Northwest Trail Alliance: Advocacy Alert

By White Lotus Media on March 20, 2018 • ( 0 )

We need your help!
Portland Parks Board, April 3, 3-5pm.

On April 3rd from 3-5pm, the Portland Parks Board will meet to listen to input and consider the draft Off-Road Cycling Master Plan (ORCMP). Please check for location updates here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/38303

The Parks Board is also taking written comments until this Friday, March 23rd at 1:00pm.

Action 1: Submit a 1-2 page written comment to the Portland Parks Board. DUE this Friday, March 23 at 1:00 pm. Your comments will be provided to Board for review.

Send your comments to:

TO: Hailee.Vandiver@portlandoregon.gov
CC: BPS ORCMP < offroadcycling@portlandoregon.gov>
Mayor Ted Wheeler < MayorWheeler@portlandoregon.gov >
Commissioner Dan Saltzman < dan@portlandoregon.gov>
Commissioner Nick Fish < nick@portlandoregon.gov>
Commissioner Amanda Fritz < Amanda@portlandoregon.gov>
Commissioner Chloe Eudaly < chloe@portlandoregon.gov>
Share with NWTA < sharemyinput@nw-trail.org>

Tell your story:
• Provide your name and contact information.
• Be brief (1-2 pages).
• Be personal.
• Use real examples.
• Focus on community access.
• We want access to safe outdoor activity within city limits.
• We want a plan that reflects the evolving needs of our community.
• Our youth need access to nature. Our families need these opportunities.
People protect what they love, and they love what they have access to, especially when they experience it in the ways they most enjoy – we can grow environmental stewardship.

Discuss features of the ORCMP:
• Overall, a positive outline of what could be accomplished, but light on study/assessment recommendations, and heavy on restriction/closure recommendations.
• Disappointing options for Forest Park – Proposed trail options do not meet community needs, as they would be too steep for most youth & beginners, and do not provide connectors to create a longer ride.
• Misses opportunities to reopen access to existing trails that could be used as bike-friendly connectors or routes.
• Misses opportunities to reconnect neighborhoods separated by trails closed to bikes in natural areas and provide Safe Routes To School.
• Encourage immediate initiation and full funding for the Comprehensive Trail Plan (ORCMP p.66)

The Parks Board will use your input to help shape their recommendations to the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS). BPS will integrate those comments along with other public input and will then finalize the ORCMP for presentation to City Council for consideration/adoption. There will be at least one more public comment opportunity at that time and then City Council will vote. The commissioners can propose modifications before voting, so make sure you cc them in your written comments – make your voice heard!

Action 2: Show up April 3rd. Bring your kids. Be recognized. Leave your full-face helmet at home.

Action 3: Express your support to the Mayor < MayorWheeler@portlandoregon.gov> for his comments to the Parks Board (Check out a summary here.)