Two Rivers, coming to a park near you

PRIEST RIVER — Two Rivers Park is another step closer to construction after Priest River city council members approved the project’s phasing plan and design at the March 4 council member. This followed a six-month due diligence period where the city investigated the property’s environmental, legal and financial visibility before beginning development.

“We’re at the point where we’re moving into the let’s get it done phase and how do we do that?” Mayor Jeff Connolly said at the council meeting.

A former industrial site, Two Rivers Park is a 38.4acre wooded parcel southeast of downtown Priest River. The former Joslyn Pole Yard property was rehabilitated by the landowner in 2018 and gifted to the city in 2022.

City Clerk Laurel Thomas said that the next steps are approval of the landscape maintenance agreement, general design plan and the phasing plan. The council also approved a landscape maintenance agreement for the park between the city and StanCraft. Nelson Erickson of StanCraft gave a presentation to council outlining the first phase of the project, including improvements to half of the RV park, the multi-use flex space, both beach sections and the marina. Work in the woodland area could also be included in the first phase if the other portions are completed on time, but more likely that work will begin in the second phase, Erickson said. Connolly added that the phasing is supposed to be flexible, allowing StanCraft and the city to account for possible delays.

“A majority of the park amenities would be built in Phase 1 too,” Erickson said.

In addition, the first phase would include parking areas, basketball and pickleball courts and cantina and food truck areas. Council had questions regarding details like snow removal on the park trails and if the RV park would have dedicated fire pits.

“I think that a large part of my concern when we originally started down this alley was to make sure that we got the beaches in and some of the green space, because that’s what people are going to remember,” Connolly said. “Otherwise, it’s, ‘Oh yeah, you did all of that other stuff, but you didn’t do one thing for the public.’” Both the design and phasing plans were approved in a 3-0 vote, with councilors Doug Wagner, Billy Mullaley and Sandy Brower voting for the project. Council President Candy Turner abstained.

The latest iteration of the plan keeps frontage parking for the marina to speed loading and unloading. A cantina space and spots for food trucks are close by and there are plans for an expanded playground and beach, both included in a 5-acre green space. Plans also call for a ship store with fuel services, fueling station, an amphitheater, several bathroom facilities and a nine-hole disc golf course.