Community gathers to dedicate new entry sign, memorials at Bingen park

City Council members passed out fans, and beads for attendees to stay cool and look festive before gathering in front of the new sign for the official dedication.

Bingen Mayor Betty Barnes delivered a short speech thanking Versatile Supply and Kelly Echols, who created the new Daubenspeck Skate Park sign, which sits adjacent to the park’s entrance located off the Lewis and Clark Highway (State Route 14).

Barnes also thanked all of the donors who helped raise funds to make the skate park possible. A pamphlet was circulated at the event, listing, and thanking, those who contributed.

Platinum sponsorship included: Innovative Composite Engineering, Mary Hoyt Stevenson Foundation, Tony Hawk Foundation, Stevenson Family Trust, Hood River Juice Company, SDS Lumber Company, Rotary Club of White Salmon-Bingen, John and Laura Cheney, and Klickitat County.

Many other sponsors were listed as donors, and because of their contributions, the park was made possible.

Once the Daubenspeck’s Skate Park sign was unveiled viewers walked over to observe the tile mosaic, finished mid-June, and the new drinking fountain located adjacent to the park’s restrooms.

The tile mosaic was coordinated by City Council member Catherine Kietwit, who wasn’t able to attend the event, and created by the hands of children in the Bingen and White Salmon community.

Two plaques were revealed during the dedication ceremony. One of the installations was a restored plaque dedicated to Newell Pollard who was the Bingen School principal 1940-1969. Gale Smith, who was a student when Pollard was principal, unveiled the restored plaque.

The second dedication was a newly installed plaque in honor of the Stevenson Family, past and present. Both Reese and Eloise Stevenson were present for the dedication to their family.

An unopened time capsule from 1976, found as a result of work done on the park’s drinking fountain, was ceremonially placed back into the earth alongside a 2015 capsule by County Commissioner Dave Sauter. The time capsules are scheduled to be opened in 2024 for the city of Bingen’s centennial celebration.

Live music, a skate competition, and food carts awaited viewers once the dedication celebration came to a close.