Treaty Rock Park — Attraction in Post Falls

"A Surprise Guest; An Ode to Treaty Rock Park" (Or something like that? LoL)

By Anastasia Dickey

A beautiful day, I know what I need, Head to Treaty Rock Park, Through the gate, and the weeds. Good for reading a book, In this green little nook, Hark! They're very near, The cars I hear, Just above me on I-90. Outta of sight and outta mind see, They could look down but never find me. This "secret garden" provides me with privacy. Both tires and bees, Hum a song in the breeze. I throw down my bag, That I'd begun to drag. And finally I whip out my chair. I plop down feeling glad, And stupidly brag, "I've got the BEST spot in this park or Anywhere!" I kick back, Start to relax, "A perfect day to read, Oh yes indeed!!!" Suddenly, nearby, a snap. What's that? I see some white, I see some black. Seems that I've disturbed the peace, In my joyous bustle, Might've even stolen his seat, Now my new friend wants to tussle? Advancing beneath large leafs, "What stinks?..." I freeze momentarily... Then jump up in a hustle! No time to read, Forgot the book And leave behind the chair! It's time to flee, Don't stop to look, "At least it's not a bear." A silly thing to say, As I was soon aware. See, an entire case of tomato paste, Can't wash away, cannot erase, The awful funky gunky taste, The stinky, stanky, stunk, Of when you're maced, Right in your face, By the spray of angry skunk!

Note This didn't actually happen, but while I was enjoying my afternoon in my chair reading out there in the sun, I did get startled by a critter. It was just a VERY fat marmot thingy. Hope you enjoyed my poem and can picture it as you walk through the shrubs down...

My husband and I were so underwhelmed by this visit, and I was extra bummed because I had been waiting several weekends to come and try this little trail out for the first time. But upon arrival we had trouble even finding parking in the little parking lot because the mechanic shop right next-door is taking up the entire road and almost the whole parking lot with their own business, with some double parking at that. Really, the whole surrounding area is not appealing whatsoever. The actual park itself is very tiny, but for a short walk, it’s pretty and we like the historical aspect. On that note, however, with this being of historical importance, you would think they would’ve taken better care of it, and/or done a little more with it. Maybe we missed some of the trail, which that part would be on us, but overall, this was just a very...

I was really looking forward to seeing this and followed the large signs off the highway. Once off highway, it was very difficult to find. Once I located it in a bit of a sketchy area hidden behind an auto shop, the garbage was overflowing, and it was unkept. It honestly made me so sad to see as the other parks in town were manicured beautifully. The trail was overgrown and fet unsafe so I didn’t walk to see the actual rock. With so much focus on actual Native American history, this park get like a slap in the face. I’m also curious about the wording on the sign - what was the actual “trade” for the land? It feels appropriate to reach out to the city or whatever jurisdiction is managing this park to let them know they are missing an opportunity...