NWTA knows the Rocky Point trails are near and dear to so many members. The Rocky Point trail system, historically referred to as the Scappoose trails, was officially brought online in 2018 when NWTA signed a recreational lease with the landowner. Under NWTA’s stewardship, the property has become the closest major mountain bike trail system to Portland with nearly 40 miles of trails – while still very much maintaining its primary designation as a commercial forest.
After a number of years in process, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) has acquired the Rocky Point property and transferred ownership to Oregon State University (OSU), to be managed by the College of Forestry as a research and demonstration forest known as the “Tualatin Mountain Forest.”
The intent is — and always was — to include and enhance public access to the property as part of OSU’s research, education, and outreach priorities for the forest. There is no indication that recreational access, specifically mountain biking, will be removed from the property.
Under the new agreement with OSU there will be no immediate changes to NWTA member access to the Tualatin Mountain Forest (“Rocky Point”).
NWTA is supportive of and excited for the potential under this new partnership. Public access is a key part of OSU’s vision for the Tualatin Mountain Forest. The College of Forestry plans to offer a variety of recreational opportunities on the forest in the future, carefully balancing these with research and demonstration activities. And importantly, OSU’s stewardship of the land as an actively managed research forest will protect this area from future development.
NWTA Leadership is in regular communication with OSU and has signed an agreement for trail stewardship similar to those we hold with our other 10+ land management partners. OSU is very conscious of the fact that maintaining access provides much-needed outdoor recreation opportunities close to Oregon’s diverse population center. NWTA has built a great relationship with the current landowner, and we welcome continuing to build a relationship in forest research, education, conservation and recreation with OSU.