This major trail convergence point is receiving upgraded crossings, trailhead elements, and new future routing connections near Spokane Community College.

Urban Core (Mission Park through Downtown to Kendall Yards)

Upriver Park Transformation - Mile 20 - Completed 2022
Completed by Avista in 2022, Upriver Park showcases exemplary stewardship of land between the Centennial Trail and Spokane River as a healthy riparian habitat and greenway. The project features a widened trail, trailhead parking, open sightlines, and safe new river access for the public.

Wayfinding Installation - Completed 2014
Directional decals and signage were added between Mission Park and TJ Meenach Bridge to improve navigation for new users across a six-mile span.

Logan Square Activation & Safety Improvements - Mile 21 - Planning Underway
Planning is underway to activate and maintain the vacant lot between Superior and Columbus Streets to improve safety and usability along the Centennial Trail. The area currently faces issues with illegal camping and overgrowth, and advocates are urging the City of Spokane to partner with nearby property owners to maintain a clean, open, and safe riparian corridor.

Don Kardong Bridge Renovation Complete - Mile 21 - Completed 2022
The $3.4 million renovation of this key University District connector was completed ahead of schedule in 2022, delivering new decking, guardrails, lighting, counters, and safety bollards. Friends of the Centennial Trail contributed to early design funding, with major support from the City of Spokane, Gonzaga University, Bloomsday, and other local partners.

Mission Gap Phase 1 - Miles 20.5 - 26.5 - Completed 2018
Trail visibility and safety were improved with new sidewalks, a pedestrian refuge island, and clearer wayfinding at the Mission Avenue corridor.

Division to Washington Street / Convention Center Rebuild - Mile 22 - Completed 2013
The trail was completely rebuilt with new landscape, public access points, signage, and over 75 native trees to enhance Riverfront Park connectivity.

Riverfront Park Redevelopment & Trail Enhancements - Mile 22 - Completed 2024
The Centennial Trail now spans a fully renewed park corridor, including improved sightlines, access, and upgraded public space throughout the former Expo ’74 grounds.

Post Street Bridge - Mile 23 - Completed 2024
Trail access was expanded to both sides of the newly reconstructed bridge, offering wide pedestrian lanes and open-view lookouts over Spokane Falls.

South Gorge Trail Loop - Mile 23 - Completed 2024
This long-anticipated loop route now connects Riverfront Park to Peaceful Valley and Sandifur Bridge, creating a signature river-level 5K urban loop experience.

Veteran’s Park Gap - Mile 23 - Completed
The Centennial Trail has been successfully re-routed to improve connectivity from downtown Spokane through West Central to Riverside State Park, now traveling through Riverfront Park, across Post Street Bridge, and through Veteran’s Park to Kendall Yards. This project was completed in partnership with WQTIF, Greenstone Corporation, Kendall Yards, and the City of Spokane.

Kendall Yards Gap - Mile 23 - Completed
Opened in 2013, the Kendall Yards extension fulfilled the Olmsted Brothers’ historic vision by connecting the Centennial Trail from Monroe to the Sandifur Bridge and Summit Boulevard, creating a vital northwest pedestrian and commuter link to downtown Spokane. This transformative project by Greenstone and the City of Spokane established a vibrant network of walkable streets, plazas, and open spaces that now seamlessly connect homes, businesses, and neighborhoods to the city center.

Sandifur Memorial Bridge - Mile 24 - Completed in 2004
The 600-foot Sandifur Memorial Bridge spans the Spokane River to link High Bridge Park to the Centennial Trail at Kendall Yards, creating a crucial westward connection. Funded through a broad coalition of public agencies and community donors, this project helped lay the groundwork for future cross-state trail connectivity across Washington.

Fish Lake Trail Connection - Mile 24 - Project design & funding underway
City of Spokane has selected the “Orange Route” as the best way to connect the Centennial Trail and Fish Lake Trail and will pursue grant funding in early 2022.

Bridge Avenue to Boone - Mile 25 - Completed
This completed section carries the Centennial Trail from Bridge Avenue through an abandoned Great Northern rail bed along N. Summit Boulevard, then gently climbs north to the Summit and Boone intersection. The result is a beautifully crafted, scenic stretch of trail with stunning views. Thanks to the City of Spokane.

Pettet Drive / Doomsday Hill Redesign - Mile 26 - Completed
The trail was fully separated from traffic with new asphalt, clearer markings, and safety enhancements along the iconic Bloomsday race climb.

Riverside State Park & Northwest (TJ Meenach to Nine Mile)

Carlson Road Realignment - Mile 37 - Completed 2021
A narrow shared roadway segment was replaced with a new separated 10-foot asphalt trail for safer walking and biking access.

Northwest Extension to Nine Mile - Miles 37.9-40.1 - Completed 2021
A 2.2-mile natural-setting expansion extended the trail through wooded terrain to Nine Mile Recreation Area, greatly expanding recreational connectivity.

Asphalt Overlay Phase 2 - Miles 27-31 - Planning & Funding Underway for 2027
Washington State Parks is developing a grant-funded overlay and safety upgrade from south TJ Meenach Bridge to the equestrian area in Riverside State Park. Friends of the Centennial Trail have pledged $10,000 in matching funds toward the application.

Full Trail Initiatives

Surface Repairs - Completed 2017
Over $350,000 was invested to seal cracks, repair tree root damage, and fix surface gaps, preparing the trail for long-term health and future overlays.