 MAY 2026  Amber Groe spotlights improvements at Wyakin Park in the Balboa/South Indian Trail, including improved maintenance, safety, and land management. Tune in to learn about upcoming community events including the annual Spokane Lilac Festival, local farmers markets, and the opening of splash pads. Plus, viewers will get reminders about spring and summer construction, street sweeping, and travel impacts around Spokane.  |
NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT  Latah/Hangman Happenings: The recent evacuation drill held on April 25, coordinated by Spokane’s Office of Emergency Management and Spokane Fire Department, received strong positive feedback from participants and the community. Residents are encouraged to sign up (or re-register) for Alert Spokane to receive critical emergency and evacuation notifications. Spokane Police also emphasized that patrols are increased during real evacuations to help protect evacuated neighborhoods and reduce concerns about theft.On April 28, the City hosted a community open house in the Latah Valley neighborhood on April 28, bringing together departments and community members to share information on local projects, infrastructure improvements, planning efforts, public safety, parks, and neighborhood initiatives. The event provided residents an opportunity to connect directly with City staff, learn about ongoing work in the area, and offer feedback on community priorities. Register for Alert Spokane  Neighborhood Projects With the Community School: Students and staff recently partnered with Office of Neighborhood Services staff, Mayor, City Council President and neighborhood council volunteers for a community-connected learning project focused on Spokane neighborhoods. Through panel discussions and collaborative idea sharing, students explored ways to strengthen neighborhood connection and belonging, generating ideas such as more third spaces, community gardens, walking groups, and other opportunities to build community.Learn More About The Community School  Minnehaha Participates in Spokane Gives: The City of Spokane celebrated National Volunteer Month with the return of Spokane Gives, partnering with LaunchNW and VolunteerSpokane.org to connect residents with volunteer opportunities across the city. As part of the effort, the Minnehaha Neighborhood Council organized a successful Minnehaha Park Clean Up on April 24, with neighborhood volunteers and City staff working side-by-side to care for the community. District 2 Coffee With Council on May 27: Residents are invited to “Coffee with Council” on May 27 from 9:30–11 a.m. at Hidden Bagel. Join Council Members Paul Dillon and Kate Telis for an informal opportunity to connect, ask questions, and discuss neighborhood and community issues over coffee.Avista and Spokane County Wildfire Mitigation Coalition to Host Wildfire & Forestry Safety Fair: Residents are invited to the Wildfire & Forestry Safety Fair on May 16 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Deer Park Fire Station 41 and Perrins Field. The free community event will feature educational sessions on defensible space, wildfire behavior, and insurance preparedness, along with family-friendly activities, demonstrations, giveaways, and information booths focused on wildfire readiness and forest health.  NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (NC) DATES: May 12- North Indian Trail NC |
| CITY UPDATES Spokane City Council Changing Meeting Days in July: If you have ever attended, watched, or planned to speak at a Spokane City Council meeting, this affects you. Starting July 14, Spokane City Council meeting days change. Council Agenda Review Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Council Committee Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Council Legislative Sessions will be on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Remember, if your NC decides to change their meeting date, let your ONS Liaison know right away. City Seeking Feedback on Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nominations: The City of Spokane is preparing nominations of eligible census tracts and is seeking your input. Opportunity Zones are federally designated census tracts meant to spur investment in underinvested communities. As part of the process, the City is able to put forward eligible census tracts for consideration by the Governor’s Office, coordinating regionally with surrounding jurisdictions and community organizations. To learn more, watch City staff’s presentation at the April 27th Finance Committee. To contact staff directly, email Amanda Beck  See How PlanSpokane 2046 Preferred Alternative May Effect Your Neighborhood: The City of Spokane is continuing work on its mandated Comprehensive Plan update, including an Environmental Impact Statement evaluating future growth alternatives. After months of Plan Commission workshops, City Council is expected to consider a preferred growth alternative in May 2026 that will guide future planning and development decisions. Residents can learn more through the Plan Spokane project webpage and Preferred Alternative StoryMap.Learn More Senior and Disables Utility Discount Program Helping More People: Utility Billing reached out to customers who may qualify for Senior and Disabled credits. Postcards were mailed to property owners who are eligible for Spokane County’s property tax exemption to ensure awareness for the program and provide support. The response has resulted in a 75 percent increase in number of customers receiving utility bill credits! Read our blog for more information! Disposal Pass Update for NCs: The City’s spring disposal pass distribution has concluded, but residents will have another opportunity this fall. Beginning August 4, neighborhood councils may distribute physical $30 disposal passes valid at the Waste to Energy Facility through October 31. The expanded fall program was developed in response to neighborhood feedback requesting additional support for yard waste disposal and more local distribution opportunities through neighborhood events and activities. Apply for the Working Families Tax Credit: The Working Families Tax Credit is designed to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families. Get up to $5,075 back in tax refunds for 2022 – 2025. Check your eligibility and apply at www.workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov First Round of Mobile Speed Feedback Trailers (MSFTs) are Deployed: The program, funded through the Safe Streets for Spokane Traffic Calming Program, is designed to encourage safer driving by displaying vehicle speeds and increasing driver awareness. This year’s expanded program includes a longer deployment season, additional trailers throughout the city, and closer coordination with Spokane Police and Transportation staff to address community traffic concerns and emergent safety issues.  Light Up Those Dark Areas on Your Property: Don’t forget–Spokane homeowners can request a FREE motion detecting, solar light to illuminate the darkened areas of your neighborhoods for safety. Like the Disposal Passes, applicants can log into their Spokane 311 account to request a light and then visit City Hall to pick it up. Note–these are back in stock after the first wave of requests, so get yours now!Get Your Light! |
| RESOURCES & MORE Lilac Festival Week May 9-16: What began as a modest tradition has grown into one of the Inland Northwest’s largest and longest-running community celebrations. Powered entirely by volunteers, the Spokane Lilac Festival Association brings the community together to celebrate spring, youth, and the spirit of the Lilac City. Keep these events in mind: Thurs, May 14 | All City Civic & Military Lunch Sat, May 16 | Cruzin’ The Falls Car Show Sat, May 16 | Brewfest at Riverfront Park Sat, May 16 | Armed Forces Torchlight Parade Please Note: This year’s Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade will feature a 50% shorter route than in previous years due to City of Spokane security and cost considerations. Organizers encourage attendees to check updated viewing locations  Fesitval Week Events  Splash Pads Opening for Season Soon: Most splash pads open ahead of Memorial Day week and pools open after school is out for the summer.Here’s the schedule: May 1- Riverfront Park: Rotary Fountain May 22 – September 8- Audubon Park, Carson Park, Chief Garry Park, Coeur d’Alene Park, Friendship Park, Glass Park, Grandview Park, Harmon Park, Manito Park, Mission Park, Pacific Park, Shadle Park, Thornton Murphy Park, Underhill Park May 29- Riverfront Park: Ice Age Floods Playground June 15- September 8- Grant Park, Nevada Park SIGN UP FOR THE CITY OF SPOKANE NEWSLETTERS Sign up for the Community Update Sign up for the Public Library eNews Sign up for Mayor Lisa Brown’s eNews Sign up for Parks & Recreation eNews X • Facebook • YouTube • Vimeo • Instagram • Bluesky Sign-Up for News You Can Use Terms of Use • Your Privacy • My Spokane 311 • Contact Information We are here to help! Simply dial 311 or if outside City limits: 509-755-CITY(2489). |
| City of Spokane, Washington | 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd | Spokane, WA 99201 US |