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GREENWAY GRANT FUNDS EXTENSION (June 6, 2003)
Ashland Daily Tidings -- Ashland trail system supporters have won state and national recognition -- along with $61,000 in grants -- for their efforts to improve trails in the city.
By Vickie Aldous

Ashland trail system supporters have won state and national recognition - along with $61,000 in grants - for their efforts to improve trails in the city.

The Ashland Parks and Recreation Department and the nonprofit Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association have been awarded $45,000 from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to extend the Bear Creek Greenway from its current endpoint near the Ashland dog park off Nevada Street to North Mountain Park.

A $16,000 National Park Service grant also will help connect North Mountain Park to a neighborhood on the knoll overlooking the park.

"The Bear Creek Greenway Extension Project ranked as the top priority for the Recreational Trails Program for funding," Sean Loughran, Oregon State Recreation Trails coordinator, said in a statement. "The project exemplifies many of the characteristics supported by the Oregon State Parks, including strong partnerships, community support, connectivity with other trails and green spaces and an excellent record of past performance by (the) Ashland Parks and Recreation Department and the United States Forest Service."

The city parks department partnered with the Ashland Ranger District this year to install signs marking the route from the greenway through city streets and up forest trails to Mount Ashland.

National Park Service Partnership Programs Chief Michael Linde cited the Ashland parks department's partnership with the trails association as a major factor in the decision to award the federal grant.

Work on the trail projects could begin as soon as late summer or early fall, according to Ken Mickelsen, director of the city's parks department.

"It's a great addition to the system," Mickelsen said. "It starts to make connectivity between neighborhoods. With the trail system, you could walk or bike and never use an automobile."
Ashland's two Rotary Clubs will be raising money and donating labor to help with the greenway extension project, he said.

This Saturday, which is National Trails Day, the city parks department, trails association and park service will have informational booths set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the entrance to Lithia Park.

At 11 a.m., organizers will give a presentation on the new trail projects, the plan for a connected trail system, trail system maps, upcoming trail events and related topics.

Volunteers also are invited to meet in upper Lithia Park to help clean up and repair trails beginning at 10 a.m.

The trails association holds regular work days that attract numerous volunteers.

The relatively new association previously won a grant of technical assistance from the park service, but had not received grant funding.

"We're excited about the grants," said Robert McLellan, association president. "This takes us to a new stage."

The association formed after housing development and conflicts between landowners and trail users led to the closure of trails across private land that historically had been used by Ashlanders.

Meanwhile, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission has bought many key properties but has nearly exhausted revenues from the city's prepared meals tax that funds park, trail and open space purchases.

Trails supporters realized they would have to use creative tactics, including winning grants and easements from landowners, to maintain and improve the trail system.

McLellan said the trails association will apply for more grants, and the stamp of approval from the park service and state parks department will help improve the chances of winning additional funds to improve the trail system.

"The missing pieces eventually are going to come together," he said.

To reach the Lithia Park trail work party, take Granite Street past the upper duck pond and look for trail event and parking signs at the Cotton Memorial parking lot across from 385 Granite St.

The parks department will provide refreshments and equipment. Participants should bring a bagged lunch.

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