The Forum and State Parks Give the Gift of Life Jackets

It’s hot and the river is calling. And we want you to enjoy it! Visit spokaneriverwatertrail.org to learn about the many places to tube, paddle, raft, angle and otherwise enjoy the Spokane River.

But safety first. Wear a life jacket, aka— your personal floatation device (PFD).

Thanks to the Washington State Parks boating program, in July enjoying the Spokane River just got safer. State Parks provided the Forum more than 70 life jackets that we placed at 8 water trail access points (Stateline, Harvard Road, Barker, Islands Trailhead, Boulder Beach, Division Street Bridge, Redband Park and People’s Park). From infant to extra-large, all sizes are available.

State Parks calls the program “Borrow a Life Jacket,” and the idea is pretty simple. If you’re about to get on the water but forgot a life jacket, borrow one from the kiosk. Our only ask (which is written on the jacket) is to please return what you borrowed when done.

Said Executive Director Andy Dunau, “We’re working together to prevent unnecessary tragedy. Every year there are one or more drownings. And the all too familiar story line is “But he/she was a strong swimmer, so they didn’t think they needed one.”

“The true story line,” says City of Spokane Parks Assistant Recreation Director Ryan Griffith, “is that the the river or really any waterbody can be cold, unpredictable and host hidden dangers at any time. The solution is to always wear a PFD.”

The Forum will collect the life jackets at the end of the recreation season and put them out again next year with the help of our partners.