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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Post Falls to unveil new water features

Laura Umthun Correspondent

POST FALLS – Members of the Post Falls Water Feature Community Design Committee plan to unveil two new eye-catching water features to the community during Post Falls Days, June 6 through 8. Next to the Interstate 90 on-ramps to Spokane and Coeur d’Alene from Spokane Street in Post Falls, the design is reflective of the falls at Post Falls Dam.

“We wanted to welcome people to the community and reflect the beauty of the surroundings,” says task force member Kathy Baker-Carothers.

When finished, water will cascade over the top into a pool and then be recycled from the stream bed. The features will be lighted at night.

Three and a half years ago, a committee was formed as a result of the Post Falls Comprehensive Growth Plan update. In the beginning it was Linda Wilhelm, Mel Palmer and Gary Young’s inspiration, but committee members Palmer, Baker-Carothers, Wilhelm, Young, De Ann Johnson, Bob Frazey and Linden Lampman have all worked tirelessly to bring this inspiration to reality.

The committee has been visible at various community events and handed out brochures, and were positive from the start that the project was viable.

The project has had no shortage of benefactors. Gary Schneidmiller contributed $25,000, which the Post Falls Urban Renewal Commission matched. Many businesses have given thousands of dollars worth of labor and product. Landscape architect Gary Young designed the features.

“All construction has been performed by qualified professionals, including engineers, licensed contractors, plumbers and electricians, and almost entirely volunteered,” says Baker-Carothers.

Features include a monument height of more than 18 feet; 22 pieces of precast concrete; more than 100 yards of poured concrete; fiber-optic lighting; large boulders; two large underground holding tanks; two single-phase programmable power pumps; planting and landscaping.

And now monetary donations are needed for the final stage of the waterfall monument. Individual donations will purchase a variety of trees, shrubs and plants and help with final electrical work.

“We extend an invitation to the citizens to donate and help however they can,” says Baker-Carothers. “This is a community-owned project completed funded by nontax dollars.”

The committee hopes that other civic minded groups will replicate the project on another ramp. For more information, contact Baker-Carothers at 665-6218 or Wilhelm at 661-4140.