Spokane parks levy passing, first improvements expected within a year

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane voters appear ready to approve the city's first tax increase for parks in more than a decade, with the $240 million parks levy on track to pass with 55% support.

The levy needs only a simple majority to pass and would fund improvements to every park across the city. Parks officials say residents could see the first changes as early as May of next year.

The earliest improvements would include hiring additional maintenance staff and park rangers to better care for the city's park system. These staffing increases would address long-standing maintenance issues that have plagued Spokane parks. Within the next two to three years, residents could expect to see smaller but noticeable improvements, such as playground renovations and upgraded restrooms, across the city's