Trail Projects

Your Spokane River Centennial Trail is a Recreational Asset of Statewide Significance in Washington State  and backbone arterial of eastern Washington's recreational trail system.

While the Centennial Trail was originally conceived as consisting entirely of Class 1 Trail (12-foot trail discrete and separate from any adjacent roadways), private property issues, lack of available right-of-way, steep embankments and other limitations made this dream impossible.  As a result, Centennial Trail users were forced to share rights-of-way with motorized traffic on several sections of the trail.  In 2007, thanks to a generous bequest gift from retired Spokane educator and community philanthropist Mr. Louis Livingston, and the Avista Foundation, Friends of the Centennial Trail commissioned the Centennial Trail Gap Study.  It identified and motivated the process of eliminating trail gaps and provided a framework for our advocacy-centered mission.

Friends of the Centennial Trail encourage managing jurisdictions (Washington State Parks and Recreation, Spokane County, City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley, and City of Liberty Lake) to prioritize gap completion, asphalt upgrades and better directional wayfinding signs — and lobby to get them funded.

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

  • Miles 1-14 Asphalt Overlay Phase 1 (project completed!)
    In record time from April to June, 2024, the first 14 miles received a new layer of asphalt, safety improvements, and kiosk renovations. The project was funded by a State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office grant with matching funds provided by State Parks, the Centennial Trail Coordinating Council, and Friends of the Centennial Trail.  Thanks to generous community support we pledged $10,000 to the project from our Trail Builder's Fund.  Poe Asphalt Paving Company and all subcontractors delivered an exceptional project three months early!
  • Miles 27-31 Asphalt Overlay Phase 2 (planning and funding underway!)
    Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is working to develop a Recreation and Conservation Office grant application to fund an asphalt overlay, safety improvements, and kiosk renovations for the Centennial Trail from south TJ Meenach Bridge to the Equestrian Area in Riverside State Park.  Friends of the Centennial Trail have pledged $10,000 from our Trail Builder's Fund toward this grant application and vital project.  Successful funding could allow construction to begin in 2027.
  • Miles 1-39 Centennial Trail Surface Repairs (project completed!)
    In 2016 & 2017, over $350,000 was invested to seal cracks, repair root damage and surface gaps. This project was funded by the Centennial Trail Coordinating Council and Washington Parks & Recreation Commission.  These repaired surfaces are now ready for an asphalt overlay.
  • Mile 1 Stateline Gateway Park (project completed!)
    At the Washington/Idaho border, Spokane County realigned the Centennial Trail, moving it under a new bridge on East Appleway Lane and closer to the Spokane River. Friends of the Centennial Trail donated $17,950 to Spokane County for the project.
  • Mile 6.5-7.5 Barker Road area flood repair (project completed!)
    FEMA funding was obtained by Washington Park and Recreation Commission to repair flood damage from 2017 high water. Repair work completed in 2018.
  • Miles 7 & 11 Spokane River Loop Trail Connections
    City of Spokane Valley has planned a 5-mile paved non-motorized trail along Spokane River’s north bank that will connect with the Centennial Trail by suspension bridges at Flora Road and Trent Avenue, just east of Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. A Trailhead will be added just south of Trent Avenue. Flora Road will one day connect to the Appleway Trail.
  • Mile 9 Sullivan Bridge Replacement (project completed!)
    Our thanks to the City of Spokane Valley for realigning the Centennial Trail under the new bridge in 2016.
  • Mile 14-16 Argonne Gap (study underway!)
    From Donkey Islands Trailhead to Boulder Beach, two miles of the Centennial Trail share the shoulder of Farr Road and Upriver Drive.  Spokane County has received engineering funding for the intersection of Argonne Road and Upriver Drive and hopes to kick-off a Centennial Trail alternatives analysis in conjunction with the intersection project in early 2023.
  • Mile 17 Camp Sekani & John H. Shields Park Renovation (project design & permitting underway!)
