New stairs lead to Cliff Park's grassy vantage point | News

From crumbling stone to smooth steps, the construction at Cliff Park’s staircase has wrapped up. 54 steps make their way up to the green vantage point of Spokane. The $61,000 project finished last week giving the staircase a safer and modern look for park-goers.

The original staircase went through some improvements about 25-years-ago when some Eagle Scouts did some work on it, but it was time for the next phase of construction to resurface the stairs. City projects manager, Taylor Bressler, says it was time for the project.

“There was an existing staircase that went from a landing to the top. Over the years that wore away. That part got really nasty,” Bressler said.

The stonework was falling apart making the steps a treacherous feat. A miscalculated step could mean a tumble especially for those that like to text and walk at the same time.

Bressler is already hearing good things about the park from the neighbors. People have already gone up there to see the difference.

“It looks like it belongs there. So many times you make an improvement in a park and it looks out of place,” Bressler added. “Any time you change a park, you should get people wondering about what’s going on. You have to let the neighborhood know.”

Now the department will begin some other improvements in city parks. Bressler says they’re building a picnic shelter at 25th & Tekoa in Manito Park. He’s also working on the plans for a new gazebo to be built at Manito’s Rose Garden. The planning stages for that are expected to start in mid-July.

The new stairs will lead to a neighborhood event this Thursday. It’s the annual Snack and Stroll for the Cliff-Cannon neighborhood. At 6 p.m. they’ll be cutting a ribbon to celebrate the new stairs. There will also be a planning of a Susie Forest tree. Neighbors are meeting at 12th & Grove.