Redband Rising in Redband Park

We’re pleased to announce installation of Redband Rising at Redband Park. Click here to see pictures of the installation.

The Spokane River Forum partnered with the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation to create Redband Plaza with the Redband Rising sculpture as the centerpiece. The sculpture, park and plaza area is a tribute to redband trout, Spokane River’s native fish.

This builds upon efforts to reclaim and revitalize Redband Park, previously called Glover Field.  Last spring, the Forum partnered with the WA Department of Commerce and city to build a $250,000 non-motorized boat launch that was an instant success.

Thank you to TC Energy for providing about two-thirds of the funding needed for the $115,000 Redband Plaza, which included fully funding the sculpture. From their offices overlooking the river in downtown Spokane, TC Energy manages over 1,300 miles of natural gas pipeline that goes from the Canadian border, down the Idaho Panhandle, through Spokane Valley, then south to Oregon, northern California and Nevada.

The history of this area is extraordinary. By some estimates there were annual runs of about 1 million Chinook salmon with up to 5,000 people seasonally gathering to catch, smoke, and dry salmon for the long winter.

“Fast forward past the industrial era and salmon can no longer reach the falls and redband trout, the river’s one native fish, is struggling,” said Forum Executive Director Andy Dunau. “The park and sculpture will help increase public awareness about the need to restore and protect this fishery for future generations.”

“As importantly,” continued Dunau, “the interpretive signage for the plaza and surrounding area will stress the cultural ties to the Spokane Tribe of Indians, including this being a historical gathering place and seasonal fishing encampment.”

Thank you to Spokane Indians Baseball for contributing to this effort and being a community leader with their Redband Rally campaign. Their efforts have also included rehabilitation of the baseball field and restoration of the community center that is now occupied by the Recovery Café. The Forum and Indians Baseball continue to work closely together, including partnership efforts with the city and Spokane Tribe of Indians.

2020 promises to be another exciting year,” said Dunau. The city will complete the loop trail that has Redband Plaza as a key trail head. People will be able to walk or bike through Peaceful Valley, cross the Spokane River at Sandifur Bridge, and then loop back to downtown via Kendall Yards and Riverfront Park. Dunau predicts that “Between river access, the trail head, little league baseball and other activities, this is going to be a very busy, happening area.”