Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail
Name	Centennial Trail
Length mi	37
Location	Spokane, Washington (state), United States
Designation	Multi-use rail-trail and recreational path
Established	1986
Surface	Asphalt, crushed rock
Use	Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, inline skating

Centennial Trail The Centennial Trail is a multi-use recreational path in the Pacific Northwest that connects urban, suburban, and rural landscapes across Spokane and surrounding Spokane County, Washington. It serves as a regional corridor for non-motorized transportation and outdoor recreation, linking parks, historic districts, riverfronts, and conservation lands associated with local agencies such as the Washington State Department of Transportation and nonprofit groups like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The trail is notable for integrating rail-trail conversion principles and riverfront restoration projects influenced by national examples including the Katy Trail State Park and the High Line.

Overview

The trail functions as a linear park stretching roughly 37 miles, incorporating infrastructure similar to other prominent corridors such as the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Chief Ladiga Trail. It links major nodes including downtown Spokane, the Riverfront Park (Spokane), suburban neighborhoods, municipal parks, and regional natural areas around the Little Spokane River and the Spokane River. Funding and partnerships have involved entities like the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Federal Highway Administration, and local jurisdictions including the City of Spokane Valley. The route crosses transportation arteries administered by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and interfaces with trails in adjacent jurisdictions such as those in Idaho and Kootenai County, Idaho.

Route and Geography

Beginning near the Spokane River corridor adjacent to downtown Spokane, the path follows former railroad rights-of-way and river terraces through varied physiographic settings including the Palouse, riparian floodplains, and urban riverfront redevelopment zones. Significant geographic waypoints include crossings at the Spokane River Centennial Trail Bridge, connections to Manito Park, and links to suburban greenways near Mead (Washington). The alignment traverses habitats characterized by Columbia Plateau scabland features, riparian cottonwood corridors, and engineered wetlands associated with stormwater management programs overseen by the Spokane County Conservation District. Elevation changes are moderate, reflecting the transition from river valley to upland benchlands near the Selkirk Mountains foothills.

History and Development

The corridor originated from abandoned or repurposed rail lines once operated by carriers such as the Great Northern Railway and later Burlington Northern Railroad. Initial advocacy drew on national rail-trail precedents promoted by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and local civic groups including the Spokane County Historical Society. Early phases of construction were funded through a mix of federal transportation enhancement grants administered by the Federal Highway Administration, state recreation and conservation grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, and private philanthropic contributions from regional foundations tied to urban revitalization efforts including those that supported the Expo '74 riverfront redevelopment. Key milestones included land acquisition agreements with freight carriers, environmental assessments compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act, and community planning processes coordinated with the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.

Recreation and Use

The corridor accommodates multiple recreational activities comparable to uses on trails like the Iron Horse State Park rail-trail and urban greenways in cities such as Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Typical users include commuters, long-distance cyclists, recreational walkers, birdwatchers referencing avifauna inventories coordinated with the Audubon Society of Spokane, and equestrians in designated segments. Events along the trail have included organized rides, trail runs, charity walks, and interpretive history tours supported by partners like the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department and regional tourism boards. Seasonal management addresses snow removal policy coordinated with the Washington State Department of Transportation in winter months and volunteer-led stewardship days organized by groups such as the Spokane Riverkeeper.

Management and Maintenance

Management is a collaborative framework among municipal agencies including the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, and the Spokane Valley municipal authorities, with operational input from nonprofit stewards and state-level resource agencies like the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Maintenance responsibilities cover surfacing, signage, vegetation control, bridge inspections, and habitat restoration projects, with funding drawn from municipal budgets, state parks allocations, federal enhancement grants, and private donations facilitated by community foundations such as the Spokane Community Foundation. Public safety coordination involves the Spokane Police Department, county sheriffs, and volunteer trail patrols trained in first aid and visitor education.

Environmental and Cultural Significance

Ecologically, the corridor provides contiguous riparian habitat and wildlife connectivity important for species documented by regional biologists from institutions like Gonzaga University and the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. The trail passes cultural resources including historic railroad infrastructure linked to the Northern Pacific Railway era and Indigenous heritage sites associated with Spokane Tribe of Indians ancestral territories, requiring consultation under cultural resource management practices guided by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Landscape restoration initiatives have aligned with watershed plans administered by the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and habitat enhancement projects funded through programs such as the Bonneville Power Administration mitigation grants.

Category:Rail trails in Washington (state) Category:Protected areas of Spokane County, Washington