House capital budget plan includes funding for replacement well at Olmstead-Smith Historical Gardens
House capital budget plan includes funding for replacement well at Olmstead-Smith Historical Gardens
A capital budget spending plan passed by the Washington State House of Representatives last week includes $17,000 in funding for a replacement well at the Olmstead-Smith Historical Gardens.
Rep. Matt Manweller was approached earlier this year by volunteers who work at the garden about the water problem in Olmstead Place State Park.
“When you think of Olmstead Place State Park, you think of amazing flowers and gardens. Volunteers are working hard to preserve the beauty in the park, but they need a reliable water source to make that happen,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “There is a long history associated with this state park and its gardens. We don't have a lot of historic pioneer homesteads around anymore. A new well will help keep the history of the Olmstead Place alive by preserving and maintaining the surrounding gardens.”
The Olmstead Place is one of the first homesteads in the Kittitas Valley. Samuel and Sarah Olmstead and their children came to the region by horseback in 1875. The family and their descendants operated the farm for more than 90 years before deeding the entire farm to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1968.
Manweller did add he was disappointed to learn The Threshing Bee and Antique Equipment Show has been cancelled after 34 years at Olmstead Place State Park.
“This event has been a historical tradition in Kittitas County. After securing money for the park I am a little frustrated the parks department was not more cooperative with local citizens. Many of them associated with the event and other groups have donated much of their time and volunteered many hours at Olmstead on park maintenance, operation and restoration,” Manweller said.
The capital budget, House Bill 1075, passed by a vote of 96-2 and now heads to the negotiating table where the House and Senate will work out any differences between their two capital budget plans.
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn the regular session on April 23.
