Parents and kids rejoice! Spokane Parks splash pads are set to open this Friday, May 24th.

Even though the forecast for Memorial Day weekend isn't a sunny one, the long range forecast says we'll have a hot and dry summer to enjoy. Splash pads are free way to keep your kids cool and entertained on those hot days. Many  of the splash pads are adjacent to playgrounds, providing another way for your kiddos to get exercise and burn off some energy. 

Area splash pads will be open until September 14th, for more information visit http://www.spokaneparks.org. Parks with splash pads are listed below:

If you're a strong swimmer on the hunt for a summer job, Spokane Parks and Recreation has the perfect spot for you. Spokane has two aquatics training programs to train life guards and water safety instructors. 

The Lifeguard Training Course runs May 18th-19th and May 20th-24th and will train on CPR_PR, First Aid and Life guarding. The course if for ages 15 and older and costs $175.

Water Safety Instructor courses will run for four Saturdays, June 8th-29th. You will learn how ti teach all ages water safety courses, survival and American Red Cross swimming skills. There is a text book required and the course costs $200.

Both training programs require that you pass a pre-course test to enroll. Lifeguard training will be at Witter Aquatic Center and Water Safety Instructor courses will happen at Liberty Aquatic Center. For more information or to register visit spokaneparks.org

The Land Committee of the Spokane Park Board considered a proposal to purchase land that would extend the Centennial Trail at a meeting on Wednesday April 3rd. The land to be purchased is currently part of the Kendall Yards property. The total land is 3.5 acres but .85 acres of that will be donated by Kendall Yards.

The city was given a grant from the Washington Public Works Board for the amount of $1.97 million in order to make the purchase. Kendall Yards has agreed to sell the land for that price even though independent appraisers for both the city and developer determined the value of the land to be around $3.9 million. As part of the purchase agreement Kendall Yards will construct the trail extension and hope to have it completed as early as this summer. The revenue of the sale will be used to fund the extension project.