    Also known as "Minnehaha Rocks," this Spokane County Park borders Upriver Dam, the Centennial Trail across Upriver Drive, and offers popular access to rock climbing and Beacon Hill Trail System.  Renovations are needed to upgrade user access and bring a more positive public use of the park.  Construction will occur in late 2024 through 2025.  Friends of the Centennial Trail have pledged $15,000 in matching grant funds in support of the project.  Learn more
  • Mile 19 Greene Street Trailhead (construction underway!)
    US395 North Spokane Corridor from Francis Avenue, south to I-90 includes Children of the Sun Trail.  It will intersect with Spokane River Centennial Trail here.  This project scope includes everything from Carlisle Street on the north to Mission Avenue on the south. Greene Street Trailhead will not change.  A crosswalk to the trailhead will be added on Upriver Drive.  Two ways to depart Children of the Sun Trail on the north bank:  stairs with a gutter for bike wheels and a pathway to Ralph Street.  
    On the south side of the river at Spokane Community College, a trailhead with informational kiosk and benches will be built.  Children of the Sun Trail will meet the Millwood Trail to the east, Tuffy’s Trail to the west, and continue through neighborhoods until it reaches I-90. It will not parallel the elevated highway. 
    The contract has been awarded for a design build of the Children of the Sun Bridge.  Construction began in July 2023 and will take three years.  WSDOT estimates the highway span will be completed before the trail bridge.
  • Mile 20.5 to 26.5 Wayfinding (project completed!)
    This six-mile span had no directional signs and many users had no idea where to access the Centennial Trail.  Friends of the Centennial Trail provided a solution and donated $9,200 to City of Spokane Parks and Recreation for thermoplastic asphalt decals and signs for the Centennial Trail between Mission Park and TJ Meenach Bridge in 2014.
  • Mile 20 Upriver Park (project complete!)
    Avista's development of Upriver Park in 2022 set a new standard for how the land between the Centennial Trail and Spokane River can be stewarded as greenway, healthy wildlife habitat, and riparian area for native plants.  Thoughtfully designed with a wider Centennial Trail, trailhead parking, open views, and new public access to the Spokane River, many Spokane residents and visitors will feel safe and enjoy this span of the Centennial Trail! 
  • Mile 20 Mission Gap (Phase 1 completed!)
    Crossing Mission Avenue and continuing east on Upriver Drive can be a safety challenge. From Mission Park, Centennial Trail users are faced with BNSF railroad track crossing, a challenging pedestrian crossing and a tight right turn next to congested west-bound traffic to reach Upriver Drive. In 2012, the City of Spokane studied the gap and presented conceptual designs. The final plan was divided into three phases and endorsed by the City of Spokane Park Board.
    • Phase 1: The Centennial Trail was separated from the Mission Park parking lot.  A new pedestrian refuge island within the Mission Avenue crossing at Perry Street, new sidewalks and wayfinding signs were added. The Spokane Regional Transportation Council funded $443,250 for the project and we contributed $18,500 in matching funds from our Trail Builder’s Fund. The project was completed in 2018.
    • Phase 2: Centennial Trail bridge over Mission Avenue.  City Council has approved an intracity loan of $1 million for the project. Total project cost is estimated at $2.5 million and Friends of the Centennial Trail plans to commit matching funds.
  • Mile 21 Logan Square (project planning underway!)
    The empty lot between N. Superior Street and N. Columbus Street, east of Centennial Trail Hamilton Street Overpass and west of Iron Bridge, needs activation and maintenance.  We encourage City of Spokane to enter into a maintenance agreement with interested adjacent property owners.  Between Logan Square and Mission Park, illegal camping is rampant along the Spokane River.  This needs to become a well-maintained riparian area and safe span of the Centennial Trail where shrubs and trees are trimmed for open line of sight between 2' and 6' from the ground and garbage clean-up is done regularly.
