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--> --> Robert McLellan, an Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association member, discusses city-owned land he would like to see improved as part of a trails and open space network encircling the city. Ashland Daily Tidings/AMY ALONZO Trail system planned for Ashland By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings A recently formed group of residents envisions an "emerald necklace" of trails and open spaces surrounding Ashland and financed through private contributions and grants. "This would be a private, non-profit group working side by side with the Ashland Parks (and Recreation) Commission to create a circle of viewshed and trails," said Robert McLellan, a communications consultant and member of the budding Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association. The group has received inspiration from the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, a grassroots organization which has created a six-mile trail system surrounding much of historic Jacksonville. The Ashland Parks and Recreation Department is nearing the end of its abilities to acquire any additional land for parks and open spaces using prepared meals tax revenues. The tax is five cents on each dollar, and of that, one cent goes to fund land acquisitions while the remaining four cents goes to the City of Ashland sewage system. The tax expires on Dec. 31, 2010. With the parks commission and Ashland City Council's recent approval of the purchase of the six-acre Vogel property on Hersey Street for a park, little money is left for acquisitions. Through 2010, the city expects to collect an estimated $3 million in meals tax revenues for land acquisitions, and spend $1.9 million of that to make payments on previously purchased parks and open spaces, according to Patrick Caldwell, staff accountant for the city. That leaves about $1.1 million for future acquisitions, with most of that money coming in in later years, according to Caldwell and Ken Mickelsen, parks director. Mickelsen said he welcomes the efforts of the Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association to augment taxpayer-funded acquisitions. "We won't have a lot of money for buying parks and open space. I think it's a great idea. Any way we can help preserve lands for the public is a wonderful idea. We're very supportive," he said. Michael Donovan, co-owner of the Chateaulin Restaurant & Bar and an association member, said the tax funding insufficient, and relies on an unstable source of revenues because of the volatility of the restaurant industry. "It's not a lot in comparison to how land values have appreciated in Ashland," Donovan said. In the immediate term, the association is focusing its efforts on convincing the City of Ashland not to sell a 2.5 acre parcel at the top of Strawberry Lane near the intersection with Westwood Street. The parcel, which could be sold to help finance the city's share of infrastructure improvements along the lane, lies between two large blocks of city-owned open space. The area, used by hikers, bikers, astronomers and equestrians, is surrounded by a network of trails that extend within Ashland and out to vast stretches of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land. Association members would like to see the city keep the land and initiate a public process to decide on improvements for the land, such as a small parking area and booth presenting information about surrounding trails. Members also are continuing to work on a larger vision of publicly-accessible lands around the city acquired through private funds, grants and private land easements. McLellan said trails on the lands could be used by residents living throughout Ashland and tourists to the city. With a well-established trails system, tourists could be induced to "linger longer" for hiking, and would spend additional money at local restaurants, lodging facilities and other businesses, he said. Association member Chris Hearn, an attorney and member of the Ashland Planning Commission, said residents need to act soon to acquire lands at current prices before open spaces are consumed by development. "If not now, when? Real estate prices continue to soar," Hearn said. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing