Eventually I commented on the obvious increase in trail traffic just about everywhere in recent years. My riding partner concurred and then mentioned that two of the guys in the group had recently moved to Spokane from Bend. I was quiet for a bit while I digested that reality, being that Bend, Oregon, is arguably the mountain bike capitol of the Pacific NW. The possibility that more mountain bikers could be moving from there to here these days versus the other way around was a bit startling.  

It seems that each year more of the people you meet on the trail, skin track, chairlift, river, beach, or post-adventure pub just moved here from Seattle, Portland, California, Colorado, and other former outdoor Meccas, even, apparently, from Bend.  

Those of us who have lived here long enough to consider ourselves locals typically have one of two gut reactions to this trend. The more territorial among us bemoan the crowding that’s occurring on some trails at peak times; curse what’s beginning to resemble real traffic; and grit their teeth at the over-priced housing market. I’ve been keeping my eye out for their “Spokane’s Full, Go Home” stickers. 

Another predictable response to the growing popularity of our backyard with outdoorsy types fleeing busier and pricier outdoor adventure towns and cities is a mindset of “more-the-merrier.” Open to sharing the region’s outdoor adventure bounty (but maybe not their favorite secret spots), many of these folks have an optimistic outlook. The hope is that an injection of new blood in the outdoors community is more fun and can make things better for all of us. They likely remember times when pristine places, trails, and other natural resources were developed or otherwise ruined because there were not enough of us engaged stakeholders to save them and certainly not enough users to justify new trail systems.  

I admit I drift back and forth between these two camps depending on the day and my mood, but many new people like you and me are moving here every day and that’s that. At the moment I’m feeling optimistic and keep coming back to the hope that adding to the ranks of engaged bikers, hikers, boaters, campers, and climbers should realistically mean more hands on deck to make the Inland Northwest a better place to live for all of us, including the wildlife and wild places that make this place so damn special. But it’s up to us to make it so. 

Derrick Knowles is co-publisher and editor-in-chief. Read more of his stories in the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Jon Jonckers – Biking along Centennial Trail over the Spokane River.]

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The proceeds from this event help to sustain our organization’s mission, train women to serve Spokane, and impact our community through our childhood literacy projects.

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Just like the regular Kidical Mass, a fun, safe bike ride especially for kids, but on this special day Spokane joins thousands of kids all over the planet for a worldwide “Kidical Mass” bike ride. This fun family friendly afternoon bike ride of about 3 miles heads out from Spark Central through Kendall Yards and back on the Centennial Trail. Meet at Spark Central in Kendall Yards. For more details visit: www.summerparkways.com  & www.facebook.com/summerparkways

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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Manito/Comstock neighborhoods, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Summer Parkways is turning 10 this year! Join friends, family and neighbors for fitness and fun at this annual summer solstice community event, Spokane’s biggest block party, for this our 10th anniversary. Streets are closed to motorized vehicles and opened up to bikes, pedestrians, runners, skaters, and other human-powered recreation. Activities, Parkways Passport hunt plus booths in Manito and Comstock Parks and along the designated 4 mile car-free route through the picturesque tree-lined streets of Manito and Comstock neighborhoods. Join the fun on the longest day of the year! For more information visit: www.summerparkways.com & www.facebook.com/summerparkways

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Change the future of Washington’s outdoor recreation  

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office needs your thoughts to make its five-year updates of its strategic plan for outdoor recreation. Make your voice heard by participating in the series of online public meetings at Recreation Town Hall. Easily accessible, and convenient (as you can answer questions any time), this site is also well moderated, allowing for engaging, in-depth discussion for people from all parts of Washington.

The online forum addresses a variety of issues, from commercialization of parks to what prevents people from recreating outdoors. The current question being discussed is about having enough parks, trails, and other recreation areas, in addition to how well maintained they are.

However, according to Inland Northwest Trails Association president Lunell Haught, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) has recently lacked an adequate proportion of perspectives from the east side of the state, leaving Eastern Washington underrepresented. This includes members on RCO’s boards/evaluating committees, which makes it extra important for us Spokanites that care about outdoor recreation to get involved.

For more information, please visit RCO website or contact RCO director Kaleen Cottingham (360-902-3003).

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