The press release from Columbia County below is related to a recent influx of funding and interest in making improvements to the Crown-Zellerbach Trail.

Columbia County creates new advisory committee; seeks members from neighboring cities and counties

Committee to focus on development of Crown-Zellerbach Trail

Columbia County is gearing up to focus on development of the CZ Trail, and is forming a committee to advise county leaders and work on specific projects along the 23-mile route.

“This is the county’s newest committee,” said County Chair Margaret Magruder, “and unlike our other advisory committees, we’re including people from nearby counties and cities to help us. The CZ Trail is a regionally significant part of a larger trail system in northwest Oregon, so we need voices from surrounding communities to make certain we consider a variety of users.”

The new committee was formalized by county ordinance in January 2018.

The CZ Trail is an historic route that runs from Vernonia to Scappoose. It was created in the early 1800s as a logging trail to move timber from the upper hills of the county to docks on the Multnomah Channel. In the 1950s, the trail was purchased by the Crown Zellerbach Corp. and converted to a road. Later, Hancock Timber Resources maintained the road for access and fire suppression. Columbia County purchased the land in 2004.

The new advisory committee will assist the Columbia County Commission in further developing the trail. Magruder said a wide range of representatives are needed, including people who live along or own property near the trail; leaders of cycling, hiking and equestrian groups; members of local watershed councils; representatives from local logging companies; and representatives of federal, state and local organizations involved in park, trail or recreation facilities, roads or forest management. Terms run from two to four years.

The county wants to improve the trail for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The new committee will work on a variety of projects, including reviewing a Concept Plan developed in the 2000s, possible acquisition or right-of-way of part of the trail in Vernonia connecting to the Banks-Vernonia Trail, and the use of a former logging camp as an equestrian camp.

The county was also recently approved for a matching grant from the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation. Funds will go towards adding signage, safety and several visitor amenities.

Those interested in serving on the new CZ Trail Advisory Committee should complete a Volunteer Application Form. The form can be found online or at the County Courthouse, 230 Strand St. in St. Helens. For more information, email Jan Greenhalgh at jan.greenhalgh@co.columbia.or.us or call her at 503-397-4322.

A portion of the grant funds will pay for safety improvements where the trail crosses Scappoose-Vernonia Highway.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Great news for those who like to take the road less traveled: The Crown Zellerbach Trail, a former logging road that gives riders an off-highway option between Scappoose and Vernonia, has just won a $150,000 matching grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation.
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