Riverfront Park (Spokane, Washington)

Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park in 2005
Type Urban park
Location Downtown Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates 47°39′43″N 117°25′12″W / 47.662°N 117.42°W / 47.662; -117.42Coordinates: 47°39′43″N 117°25′12″W / 47.662°N 117.42°W / 47.662; -117.42
Area 100 acres (0.40 km2)
Created 1974, 44 years ago
Operated by Spokane Parks and
Recreation Department
Status Open year round
(daily, 5 am to midnight)
Public transit access Spokane Transit Authority
Website my.spokanecity.org/
riverfrontpark
Riverfront Park with the '74 Pavilion and Great Northern Railroad Depot Clocktower shown.
Upper Spokane Falls and Canada Island.

Riverfront Park is a public park in the northwest United States, in downtown Spokane, Washington. The one-hundred-acre (40 ha) park is located along the Spokane River containing the upper Spokane Falls and just upstream from the lower falls.

It was created 44 years ago for Expo '74, a World's Fair event. The defining feature of the park is the Pavilion, which is marked by a 145-foot-tall (44 m) metal frame and wire shell that formed the US Pavilion tent during Expo '74, and the 155-foot (47 m) clock tower,[1] now a Spokane icon. Originally part of the Great Northern Railway Depot, completed in 1902 and demolished in 1973, its “giant grandfather clock” is wound by hand once a week.

Other park amenities include the Riverfront Park Carousel, IMAX theatre (1978),[2] skyride over the falls, and a small amusement park for kids. During winter months, a skating rink is home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.

The elevation is approximately 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level; the Spokane River Centennial Trail passes through the park.

Festivals and Events

Riverfront Park plays host to numerous events including the following:

Sources

  1. ↑ Kampa, Jerry (September 2, 1974). "New framing for familiar landmark". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (photo). p. 1.
  2. ↑ Shelton, Jim (March 10, 1978). "IMAX theater taking shape". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (photo). p. 6.
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