VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
North Dam Park includes shade and lawn for all kinds of play, but also eight acres for hiking, two softball fields and a skate park.
Parks and Viewpoints
What are the local choices for a picnic, viewing, easy hike or bike trail?
• Banks Lake Park – maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, is located on SR-155, just 0.3 miles south of its junction with SR-174 just above North Dam Park. It overlooks Banks Lake and has picnic areas, water and restrooms. • North Dam Park is adjacent to Banks Lake Park and offers a shady picnic area, tennis courts, softball fields, amphitheater, horseshoe pits, a covered grill, picnic areas and playground equipment for children. A novelty of the park, the Gehrke Windmill Garden is a frequent tourist stop. Built by a local resident, who made over 680 of them before his death several years ago, the windmills are constructed of castaway iron pieces and painted in bright colors. Emil Gehrke’s windmills are recognized as“folk art”treasures and have been given media coverage on television, and in National Geographic and Sunset magazines. • Shane Proctor Park (formerly Grand Coulee City Park) – located on SR-174 east in Grand Coulee. A children’s play area and an adjacent picnic section are found in this tree-shaded park. A large basalt rock in the center is typical of the natural landscape of the Grand Coulee. Restrooms and water are available. A proposal was made 26
to the Grand Coulee City Council to rename the park in honor of Shane Proctor, who has distinguished himself on the professional bull riding and rodeo circuits, having won the World Champion PRCA Bull Riding title in 2011. Procter was a graduate of Lake Roosevelt High School in 2003 and has been a rodeo contender ever since. • Douglas Park – found on SR-155 in the town of Coulee Dam. This well-manicured park, just below Grand Coulee Dam, has large evergreen trees shading its picnic tables. A paved sidewalk takes the visitor to a scenic spot along the river, providing an excellent view of the dam. • Cole Park – also maintained by Coulee Dam, affords a variety of recreational activities.It is located just off SR-155, five minutes north of the Visitor Center. Do not cross the Columbia River Bridge but continue north onto Columbia Avenue past the bridge. The park is located one block ahead on the west side of the river next to the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union. It is a pleasant area shaded by large trees and offers tennis, handball, horseshoes and basketball courts. • Mason City Memorial Park – a Coulee Dam town park, is located in east Coulee Dam adjacent to the shopping center and post office. It contains picnic table, grills and play equipment in a shaded setting. Mason City was the early name of a portion of the town now called Coulee Dam. The town of Coulee Dam boasts a new park with provisions for viewing the laser show at Grand Coulee Dam. Freedom Point Plaza is adjacent to the Columbia River Bridge, across the street from the shopping area, and features live performances from time to time.
