Possibility of new trails downton PDX near Iowa St.???
A pretty far-fetched idea, but I thought I would bring it up in case anyone knows anything about this area:
If you've driven on I-5 just south of downtown Portland over the last couple of weeks, you may have noticed a major tree-trimming project on the west side of I-5 (between I-5 and SW Barbur), between the Corbett and Terwiliger exits. This is part of an upcoming construction project on I-5. While the area is relatively steep (in the east-west direction), as a result of the tree-cutting, you can now see a a relatively level dirt road (maintainance road) going parallel to I-5 (north-south) and the area looks like it would have room for a trail or two or three. Obviously not a huge area, but probably bigger than Gateway Green. Also, there are no Forest-park hippies walking their dogs here, and ODOT will have to do a lot of work (replanting) here anyway. A perfect opportunity to add a few new trails practically down-town, if you ask me. See http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/iowaviaduct/ Does anybody know anything about this area or whether this is something that would be worth pursuing?
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I have seen that area too!
I have been watching that area too for a while now while they've been doing work. It probably would make for a nice place to possibly place some natural surface trail within the City. I wonder if anyone has looked into that possibility?
Forum=Ghost Town
As usual, no responses from anyone at NWTA!
No free time myself
It looks like the ODOT contact for this project is
Community Affairs Coordinator
Mike Mason
(503)731-8246
Michael.W.Mason@odot.state.or.us
Do any members have any free time to look into this project?
It looks like it is already in the construction phase. I am swamped at the moment.
Mark
ODOT project
I don't know anything about this project other than what is contained on the link above however, I think it is unlikely that a free ride type park could be built in this area for a number of reasons:
1) ODOT will only work with government agencies, so we would need to partner with someone like city of Portland, Portland Parks etc. Given that we are already "working" with them on other initiatives -- Forest Park, Powell Butte, Gateway Green etc. -- and that they are severely budget restricted, I doubt that they would be willing to commit any resources to another project.
2) This will be an active construction zone for three years I suspect the road you're looking at provides vehicle access during that period. It will probably go away after that. If it was to remain, it would probably be required for vehicle access in which case any free ride improvements/structures would likely inhibit that.
3) I believe that the area surrounding this is a formal Park or at least within an environmental overlay zone, in which case it would be very difficult to get approval from the city.
All this said, if someone has the time and energy to chase this down we're not opposed to that. We are at capacity with all the other projects we have going, including working on formally adopting the existing free ride/dirt jump area at Sandy Ridge. In that instance, we have a willing landowner who appears to be open to expanding the area over time. Granted, it's not within city limits but it appears it will be much less difficult to get something going there.
Tom Archer