For Slogan's Sake

From the informal to the official there are a range of slogans that different Spokanites might best identify with, but how do the slogans portray the city different and how might it impact local's perspectives.

Keep Spokane Kind of Gross?

Creative by Nature?

Near Nature, Near Perfect?

In Spokane, We All Belong?

In just one location, how do all of these slogans fit together?

Keep Spokane Kind of Gross

Perhaps a spin off on "Keep Portland Weird" this well-meaning slogan appeared in 2018, and seemingly had a short lifespan. The concept originated from some concern about city improvements for the sake of improvement, and perhaps vanity's sake, and the covering up of the rougher elements of Spokane. However, this slogan is at great contrast with the vast majority of the city's history.

Spokane "Falls" became incorporated in 1881, and over the last 140 years there are many examples how people from the elite to the average joe worked extensively to improve the city. A 1900-1910 postcard portrays "See Spokane Shine" adorn green arches at Manito Park, a perfect example of the pride taken in the city from very early on in its cityhood.

An even more compelling example of Spokane taking steps to shine is for the World's Fair Expo '74. In the last decade many of the changes to Riverfront Park can be a viewed as not a way to cover up the "gross" but to honor the past.

Creative by Nature

The rapid development of Spokane "Falls" led to its greatest natural treasure to be smothered both with structures and pollution, and "Falls" was dropped from the name. However, the ingenuity of individuals in Spokane's community is incredible.

Here's a riddle: How do you solve a failing downtown, avoid your state from suing the city for its polluted water, and create a better future?

Answer: Host a World's Fair.

Hosting a World's Fair seems comparable to hosting the Olympics, when post the event so much of the infrastructure is obsolete and becomes burdensome on the city. The brilliant mind of King Cole had different thoughts on how the legacy of a World's Fair would impact the city of Spokane. The endless challenge to any grand project? Budget.

The city of Spokane failed to pass a tax that would help generate a budget to support the execution of hosting a World's Fair, but the businessowners of the city saw its need and potential and self-elected for an additional B&O tax in order to make this dream solution a tangible reality.

The 50th anniversary of Expo '74 showcased an early environmental initiative for river health as well as a gathering and celebration of cultures, while fixing the broken, bringing a community together, and putting Spokane on the map. The one six-month event changed the city's trajectory for the future.

Today, organizations like Spokane Riverkeeper help continue its healthy, biodiversity, and public awareness and education. Additional efforts supported by The Land's Council's Fungi Project resulted in a bioremediation expert partnering with North Central High School students to investigate how fungi and soil bacteria can reduce the amount of PBC's in the river. Again, Spokane is full of passionate, creative, and innovative people.

Near Nature, Near Perfect

Most locals know numerous places and ways to enjoy the river and falls. Whether by rafts, hikes, or accessible overlooks, the Spokane River and Falls has its rightful place back at the heart of this local area, but Spokane's natural beauty does not stop there.

Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and varying interest get to experience the best of Spokane. From a river cutting through the city's downtown and winding miles through over 9,000 acres of Riverside State Park to a ski park sitting atop Mt Spokane State Park's 12,000+ acres. That's just the state parks.

Spokane boasts of a high number of city parks, over 80! Again, we have mindful and determined people to thank for these additional green spaces scattered throughout our neighborhoods. With cities like Boston being founded in 1630 it provided our young city an opportunity to learn from potential shortcomings of these older and overpopulated cities and what they were trying to restore. At the turn of the 20th century, leaders in landscape design lived outside of Boston: Frederick Law Olmsted, the Olmsted Brothers, and Olmsted Associates.

John Charles Olmsted (nephew turned adopted son) visited Spokane, and not only did he consult on potential estate projects, like Louis Davenport, but he also reported on the potential and feasibility of Aubrey White's plan of quietly accruing land and plating public green spaces to improve the value of the surrounding area. White's plan for protecting Spokane's nature went far beyond the glamorous estates or quaint local parks. He continued to pursue and succeed in his mission even during The Great Depression, which he writes about in the below newspaper clipping from the Spokesman Review.

Even though Spokane's history is full of shining examples of determined, resilient, and creative people, it is the combined efforts of many people with many different things to offer that leads to remarkable transformations and successes. Louis Davenport played a key role as trustee during the acquisition of land for Mt. Spokane. Then in the summer of 1927 the title of Mount Spokane Regional Park was transferred, for $1, from trustee Louis Davenport to the Washington State Parks Board (later Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission).

Reality is Spokane has many individuals to appreciate for the city we belong to today.

In Spokane, We All Belong

Question: Finding how to belong, how hard can it be?

Answer: Don't make it overly complicated.

Question: What does belonging look like?

Answer: Wrong question.

Question: What does belonging feel like?

Answer: Definition of belonging is to have a natural and perhaps spontaneous affinity for a place or situation.

That definition feels simple enough. It is to experience and, in the moment, connect. Then why does it feel like such a complex task? When belonging is confused with identifying or fitting in. Human nature is to organize the world around them, and a great strategy in accomplishing this is labeling; however, when there is too much focus on the label there isn't always enough space to recognize the value of a moment and recognize a bond.

Example:

If I identify as a local writer and a novice historian. What community do I fit in to? That question alone makes the anxiety of feeling like an imposter creep in. However, if I step back and simply enjoy the process then I can recognize I belong to something greater than myself. I connect with the past. Live in the present. Write for the future.

The value of a moment. There is no better teacher for this life lesson than a child. Kids embrace the world around them. They belong at their local park with all the other kids. They belong at the river's edge throwing rocks into the current. They belong at the top of the mountain and overlooking the place they call home. And they belong as they feed a garbage eating goat.

Belonging is being present in the moment and as Kid realized,

Being here with you!