Jayne Cronlund
District 4
What is your experience with off-road cycling? Do you have a favorite trail to ride?
I mountain biked several times about 30 years ago on trails near Hood River. I did quite a bit of road biking, alpine mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking and windsurfing with my husband in the 90s and early 00s. I passionately love the natural environment and was a Portland nonprofit leader for its protection for 13 years. I also built trail on the Olympic National Forest in 1994 as part of my AmeriCorps service. So, I am very familiar with trails and forests.
The Off-road Cycling Master Plan (ORCMP) was published by the City in 2023 after a robust public process. It found that Portland suffers from a severe lack of opportunities for off-road cycling despite Portland’s cycling reputation. Are you committed to advancing the goals of the ORCMP in your district? Why or why not? Off-Road Cycling Master Plan for reference: https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/off-road-cycling/documents
I have not studied your plan thoroughly. However, I am committed to researching and understanding better the goals. And, I would enjoy a tour and meeting folks to learn more. However, I do have some concerns about expanding use in District 4 given concern for wildlife habitat in the forested areas. Between climate impacts on our forests and increasing use of Forest Park, I want to be sure that wildlife habitat and wildfire protections are prioritized. I a very concerned about the health of our forests. I want to learn more.
NWTA is a City of Portland partner with a proven track record in building, restoring, and maintaining high-quality, sustainable trails for multiple user groups, in addition to providing cycling and stewardship programming for Portlanders. To what degree would you help strengthen and promote partnerships with groups like NWTA to support City staff and improve our public parks?
Sustained investment in our parks and share spaces is essential for a thriving city. Groups like NWTA are absolutely essential for creating and maintaining robust recreational opportunities for Portland. I was the executive director of a local land conservancy for 13 years that later became part of the Columbia Land Trust. I am strong advocate for public private partnerships as a result of my work. One specific area that I would recommend, if not already in place, or clear memorandum of understandings between the parks department and its partners.
For over 40 years, the City of Portland has blocked all efforts to provide meaningful multi-use trail access in Forest Park. Now, the City’s ORCMP (page 72) has a number of recommendations for Forest Park that bring environmentally sustainable multi-use trails online and follow the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan process. Are you willing to make sustainable off-road cycling trail improvements a priority to improve trailhead congestion, environmental concerns and access for all Portlanders to Forest Park?
I would be supportive of a three year pilot project with clear reporting benchmarks so effectiveness can be reviewed.