Community responding to request for North Dam Park help

Several community members met with park district commissioners last week in a workshop setting to help solve a funding problem that could potentially close North Dam Park, again.

The good news is that the community is responding with money and ideas.

After the chamber of commerce set up a GoFundMe online donation account for the park, people immediately began donating to help raise its stated $10,000 goal. As of Tuesday night, it had raised over $5,200. Coulee Area Park and Recreation District Commissioner Kevin Portch said about $1,000 has also been donated directly, not through that site.

Briefing the group gathered at the chamber office Wednesday evening, Portch said commissioners were also leaning in favor of engaging the Columbia Basin Foundation to help raise funds. He reported that its executive director, Corinne Isaak of Coulee City, had already been in touch with potential donors to help in the current situation.

The Ephrata-based non-profit foundation manages more than 100 different charitable funds for various organizations and individuals.

Portch said the foundation asks that a fund maintain a minimum balance of $2,500.

The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce also collected about $200 for the park at its First Friday event held there July 1.

Donation site

set up

A GoFundMe.com donation site has been set up for anyone to donate for helping with North Dam Park. People interested in helping can search for it at that site or point their phone's camera at the QR code below: