Quite possibly the best evidence that Downtown Spokane is becoming more and more family friendly every day. This guy was riding with his young daughter in mid-day traffic downtown this afternoon. After complete astonishment faded, we watched as they made their way past the Parkade, changed lanes and headed off in the direction of Aunties Bookstore.
This is a scene usually captured in the relative safety of a cul-de-sac. Yet here they were riding amongst one-way traffic where most adults flat out sprint when the "DO NOT WALK" sign starts flashing. The sheer awkwardness of it made us question why this scene couldn't be the norm in Spokane. Shouldn't we have streets downtown where this kind of activity could take place? Will we ever reach a point where working families downtown are the norm, or is it destined to become a place populated by only twenty-somethings and empty-nesters (nothing against either group) shopping at Banana Republic and enjoying dinner at a soon to be finished P.F. Changs?
Vancouver, BC has had tremendous success in creating an urban core that is overwhelmingly residential and heavily family friendly. In fact, they've been so successful that two years ago they opened the first new school in downtown Vancouver in over fifty years: Elsie Roy Elementary(pdf). How did they get to this point? Years ago they developed then implemented a plan with the goal of attracting families downtown. To paraphrase Gordon Price, if neighborhoods (including downtowns) are good for kids, it will certainly be good for everyone else. Remember the picture above that we snapped this afternoon? It gives us hope that one day downtown will become livable for everybody.
Stuck up here on the North Side my wife and I are countig the days until we can sell our house and move back downtown.
The only think I'm apprehensive about is that we're planning on starting a family soon. I don't worry about activities, parks, or safety at this point, I'm more concerned with the logistics of raising one or two kids in 1000 to 1200 square feet.
Being raised in a giant house in the suburbs makes it hard to break rank and believe that kids don't need a one acre yard and their own playroom to survive.
Other than that I think downtown would be a great place to raise kids. Having the Children's Museum near other kid-friendly stores in the mall and the park is a great start.
Posted by: MK | August 22, 2006 at 06:59 AM
If we want to move Spokane ahead, I think we need to focus more than the Family image that has been used for decades!
The single largest group in Spokane is Single People living alone. Contact the City of Spokane Planning department if you don't believe me.
True, downtown should be for everyone! But, concentrate on a variety of activities for all groups and individuals! Diversity is needed in this town. Pay attention to demographics....one growth field will be the aging population....another reason to support Light Rail and better public transportation and housing for the future!
Posted by: dan/spokane | August 22, 2006 at 09:45 PM
A smartly designed 1200 sqf with quality materials could easily make the average 2600 sqf seem bloated and burdensome. Consider too how much free time your future family might gain from not having to maintain that acre of grass, and cleaning the huge home.
We hope you make it happen.
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | August 22, 2006 at 09:46 PM
D-
"But, concentrate on a variety of activities for all groups and individuals!"
Exactly our point. If you make downtown safe enough and accessible enough for children, then naturally it'll work for everyone else. This includes the much maligned emo-kids, the skateboarders, office workers, soccer-moms, the elderly, and families.
The overused tag of Spokane being "family friendly" sounds like a marketing campaign drummed up by someone. We don't think Spokane is any more or less "family friendly" than Missoula or Boise for that matter. It's pretty much a meaningless phrase anymore.
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | August 22, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Great entry, but what I am concerned about is the red pickup truck in the photograph that doesn't seem to know which lane he/she wants to be driving in. I don't see a lighted turn signal on the back of the vehicle, which makes me doubt that he's changing lanes. Having cycled on all kinds of roads in and around Spokane, I have been literally run off the road twice by pickup trucks when I was already riding on the shoulder, and one of the trucks threw me the bird as he passed. Well, maybe I didn't have a couple of kids in tow to protect me from being run over and he might have thought I was anti-family. Well, one must remember that Spokane is only "near" perfect. Perhaps 1) I should have a couple of kids or 2) Cycle with my shot gun or 3) Ride the bus.
Posted by: Sally Sahnemacher | August 22, 2006 at 10:30 PM
True, Spokane should be for everyone! The Elderly, the young and single people.
I thought the article was ....just again......promoting "Family Friendly" Spokane! ...when in truth more households in the City have one person in them.
Yes, that Family marketing is pretty meaningless, except it promotes a mission in some people's minds.
I'm all for getting everyone in using downtown and promoting Spokane as a whole!
Posted by: dan/spokane | August 23, 2006 at 04:58 AM