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

Grand Coulee City Park is receiving upgrades this year including a half-court basketball court, a new barbecue pit area, walkways, and playground equipment.

The park, located along SR-174 between a gas station and Mexican food restaurant, is benefiting from a $162,000 grant that the city was awarded last year from the Ephrata-based Paul Lauzier Foundation. 

Old playground equipment, including swings, teeter-totters, and a slide have been removed to make room for new playground equipment, while a “merry-go-round” device still remains.

The current basketball hoop on the park is surrounded by grass, on which basketballs do not bounce well.

A new basketball hoop will be easy to adjust for height, Public Works Director Dennis Francis explained, so kids of all heights can enjoy the game.

Pathways will also be installed in the park that will be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Some of the finer details of the new park layout are still being figured out, Francis said, adding that he anticipates work will be finished later this year, with no definitive timeline yet established.