In the dim light of Hutton Elementary School’s multipurpose room, dozens of kindergarteners oohed, aahed, and waved arms in “silent applause” as they gazed upon a PowerPoint presentation.
Heather Smith, a landscape architect with Spokane Parks & Recreation, was flashing through slides that showed playground improvements proposed for Whittier Park, which is located within the school’s boundary.
“After we’re all done today, we’re going to count up your choices and see what the top pick is,” Smith explained. “And it’s a pretty good chance you’re going to see that at the park, because your voices matter more than anyone else.”
Like all neighborhood parks across Spokane, Whittier is slated for several upgrades and renovations as part of the Together Spokane initiative approved by voters in November.
The West Hills neighborhood council is also contributing some of its Community Development Block Grant funds to expand the scope of those improvements, especially focused on the playground.
On Wednesday morning, four easels were arranged throughout Hutton’s multipurpose room. Poster boards displayed pictures of the eight proposed options, including slides, climbing structures, musical instruments, and a playhouse.
Teachers handed each student two green stickers, which they used to indicate preferences. The kids could also draw an idea of their own on a sticky note and paste it to the board. One boy proudly affixed his depiction of a slide and three trees beside a classmate’s drawing of a jungle gym.
In the end, the clear crowd favorite was the “spinning experience” – a whirling bucket positioned atop a post.
Over the next several years, Spokane Parks and Recreation and Spokane Public Schools will continue gathering public input in various ways on the range of projects breaking ground across our city. Find projects planned in your neighborhood and select “Follow” to receive updates on specific projects.
