Make Beacon Public Campaign (2018-2021)

From 2018 to 2021, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance worked tirelessly with Spokane County and the City of Spokane to finalize the Make Beacon Public campaign. This initiative successfully added 250 acres of public land to Beacon Hill, thanks to grants, donations, and the Conservation Futures program. Evergreen's leadership was pivotal in bringing together all necessary participants. The Evergreen East Chapter raised $20,000 in matching funds and financed two crucial land appraisals totaling $13,000. These appraisals were essential in closing the last two properties, ensuring they were included in the final purchase.

Central Park Revamp (2022)

In 2022, the Evergreen East Chapter invested $13,000 to hire a contractor to rebuild the pump track and gravity line jump line at Central Park in Camp Sekani. This investment revitalized the park, enhancing its appeal and functionality for bikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Make Beacon Public Phase II (2022-2024)

Building on the success of the initial campaign, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance worked from 2022 to 2024 with Spokane County and the City of Spokane to draft plans for Make Beacon Public Phase II. This phase focuses on rebuilding the Camp Sekani and John H. Shields trailheads. Planned improvements include doubling parking capacity with paved areas, adding new lighting, cameras, and restroom facilities. The Evergreen East Chapter raised another $25,000 in matching funds to support the county and city in securing the necessary funding for this project.

Addressing Parking Challenges (April 2024)

In April 2024, the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department temporarily restricted parking for mountain bikers and hikers at the Esmeralda Golf Course. This restriction has since been lifted, but it prompted discussions about alternative parking solutions. The Evergreen East Chapter identified Minnehaha Park as a viable alternative. Meetings with city officials led to the approval of a new plan, which includes the construction of a climbing trail and two descending trails connecting to the new trailhead. The city opened the new parking area and added lighting to Minnehaha Park, and construction of the new trails began, with an estimated completion in late fall 2024.

“The new climbing trail is being built with a sustainable design including good sightlines to enhance safety and reduce erosion. The new trails will benefit all users, with the descending trails shifting faster moving downhill traffic off the climbing trail. - Melinda DuPree, Vice President of the Evergreen East Chapter

Looking Ahead: Phase III and Beyond

The anticipated completion of the Make Beacon Public Phase II trailhead improvements is fall 2025. Meanwhile, the Evergreen East Chapter is already working on Make Beacon Public Phase III. This phase, in partnership with Spokane County Parks and Recreation, the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program, and the City of Spokane Parks Department, aims to fund the purchase of additional private land on Beacon Hill by 2027.

Thank You!

At Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, we're thrilled to see the incredible progress we've made together on the Beacon Hill project. It's a testament to the power of community and collaboration. “It’s impossible to ever fully appreciate the many, many hours of work by so many folks on the Make Beacon Public projects,” says Melinda DuPree, VP of the Evergreen East Chapter. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our partners and passionate volunteers. 

Chris Conley, President of the Evergreen East Chapter, says, “Beacon Hill is a gem and one of the best places to ride in Washington state. Most people are not aware that many of the trails they ride have been on private property and could be lost to development at any time. Thanks to our efforts and the partnership with Spokane County Parks, Recreation and Golf and the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation along with huge support from the community we have been able to preserve the majority of the trail system and maintain the connectivity between Camp Sekani, Greater Beacon Hill and Esmeralda and Minnehaha Parks. I can honestly say without Evergreen’s involvement this would never have happened. We resurrected Make Beacon Public by stepping in at the last minute and paying for 2 appraisals which helped to finalize the last 2 purchases and preserved 250 acres of land previously planned for development.”

As we look forward to completing Phase II and diving into Phase III, we’re excited about the future and all the new opportunities it will bring for outdoor recreation in Spokane. Thank you for supporting us, and being a part of this journey with us. See you on the trails! 

Check out the Beacon Hill MTB trails on TrailForks.