  • Mile 21 Don Kardong Bridge (project complete!)
    The $3.4 million renovation of this vital University District connector bridge in downtown Spokane included new bridge decking, guardrails, lighting system, bike/pedestrian counter, and bollards. Construction was completed in 2022 by Garco Construction on budget and ahead of schedule.  Friends of the Centennial Trail funded nearly $55,000 for 30% conceptual design and are grateful to additional donors who made the project possible:  City of Spokane, Gonzaga University, the University District Public Development Authority, Lilac Bloomsday Association, state of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, and Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board.  See our April, 2023 Miracle Mile Medallion update here.
  • Mile 22
    • Spokane Convention Center Expansion (project completed!)
      From the Division Street Bridge to Washington Street Bridge, the Centennial Trail was completely rebuilt in 2013. Convention Center views showcase Riverfront Park, north bank of the river and Gonzaga University like never before. Extensive work to restore and landscape the Spokane River shoreline is beautiful; the addition of over 75 trees, hundreds of native plants, artwork and signs make this area flourish. Thanks to Land Expressions, Garco Construction, and the Spokane Public Facilities District for impressive work!
    • Riverfront Park Redevelopment (project completed!)
      The Centennial Trail in Riverfront Park now spans between King Cole Bridge at the Spokane Convention Center and Post Street.  Watch for new directional signs and lots of activity as you enjoy this beautifully renovated site of Expo '74.
    • South Gorge Trail (project completed!)  Opened in June, 2024, the South Gorge Trail completes a circle of the Great Gorge envisioned by the Olmstead Brothers.  Friends of the Centennial Trail pledged $5,000 toward construction, thanks to community donations to our Trail Builder's Fund. The views and access are stunning, and this presence in the heart of downtown Spokane is truly special.  This new "loop" is not to be missed:
      • From the Bloomsday Runner statues in Riverfront Park at Spokane Falls Blvd. and Post Street, head west past Spokane City Hall.  Veer right to the newly opened suspended walkway of the South Gorge Trail under the south end of Monroe Street Bridge.  From here, continue west on Main Avenue through Peaceful Valley, past Redband Park, to Sandifur Bridge.  Turn right onto the bridge, cross the Spokane River, and walk up the hill to meet the Centennial Trail in Kendall Yards at Mile 24.  To complete a 5K loop, head east through Kendall Yards, go under the north end of Monroe Street Bridge, through Veteran's Park to Bridge Avenue, and turn right to cross Post Street Bridge.  The Bloomsday Runner statues are one block south.
  • Mile 23
    • Post Street Bridge (project completed!)
      Built in 1917, renovation began in 2020 and the bridge reopened June 5, 2024.  This updated bridge provides one lane of northbound traffic in the center and Centennial Trail on the east and west sides, with open curb-to-railing views of the Spokane Falls.  Landscaped planters  separate traffic from Centennial Trail, bringing a lush look to the span across the Spokane River.  We were honored to serve as stakeholders, starting in 2015.  Many thanks to City of Spokane, Max J. Kuney Construction, and all subcontractors and workers who engineered and refurbished this important community connection. 
      • Veteran’s Park Gap (project completed!)
        To better connect the Centennial Trail from downtown Spokane through the West Central neighborhood to Riverside State Park, the Centennial Trail was re-routed through Riverfront Park and across the Post Street Bridge. The Trail turns left at Bridge Street, continues through Veteran’s Park and extends west under the Monroe Street Bridge to Kendall Yards. The work was done in partnership with the West Quadrant Tax Increment Finance District (WQTIF), Greenstone Corporation in conjunction with Kendall Yards and City of Spokane.
      • Kendall Yards Gap (project completed!)
