The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians are taking advantage of Oregon’s tight state budget by opening a privately-run rest area off a busy interstate in Douglas County near Canyonville.

The Jordan Creek rest area will feature a fenced dog area and picnic area, among other unique features. It replaces a state-run rest area that is being closed due to budget cuts, the News-Review Today reports.

The Cow Creek figure that if people stop and enjoy the space, they might decided the visit the tribe’s other services, like its casinos and stores.

“Once they stop, they’ll come back,” predicted Tonya Theiss-Skrip, the tribe’s special projects officer. “I think it’s good for the community at large, the state and the tribe.”

Jordan Creek has been designated a “rest stop,” rather than a “rest area,” to distinguish it from the state-operated stations. The restrooms have heated floors and hand dryers that flow warm air on both sides of the hands at once. Tribal security officers will patrol the rest stop.

Jenna Cederberg