The Moose Call
The Newsletter of the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park February 2024
2023 Year in Review
This was a year of excing changes for the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park: a new logo, new website, and most importantly, a new trail map produced in partnership with Washington State Parks and the Washington State Parks Foundaon!
Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park: A Partner in Education
In 2022, Washington State Parks approached the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park board (FMSP) to determine if there was any interest in helping to fund a new trail map for Mt.
Spokane. The last map was draed and published over 20 years ago and had numerous trails that have since been decommissioned. In two decades, new trails have been developed as well. The Board commied to funding both the design and the inial producon of an updated map featuring both winter and summer use trails, and guidelines for use. Through the masterful leadership of Volunteer Coordinator Rex Schultz, Friends members parcipated in the design phase of the map through several map review sessions at the Nine Mile Park Headquarters. FMSP supplemented the funding for the map through the sale of sponsor adversing as well as a generous Partners in Promoon grant from the Washington State Parks Foundaon. Once the map was approved and then “ground-truthed” for accuracy, it was printed and distributed for sale. FMSP board members led the charge to fan out across Spokane and distribute the maps to retailers in
the outdoor industry: Fitness Fanacs, REI, Aunes, and various bike and ski shops in the region. State Parks is also selling the maps at ranger staons in the region.
The Friends get a Refresh: Bold New Look
Aer 20 years the FMSP board decided it was me to update the look and feel of
the FMSP website and create markeng collateral for improved awareness of the
organizaon in the community. A sub-commiee was formed and started by
redesigning the logo to incorporate the iconic summit Vista House. Using Vista
House es the Friends group closely to a landmark recognizeable by skiers, hikers,
snowshoers, and all others who love the Park. Members of the board also worked with Trevor and Dee Finchamp at Inland Northwest Media to create a new website, using a contemporary web plaorm and design system to beer communicate the mission and vision of the FMSP in a user-friendly format. Check it out at Friends of Mt Spokane (mountspokane.org).
Funding From Friends
The FMSP undertook several other projects to improve the user experience on the mountain. State Parks shared the need for floor mats in the CXT bathrooms located throughout the park. Board Member Mike Henneberry volunteered to buy a sample to try in a high-use bathroom. Aer a month of use, it was deemed a success. Mike purchased enough for the rest of the bathrooms in me for them to be installed during the Winter of 2024. In addion the Nordic members of the FMSP proposed funding for a a replacement part on one of the Nordic groomers. That was done in December 2023, just in me for the 23/24 winter seasons.
Friends Having Fun
FMSP board members parcipated in many acvies on the mountain in 2023, including Nordic trail clearing, and chopping and storing firewood at the snowshoe hut in the Fall. Board members also parcipated in the State Parks First Day hikes on January 1, 2023. providing assistance and educaon for snowshoers bound for the summit, as well as those going to the snowshoe hut.
Making Trail Plans
The new Eastern Region Trail Planner, Paul Knowles, aended several FMSP meengs to conduct trail user focus group sessions in an effort to idenfy gaps in the exisng trail system for future design and construcon.
Advocating for Park Projects
The Friends wrote leers of support for the State acquision of Bear Creek Lodge, purchased during 2023, and a big win for all park users! The board also supported the permanent protecon of Inland Empire land on the Idaho side of Mt. Spokane. This land, if secured through
the Trust for Public Land, would be open for recreaonal use in the future. Board President Gibson aended the Washington State Parks Friends Conference held at Camas Beach in October, creang networking opportunies and connecons with other state-wide Friends groups.
Friends’ Finances
2023 presented growth in donaons, thanks parally in part to the new user-friendly web plaorm. The organizaon’s boom line also benefied from robust map sales. Despite the investments made by the board (menoned above), the organizaon sll saw an increase in funds over the year from $30,213 to $34,054, indicang increased awareness and relevancy in the outdoor community. The organizaon also holds stock that was gied years ago. More detail about the financials may be obtained by email friends@mountspokane.org.