Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, full of promise and bird songs. I had two appointments and several errands to do in town, after which I decided it was too nice NOT to take a walk somewhere. I chose Falls Park, which I had not visited since last May. At our house there is still plenty of mud in the yard and on the road, and heaps of snow where it was plowed out of the way. At Falls Park there was not a speck of snow and the ground was largely dry. What a treat it was to walk there!
The playground was being reconstructed last spring, and is all finished now. I didn't happen to take a photo of it. The old merry-go-round is gone; I suppose it didn't meet up with today's safety standards for public playgrounds.
I was surprised to find no water in the fishing pond! The bridge has been rebuilt, and perhaps that project isn't quite complete yet.
I took this next shot from the path that climbs up to the overlook above the dam and falls. It looks odd to me without any water in the pond.
As is usual this time of year, the amount of water flowing through the dam was impressive. There will probably be even more within the next month. It has to do with controlling the level of the river and the lake from which it flows.
Next, I decided to stroll around part of the area I explored and posted about last spring. I discovered a few trees had been cut down. They might have been diseased, or in danger of blowing over in a wind storm, or in the way of whatever improvements are next planned for the park.
I love the smell of sawdust, probably because my dad was a carpenter and it brings back nice memories of hanging out with him and playing with wood scraps.
It's too early for most of the wildflowers, but I did find just a few of these, and could see where plenty more will be blooming soon. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to identify them. Ideas, anyone?
Returning to the parking lot, I realized there was a wide, new, paved path running from the street to the river. This needed to be investigated!
At the other end I found a large area for viewing the river and the back side of the dam. The landscaping is still in progress, but looking good.
I'm not sure why there is a sort of terrace with astroturf. It doesn't seem large enough for an amphitheater, nor does the paved area below lend itself to any kind of performances. Other than being a place for kids to climb around on and fall from, it must be there for aesthetic value. It's also good for experiments with photography.
Seated on one of the strategically placed benches, one has a pleasant view of the Spokane River and the back of the dam. It looks smooth and peaceful, but I'm sure anyone who falls in would get pulled through the dam and over the falls, and probably not live to tell about it. I will try not to dwell on that dismal thought next time I come here to sit and listen to the wild geese.
