in Forest Park, come to the open
house on Tuesday.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Portland Parks & Recreation will host an open house on Tuesday (April 20th) to hear feedback on how to improve access to single track mountain bike trails in Forest Park. The event comes after eight months of meetings by the Forest Park Single Track Cycling Advisory Committee, which was formed in response to public demand for expanded riding options in the park.
Open house attendees will be asking questions of the committee members and provide input on their trail access and park management recommendations. Local mountain bike advocacy group, The Northwest Trail Alliance is calling the open house “a unique opportunity to show your support for more single track bike trails in Forest Park!”
The NW Trail Alliance had two board members on the committee, but one of them, Tom Archer, is disappointed with how the process has gone thus far. He feels the options that will be on the table at the open house do not include “elements we believe are critical to long-term success of the plan.”
Archer wants to see short-term steps that will expand trail riding opportunities. He cites a promise made by Parks Commissioner Nick Fish at the outset of the committee process to expand access to single track by this summer.
On the NW Trail Alliance website, Archer explains the options on the table:
“As it stands, the proposal would include adding some new trails in the South area of the park as well as improving some of the existing fire lanes including fire lane 1, 3, 4 and 5. We believe this is a good start but we think additional elements should be included.”
One recommendation that the committee has not been able to reach consensus on is sharing existing trails. Archer is urging community members to “indicate that you support providing short-term increases in access, along with a comprehensive plan to provide single track riding opportunities within the park.”
Stay tuned for more coverage on this issue.
-
Open House on Forest Park Single Track Mountain Biking Options
5:30-7:30 PM, Tuesday, April 20
Holiday Inn Express (2333 NW Vaughn)
Parks press release with more details here