        Kendall Yards revives the vision of the Olmsted Brothers Great Gorge Park, including the long-awaited extension of the Centennial Trail from Monroe to the Sandifur Bridge and Summit Boulevard to the northwest. The Centennial Trail is a vital “northwest connector” route to downtown Spokane for both recreational and get-to-work commuting. It provides framework for an interconnected network of pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, publicly accessible plazas and open space at Kendall Yards opened in 2013, connecting homes, businesses, and adjacent neighborhoods to downtown. This grand addition of our Centennial Trail is simply breathtaking! Thank you Greenstone and the City of Spokane for making this dream a reality!
  • South of Mile 24
    • Sandifur Memorial Bridge (project completed!)
      In 2004, this 600-foot pedestrian bridge was built over the Spokane River to connect High Bridge City Park to the Spokane Centennial Trail at the western edge of Kendall Yards. The $2.6 million project was funded by $930,000 from Washington Parks and Recreation, $500,000 each from the U.S. Forest Service and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, including grant money from the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program; nearly $600,000 in transportation enhancement grant money; and $176,000 from Metropolitan Mortgage Co., Spokane. The Spokane Parks Foundation gave $40,000 for the project, and other donations were from West Central Neighborhood, $20,000; Spokane Community Development Board, $12,000; Friends of the Centennial Trail, $9,400; Bloomsday Association, $1,644; Latah Neighborhood, $1,000; and Round and Round Production (Blazing Bike Club), $500.  The bridge makes the future cross-state recreational trail connection a possibility between the Spokane River Centennial Trail, 130-mile Columbia Plateau Trail State Park at Cheney and 113-mile Palouse to Cascades Trail from Vantage to North Bend.
    • Fish Lake Trail Connection (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.
  • Mile 25
    • Bridge Avenue to Boone (project completed!)
      From the west side of Kendall Yards at Bridge Avenue, the Centennial Trail descends to an abandoned Great Northern Railroad bed paralleling N. Summit Boulevard. From the end of the rail line at milepost 25, the Trail turns due north, traversing gently up the hillside to the intersection of Summit Boulevard and Boone Avenue. The view is fantastic! Thanks to the City of Spokane for this beautiful new section of Centennial Trail!
    • Boone Avenue to Pettet Drive (project completed!)
      The City of Spokane upgraded this .8-mile span of Centennial Trail in 2021 with a separated asphalt trail following the north side of the road. Crumbling sidewalks with poor access are now a safe, well-designed multi-use path, accessible for all users with stunning views.  City of Spokane designed and delivered upgraded infrastructure and wonderful Centennial Trail span here!
  • Mile 26 Pettet Drive Renovation (project completed!)
    Centennial Trail users on Pettet Drive (famous "Doomsday Hill" on the Bloomsday Course) enjoy a new and improved separated trail with better signage, striping, traffic-calming and safer access to TJ Meenach Bridge.  Trail users crossing TJ Meenach Bridge are separated by a jersey barrier on the east side, so they can cross safely.  On the south end of TJ Meenach Bridge, users turn left and loop under the bridge to head northwest into Riverside State Park.  Be ready for a hill climb here!
  • Mile 37 Carlson Road Gap (project completed!)
    Safety called for moving pedestrians and bicycles away from a sloping, narrow roadway from the Carlson Trailhead moving north to Charles Road and Sontag Park. Approximately 0.5 miles of Centennial Trail were realigned away from the main roadway in 2021, providing safe separation from motorized traffic on a new 10’ wide section of Trail. Spokane Regional Transportation Council provided TAP Funding of $442,116. Spokane County funded $58,845 and Friends of the Centennial Trail pledged $10,000 in matching funds from our Trail Builder's Fund.
  • Miles 37.9-40.1 Northwest Extension (project completed!)
    This 2.2 mile addition from Sontag Park, running through a beautiful wooded area and ending at the Nine Mile Recreation Area, enhances Centennial Trail access and beautifies the experience. WWRP funding included donations of $100,000 from Avista and $20,000 from our Trail Builder’s Fund.

Centennial Trail gaps will be completed when funding is secured project-by-project. Help close Trail gaps with your gift today!