The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

This is about stewardship.

I have always been impressed with the organizations and individuals who understand the need to preserve historic buildings in this area.

The Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union immediately comes to mind.

The way the CU has kept its headquarters, the old Columbia School, looking like it’s a new building — not bad for a building that was constructed in the 1930s.

The credit union also has protected and keeps improving the looks of the grounds around its building. I imagine it has been a huge expense over the years, but being a good steward sometimes takes an effort and costs money.

The town of Coulee Dam has done the same with its city hall, the old administration building during construction of the dam. We know it has been a huge expense for the town, since almost everyone is aware that its budget is always tight.

Town workers have had a hand in this and show pride in keeping the town looking nice. They show this in many ways. Take Douglas Park, which was once a showplace here.

I recall how we visited Douglas Park back in the ’50s when we first lived in the area, coming down from Grand Coulee to enjoy the cool air below the thunderous water activity over the spillway.

Over the years, certain parts of the park were overcome for lack of care and failed fountain equipment.

Recently, though, town workers started making improvements to the park, mostly from manual efforts to see that it was mowed, trimmed, and pruned. They, as well as many others, would like to see the town get serious about budgeting, or seeking grants to fully return it to the splendor that it once had.

The women’s dormitory, across the street from town hall, was repurposed some years ago by Coulee Medical Center as a place where health professionals could stay while in the area filling shift obligations.

The hospital has kept the building and property in good repair and shape.

Across the street again from town hall, there’s the old men’s dormitory, now owned by the John Adkins family. This building has been maintained by two former owners, and the Adkins family has worked hard to make it even better.

All are signs of good stewardship and pride by those who control special places.

On the other side of the coin is an example of the opposite.

Crown Point, under control of Steamboat Rock State Park, is badly in need of help.

If you were around the area in the early days of Grand Coulee Dam, you would understand how bad it has become.

If you drive to the Crown Point facility, which features an outstanding view of Grand Coulee Dam, better fasten your seatbelt tight; the drive in is just short of dangerous in terms of personal injury or damage to your vehicle.

Look out for all the “chuck holes” because they are bad. I imagine that park people would argue budgets and manpower problems.

It is best solved with a plan, budget provisions, and pride in stewardship. The community should make park people aware of concerns for the facility there at Crown Point. We offer probably the best view site for Grand Coulee Dam in the area and then challenge visitors to overcome the poor care we provide for the place.

Park people, take a lesson from those who are for our special places, and then do something about it!