Spokane, Washington: Garbage Goat of the Welding Nun

Goat still at park, but vacuuming action was very weak. Still, worth a stop by.

While you have a description of the garbage-eating goat [statue], it is worthwhile noting that not only is that not the only attraction in Riverfront Park, it's not even the only goat. There used to be a total of five goats around the park, including a live one in a petting zoo. The petting zoo has closed, and one goat was on a plaque or somesuch and I was unable to locate it on my recent trip. That leaves three: the garbage-eating one behind the Looff Carrousel (spelled with two Rs, as Looff preferred), one along a river stairway next to the YMCA below the trestle bridge, and one above Canada Island, which had been in the river bed. Sadly, we were unable to pinpoint the location of the last; it may have been swept away by flood-driven debris.

In addition to the Loof Carrousel, there is a new open fountain at the cityside entrance to the park, sculpted by the same artist who has done numerous other pieces around the park, including the floating metal sculpture. There is also the Little Red Wagon, an oversized play sculpture near some giant children's blocks.

Was here this past Saturday. The goat is still here, but it wasn't sucking up any garbage. It was still pretty cool.

The goat is actually in Riverfront Park, not Riverside Park (although both are in Spokane). Riverfront Park is the location where the World's Fair was held in 1974 (Expo 74). The theme was "Our Environment," and the goat remains as a clever reminder of the fair. Many of the buildings were converted into other uses, such as an IMAX, Opera House, Convention Center, etc. This park is located in the middle of downtown and is frequented by all the office workers during our lunch times.

I often have to work in Spokane, Washington, and that's no treat, except that there is a fun piece of public art in Riverside Park there: it's the Garbage Eating Goat -- a bronze (?) goat sculpture that is hooked up to a trash compactor. You hold trash up to the goat's mouth, activating a suction which pull the trash out of your hand, and shoots it out the goat's ass into the trash compactor. Hours of fun.