Our Final Chapter

This is the final chapter of our series on beautiful Manito Park according to the book “Manito Park: A Reflection Of Spokane’s Past”  by Tony and Suzanne Bamonte of Tornado Creek Publications, Inc.

 

Today is the concluding paragraph from this great book.  The book is now out of print, but a few used copies are still available on Amazon.com and we’re certain they are in Spokane’s libraries if you are interested.

Thank you all for reading.  The current series of articles has been about all the various venues in Manito Park and this last article will act as the conclusion to this series.  In a few weeks, we will restart the series, so if you missed some of the chapters, please click over to www.ManitoPark.Org or www.ManitoParkOrg.blogspot.com to catch up on the missing chapters.

Thank you all for reading and for your comments and “likes” left on our Facebook account.

The Staff at ManitoPark.Org

This is the final chapter of our series on beautiful Manito Park according to the book “Manito Park: A Reflection Of Spokane’s Past”  by Tony and Suzanne Bamonte of Tornado Creek Publications, Inc.

 

Today is the concluding paragraph from this great book.  The book is now out of print, but a few used copies are still available on Amazon.com and we’re certain they are in Spokane’s libraries if you are interested.

Thank you all for reading.  The current series of articles has been about all the various venues in Manito Park and this last article will act as the conclusion to this series.  In a few weeks, we will restart the series, so if you missed some of the chapters, please click over to www.ManitoPark.Org or www.ManitoParkOrg.blogspot.com to catch up on the missing chapters.

Thank you all for reading and for your comments and “likes” left on our Facebook account.

The Staff at ManitoPark.Org

 Manito Park has always been and remains Spokane’s favorite park.  It is the largest naturally wild, unspoiled tract of land within the city parks system.  Preserving the natural character of this open space has not always been easy.  Throughout its history, numerous proposals to establish commercial enterprises at Manito – including a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, booths selling souvenirs, and exhibits of all sorts – have been rejected.  The board’s position has reflected the desires of its founders, such as Francis Cook and Aubrey White, to preserve beautiful open spaces for outdoor recreation and to enjoy nature.  In recent years, a movement to create a master plan for Manito included adding huge parking lots and a multipurpose meeting center in an undeveloped natural area.  The city quickly experienced how deeply people felt about preserving their park’s pristine beauty; the plan was rejected.  A second plan, tailored to the public’s input, is now being followed.  The Parks Department faces an ongoing challenge of maintaining the beauty of the park while serving the changing needs and desires of a diversified public, all within budgetary constraints.  Supporters are fiercely protective of Manito; many individuals, garden clubs, service organizations and the Spokane Parks Foundation work to preserve and enhance its natural beauty.  Spokane is fortunate to have a park of this magnitude and magnificence in the heart of a residential district, and a public dedicated to its preservation.

The End.

 

Two more venues of Manito Park are explained

We are closing our series of articles about Manito Park and have been listing the various venues of the beautiful park according to the book “Manito Park: A Reflection Of Spokane’s Past”  by Tony and Suzanne Bamonte of Tornado Creek Publications, Inc.

 

Today, we visit the last ones; numbers 11 and 12:

 

11.   UPPER MANITO PLAYGROUND:  Grading for the playground and softball field at the south end of the park in 1912 was in response to the 1907 Olmsted report’s observation that the park did not have an adequate play field.  Tennis courts and a bowling green were also built in the area.  A wading pool was added in 1920.  Charles Balzer, the first park superintendent, built the first playground equipment in two different locations at Manito.  After the park board was formed, playground development became a priority.

 

12.   GREENHOUSE AND STAFF FACILITIES:  Built in 1912, the basalt rock building directly north of the greenhouses serves as offices for the park horticultural staff and The Friends of Manito.  The Friends of Manito was founded in 1990 by John Dodson, then-Horticultural Supervisor of Manito Park, in response to a park showing signs of deterioration.  The Parks Department budget was insufficient to maintain and improved the park.  Over the years, this nonprofit group has acted as a partner with the Parks Department, contributing substantial funding towards improvements, preservation and park promotion, as well as educational gardening activities and programs (The Olmsted Series).  Their fall plant sale contributes over $20,000 a year.  In 1998 The Friends of Manito received the “Organizational Citation of Merit Award” – an award given annually by the Washington Recreation and Park Association, Inc. – recognizing these contributions.