*** Editorial - Flap points to need for parks district ***

Grand Coulee, Washington -- 10/23/2003
It's actually been brewing for years.

The current ruckus over Coulee Dam's attempts to deal with the
skateboard issue, is just a specific result of the whole area's lack
of attention to what in most communities is a major public interest
- parks and recreation.

Each of the small towns that comprise this community lacks the
resources to consistently do much more than mow the park lawns.
And let's face it; if any one of us had to choose between keeping
the water system working, the sewers flowing, the streets passable
or the park lawns green, there wouldn't be much of a contest.

Given that necessarily low point on the urgency scale, it's also
too much to expect any kind of comprehensive, coordinated
plan for the whole area to come out of four separate city halls.

Over the last decade, park improvements have been made,
thanks to town employees, leaders and volunteers who have
made the extra effort to find grants and raise money. Coulee
Dam's recent rebuild of much of historic Douglas Park, its
expansion of Mason City Memorial Park and Freedom Point
Plaza are prime examples. So are Grand Coulee's softball fields,
the new restrooms and concession stand there, and new playground
equipment.

But the overriding concern for the last dozen years has been
keeping open, and now re-opening, a swimming pool. That's
an investment that no single town can or should make on
behalf of all the others.

While adults have focused on that issue, some in the age group
most susceptible to dangerous recreational choices (drugs and alcohol)
have been seeking alternative thrills through skateboards. Hey, who
knew?
Certainly, that issue wasn't on the radar screens of most local leaders.

It might well have been had there been a formal parks and
recreation board. Although the question of forming one was
placed on the ballot for Nov. 4 mainly for the purpose of pursuing
a swimming pool, commissioners would likely find more on their
legislative plate in the near future.

At present, there is no danger of increased taxes from such a district;
there's no room in the junior taxing district hierarchy because Coulee
Dam is taxed to the maximum allowed by law.

Even so, the district would provide a vehicle through which bigger
projects could be proposed, coordinated, funded and brought to
fruition. Those could include a swimming pool, a skate park,
a recreational sports league and activities planner and more.

This community will be best served if voters approve
the formation of a parks and recreation district on Nov. 4.

- Scott Hunter, editor - The Star of Grand Coulee

AC -- http://www.genesbmx.com/GrandCoulee.html

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
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