Community-informed design by urban planning and landscape architecture firm, Civitas, creates a nature-first park that expands access to recreation while protecting one of Post Falls’ most treasured landscapes.
Black Bay Park Opens, Transforming 60 Acres of Spokane River Waterfront into a Community Destination
POST FALLS, IDAHO — July 24, 2026 — The City of Post Falls is celebrating the opening of the first phase of improvements for Black Bay Park, a 60-acre waterfront destination along the Spokane River that expands access to nature and recreation while preserving the site’s unique ecological character. Designed by landscape architecture and urban design firm Civitas, the park reflects years of collaboration with residents to create a public space that is welcoming, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the community’s vision.
Long cherished by local adventurers yet largely undiscovered by many residents, Black Bay Park has been transformed into a destination where people of all ages and abilities can experience one of North Idaho’s most remarkable natural assets. Rather than reshaping the landscape, the design embraces the site’s existing character, carefully balancing environmental stewardship with new opportunities for recreation, gathering, and exploration.
“Black Bay Park demonstrates what’s possible when a community helps shape its own future,” said Scott Jordan, Principal, Civitas. “From the very beginning, residents told us they wanted to protect what makes this place special while making it easier for everyone to experience it. The result is a park that preserves the landscape, strengthens community connections, and ensures more people can enjoy the Spokane River for generations to come.”
The design process was driven by one guiding principle: listen first. Recognizing that Post Falls had never undertaken a community visioning effort of this scale, Civitas developed an extensive public engagement program that invited participation in approachable, creative ways.
Community conversations began during the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting celebration and continued through workshops, interviews, and public meetings, ensuring voices from across the community helped shape the park’s future.
Residents consistently emphasized protecting Black Bay Park’s natural character while improving everyday amenities and creating safer, more welcoming access to the waterfront. Their feedback directly informed the park’s new amenities, including enhanced arrival areas, overlooks, gathering spaces, improved water access, recreation opportunities, and expanded visitor facilities.
Accessibility became one of the defining priorities of the project. Inspired by conversations with community members, including a parent who shared that using a wheelchair often prevented them from fully experiencing the park alongside their child, the design team looked beyond minimum accessibility standards to create an environment where everyone could meaningfully engage with the landscape.
Working with more than 100 feet of elevation change, Civitas designed an interconnected circulation network that follows the site’s natural topography through gently sloping, looping pathways, allowing visitors of varying mobility levels to explore the park and reach the waterfront comfortably. As part of the initial phase of construction, the project implemented an ADA-compliant accessway down to the water’s edge, where a new fully accessible boardwalk and swimming pier allow users of all mobility levels an opportunity to put their toes in the water and enjoy the beauty of the Spokane River.
Environmental restoration is equally central to the project. Extensive riverbank stabilization and riparian habitat restoration help reduce erosion, improve ecological health, and ensure the landscape remains resilient while accommodating increased public use.
More than a new park, Black Bay Park represents a long-term investment in public health, environmental stewardship, and community connection. By expanding equitable access to nature and creating spaces where residents of all abilities can gather, explore and recreate, the project establishes a new model for inclusive waterfront design in communities across the country.
To celebrate the park’s recent upgrades, the City of Post Falls will host a community grand reopening celebration on Tuesday, July 28, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, complimentary s’mores around the park’s new fire pits, and a self-guided walk that introduces visitors to future trail rest areas envisioned in the park’s long-term master plan. Community members are invited to explore the newly opened amenities, experience the restored waterfront, and celebrate the realization of a vision shaped by the people of Post Falls.
For images, additional information and interview requests, please contact civitas@agencypr.co.
About Civitas
Founded in 1984 with the core purpose of “creating healthier cities,” Civitas is an idea-based practice of urban designers, architects, and landscape architects engaged in strategic planning for urban change and project design for built works. Curbed has recognized Civitas as one of five practitioners “who are putting the public back in public space.” Fast Company has acknowledged Civitas in its Innovation by Design Awards. A consultancy and a design studio, Civitas advises on a wide range of strategies for re-imagining urban life and places, working in U.S. cities coast to coast and around the world. For additional information, visit civitasinc.com.
