North Greenacres Neighborhood

NorthGreenacres Neighborhood Wins Outstanding Neighborhood Award

We are one of 3 winners of Neighborhood Alliances Outstanding NB

The Neighborhood Alliance was so pleased to receive such a strong field of applicants for the Outstanding Neighborhood of the Year awards this year. Although we are waiting until the Celebration of Neighborhoods on July 14th to announce the winners to the general public, we wish to let the applicants know the results now.

The winners this year, chosen by our panel of five independent judges, are listed below along with one representative comment from one judge about each.

The Corbin Park Neighborhood/Historic District: What caught my attention was that the Corbin Park Alliance has “Standing Committees.” Responsibilities are distributed and, apparently, not on the shoulders of a few people. So, yes, I strongly believe that if the Corbin Park Neighborhood was faced with a time consuming, economically challenging, and emotionally draining confrontation with a developer, the City, or the County as the other five to varying degrees are, they would continue to have Special Events and Annual Events, they would continue to do tree, in-fill projects, and install commemorative benches. My sense is that the 17-year existence of the Corbin Park Alliance has enabled them to grow as a group that has learned the necessary skills.

The Northwest Neighborhood Association: The Northwest Neighborhood Association has a broad range of efforts that show its cohesiveness as a neighborhood. They are involved civically to promote neighborhood issues like the Joe Albi Stadium property that impact the broader community. They engage neighbors in the democratic process. They support other charitable organizations. And they understand the importance of fun. It takes a lot of organization to put on a concert series. It is a great event to bring the neighbors -- and the community -- together.

The North Greenacres Neighborhood: I choose this group because it of its persistent and outstanding efforts to enforce better planning through implementation of an enforceable Comprehensive Plan and to stop vesting prior to development so that when the City of Spokane Valley finally produces a plan that reflects the citizens' goals, it won't be too late.

Each of these neighborhoods will be honored during our Celebration of Neighborhoods on July 14th, 6:00 p.m. at the Haggin Farm, 15418 Little Spokane Drive on the Little Spokane River and each will be given $300.

The Alliance and the judges were truly impressed by the quality,depth and variety of activities of the neighborhood applicants. As one judge put it: While making a spreadsheet of each nominated neighborhood’s activities and accomplishments did help me see the strengths of each neighborhood, the depth and breadth of all the wonderful Spokane citizens’ work became all the more apparent. I am in awe of each neighborhood association’s members dedication to their neighborhood, their city and county, and the region. I’m humbled.

We selected five judges from a variety of organizations who graciously accepted the invitation to judge for this event and who faced the truly difficult task of choosing between very strong applicants. We are deeply grateful to Bonnie Beavers from the Center for Justice; Bob Scarfo from the WSU Interdisciplinary School of Landscape Architecture; Tom Angell, Architect and the Eco Builders Guild; Roger McRoberts, Inland Northwest Land Trust; and Lupito Flores, Thin Air Radio.

We want to thank all of you for taking the time to submit your organization's application for the award. We truly feel encouraged by the dedication and hard work on so many fronts that improve the quality of life for people in this region.

We hope that you will all join us on the 14th for this wonderful celebration!

Jeanne Dammarell, Award Coordinator
Neighborhood Alliance of Spokane County
35 W. Main, Suite 370
Spokane, WA 99201




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Auction/Award Dinner

Mary Pollard, North Greenacres Chairwoman and Laurel Ladd, our Treasurer and Secretary accepted the $300 award for our neighborhood. Kurt Parker, Pete (Nancy) Miller, Jim Pollard, Apryl Pollard, and Bob Ladd were present to receive the award. We had a wonderful time at the auction/dinner. The food and music was great.