Balfour Park Expansion Project

A partnership between the City and Spokane County Library District continues to frame the expansion of Balfour Park and a new Spokane Valley Public Library. The new library opened in June 2023 in the southwest corner of the park block at E. Sprague Avenue and N. Herald Road. The expansion of the park integrates 5.6 acres of undeveloped adjacent land, making the total expanded Balfour Park approximately 8.3 acres.

Improvements at Balfour Park

Phase I Improvements are complete!

The City is improving Balfour Park in multiple phases. Construction of the Phase 1 improvements cost about $5 million. Improvements in Phase 1, completed in fall 2024, include:

  • Sounders FC Soccer Mini-Pitch 
  • Veterans Memorial
  • Events Plaza
  • Pathways, Lighting, Landscaping
  • Restrooms
  • Expanded Parking

Future Improvements

The City is currently applying for grant funding to support the development of Phase 2 elements of Balfour Park, such as a large playground and splash pad. The design for the full park's build-out includes: 

  • Signature Playground
  • Splash Pad
  • Sport Courts
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Covered Stage with Amphitheater
  1. 1 Rendering of Overview of Balfour Park
  2. 2 Rendering of Ampitheater at Balfour Park
  3. 3 Rendering of Playground at Balfour Park
  4. 4 Rendering of Sport Courts at Balfour Park
  5. 5 Rendering of Splash Pad at Balfour Park
  6. 6 Renderings of Picnic Shelter at Balfour Park

Dedication of the Veterans Memorial at Balfour Park

The community gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Veterans Memorial at Balfour Park on Friday, May 24, 2024. Veterans of Foreign War (Captain James R. Shively VFW Post 1435), Spokane Area Veterans Honor Guard, Army Honor Guard and the University High School Jr. ROTC presented military honors.  

  1. 1 Veterans Memorial at Balfour Park
  2. 2 Memorial for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Balfour
  3. 3 Veterans Event at Balfour Park

Park History

Plans for Balfour Park's expansion date back to 2013 when the City and library district engaged a consultant to gather community input and develop a conceptual site plan for expanding the park and constructing a library. Residents had long voiced support for revitalizing this part of the city, often referred to as the “heart of Spokane Valley” and home to the city’s first retail mall in the 1970s and 1980s. The City put the expansion on hold until the library district could secure funding for a new facility.

The City moved forward with the park's expansion in 2021 after the district announced it had secured the necessary construction funds. View July 6, 2021 presentation to City Council on Balfour Park development. The City surveyed residents and held a community workshop in August 2021 to gather additional public input.