Action Alert - Please Take PP&R's Online Survey on Singletrack Cycling in Forest Park (by May 5!)

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) has published an online survey/comment form about singletrack cycling in Forest Park. The collected information will be used to inform the final recommendations from the Forest Park Singletrack Cycling Advisory Committee to Commissioner Fish and Director Santner. Comments will be received until Wednesday, May 5, 5:00pm. 

It is critical for cyclists to make their voice heard on this important issue. The future of mountain bikers' access to Forest Park will, in part, be determined by input from the public.

The survey can be found here (click on the "Comment Form" link). It requires that you register as a PortlandOnline user and will take between 5 to 15 minutes to complete. It may be useful to review the proposed Trail Actions Map (PDF) before completing the comment form.

The current proposal includes several elements which we support, including:

  1. Construction of relatively short segments of trail in the south part of the park,
  2. Reconfiguring some of the Firelanes to create a more singletrack like experience
  3. Formalizing access to the Tolinda and lower Gasline trails;
  4. A number of management recommendations that will require significant effort and commitment on the part of the cycling community.  

In general terms, we support most elements of the current proposal. However, we think it should go further in providing short-term access to singletrack trails, which was a stated goal of the committee.  We see this as a significant gap in the current proposal.  

We encourage you to  address the following issues in your comments:

  1. Providing short-term, select-day access to a limited amount of existing singletrack trails within the park, in particular lower Maple Trail (between Leif Erikson and Saltzman Rd) and Ridge Trail;
  2. Adding access to Firelane 7 and Water Line to the current list of recommendations;
  3. Development of a significant contour line trail accessible to bikes (5-10 miles) over the long-term;

Thanks for taking the time to complete the survey and making your voice heard!

Tom Archer
NWTA President, Advocacy Director
tom@nw-trail.org

Instructions

by Ethan Furniss - 2010-04-22 09:59

When you click "here" above you are going to be confused because you don't see the survey right away. Find the "comment form" line either on the top of the sidebar or in the center of the page under "comment opportunity".

Yes you have to create a log in and that sucks. I hate filling those things out. Then you will see the survey. Please take/submit it.  It is important. Be honest.

Question

by michaewh - 2010-04-26 10:32

I was there last week to fill out this questionnaire in person.  For those who did that, should we also fill them out again on-line?

Done!

by Ryan_K - 2010-04-30 17:31

I just filled out my survey form.  I'm sure there was a lot of work and some great discussions during the Forest Park Singletrack Cycling Advisory Committee meetings that helped to produce the survey.  Great work all of you!!

I'm really looking forward to having an awesome recreational experience that I don't have to drive to.  From this survey, it really sounds like Portland Parks and this committee are on the right track!

I hope too that recreational opportunities will be provided for diverse forms of mountain biking, including all skill levels and also riding styles (cross country, downhill, freeride, and etc.).  The mountain bike user community has a significant need for recreational opportunities that are close to home and within the City of Portland.

Thanks again for your efforts!

One more day

by Tom Slovak - 2010-05-04 11:47

Get your comments in!