Here in Spokane, we love to be outside. And with the countless rivers and streams, five mountains within a two hour drive and tons of hiking and biking trails, who wouldn't? That's why outdoor recreation programs are such a strong part of our culture.

Thanks to Mike Aho for starting the Outdoor Recreation Program of Spokane Parks and Recreation, Spokane has one of the largest programs of its type in the country. Starting in 1989, the program serves all kinds of people of all different ages and interests.

Sign up for an early morning canoeing and kayaking trip. Test out your skills on a downhill skiing expedition or enjoy the area's abundant wildlife with a pair of snowshoes strapped to your feet. Get your adrenaline pumping with biking trips and rock climbing adventures.

And not only do we utilize our city's natural assets, we also work to preserve them. Each year, Friends of the Falls (a non-profit organization that works to protect and improve the Spokane Falls) puts on an always successful Spokane River Clean-Up event. In 2009, over 750 volunteers showed their river pride and picked up 16,447 pounds of trash from our river banks! In addition to that event, Friends of the Centennial Trail puts on an annual trail clean up for Centennial Trail sponsors like the Spokane Convention & Visitors Bureau. Each year over 300 sponsors show up and work to keep our trail clean and safe.