Liberty Lake funds circuit course in name of fallen military members

The inspiration came from a grueling 26-mile course Bob Wiese had to complete in the Marines. The course was called The Crucible, and each exercise station along the way was built in honor of a fallen Marine.

In 2012, Wiese got together with six of his friends and decided to create a similar but much more approachable course in Liberty Lake.

“We wanted to do something fun and healthy for the people who live here,” said Wiese, sitting in the picnic shelter in Rocky Hill Park.

Three exercise areas – or stations – have already been completed as part of the Fallen Heroes Circuit Course, and now the city of Liberty Lake is funding the last two, completing a 5.3-mile circuit.

“It has really caught on,” said Wiese.

The stations feature workout equipment that can stay outdoors, year-round. Stopping by the station in Pavillion Park, Wiese said none of the workout areas have seen a lot of graffiti or damage.

Each station features a large plaque dedicated to a military member who lost his or her life in combat.

The Rocky Hill Park station is dedicated to Marine Cpl. Joshua R. Dumaw, who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010.

The station in Pavillion Park is dedicated to Air Force Capt. Victoria A. Pickney, who died during a refueling operation in Kyrgyzstan in 2013.

Wiese said his favorite part about the project is when he sees people reading the plaques.

“I live near Rocky Hill Park and I see parents stop and talk about the plaques all the time,” Wiese said. “It’s important to remember the fallen.”

Liberty Lake City Planner Amanda Tainio said the stations at Rocky Hill and Pavillion Park each cost the city $35,000.

“And the Fallen Heroes Committee has given about $3,000 to each station,” Tainio added, “for the plaque and the map.”

The station at Town Hall Square cost a little more at $45,000 and the last two – one at the Arboretum and one at the Outlet Channel Trail – are expected to cost about $75,000, Tainio said.

The Fallen Heroes Committee is raising money to pay for plaques and maps at each station.

Tainio said the project is a good fit with the priorities Liberty Lake has for its parks and trail use.

“Multi-use has always ranked high in our plans,” Tainio said, adding that two stations are near playgrounds giving parents a chance to work out while children play.

Parks and Recreation coordinator Michelle Griffin said the project has been very well received.

“The stations are heavily used – they are very popular,” Griffin said.

The Outlet Channel station will be dedicated on Memorial Day and Tainio said she hopes all the stations will be done by the end of the year.

Two additional stations may be built in the River District, north of the freeway.

“If we do so, we will dedicate them to a fallen firefighter and fallen police officer,” Tainio said.