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Ashland trail advocates grow beyond closures Access remains an issue for the 10 or so groups, but not the only one By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Guy Nutter and other hikers formed a group last year when access to part of the Talent Irrigation District trail was cut off by a landowner on the north end of town. Now the group tackles bigger issues. "We have looked at going beyond just responding to the trail closures ... to a need for a whole trails system throughout Ashland," said Nutter. At least five other trail groups have been part of joint meetings. From eight to 12 groups concerned about trails exist, says Nutter. "Every time we turn around there's another group that has formed." Concerns range from local access to trail mapping, easements and land acquisition. Federal grant will aid trail association ASHLAND - A National Park Service technical assistance grant to the Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association will give the community a plan for trails and open space by this time next year. For the group, the grant is the start of efforts that will include fund-raising, grant solicitation and purchase of trail property. Park service representative Alexandra Stone from Seattle will meet with the group Monday to begin the project. It will include an inventory of trails, research on gaps in trail systems and public involvement that results in community consensus, Stone said. The association will name its board of directors, elect officers and file for nonprofit status in the next few weeks. "There is an absolute need for us to create an independent, nongovernment entity that can seek government and foundation support and go out and actively raise funds," said Michael Donovan, who started the association with Chris Hearn and Robert McLellan. Donovan says the community may have been complacent about securing outside funds to acquire trails because the meal tax raised money for parks and open space acquisitions. But most of the funds that the tax will raise until it expires in 2010 have been committed. The Jacksonville Woodlands Association is a model for the efforts of the Ashland group, says Donovan. The Jacksonville group has acquired land and established a six-mile trail system. Efforts will be a complement to city and parks undertakings, said Donovan. Trails became topical last year when several traditional accesses were closed. Greater support emerged for trails in a community discussion launched by the Parks and Recreation Commission in December on acquisition of more parks and open space. Trail groups have held three joint meetings to examine common interests. City Councilwoman Cate Hartzell and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sally Jones set up the meetings when they saw a need. Jones and others talk about a necklace of trails for the city. "It's a very loose coalition coming together to identify challenges and opportunities," said Hartzell. The group might lead to a trail commission that would report to either the council or the parks commission, or perhaps to both, she said. Groups vary in mission and structure. For some, trails are just one of several issues. ATUG, Nutter's group, functions on an informal basis. Steering committees meet regularly to review topics. Its e-mail list has 150 names. "Our group takes the position that it might be something desirable to have a trail commission," said Nutter. The group also supports the food and beverage tax, irrespective of what happens to trails, but thinks a trail system should be part of the open space and parks acquisitions the tax makes possible. "Trails are our park," said Nutter. Bear Creek Greenway Foundation member Tom Foster has attended the meetings. The foundation deeded property between North Mountain Park and the current end of the Greenway near the dog park to the city for an extension of the path. "The parks commission has never really assumed responsibilities for trails," said Foster. He would like to see the creekside trail completed. Trails that connect Ashland and East Main Streets and Clay Street and Tolman Creek Road are one of the goals of the East Ashland Community Alliance. The group is also concerned with development in the area between Clay and Tolman south of East Main. Preservation of a wetland in the area is another concern. "Trails would be alternatives to really busy streets that people use right now," said alliance member Willow Dean. Another group's focus is primarily outside city limits. Ashland Watershed Trail Users Coalition represents hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians who use Forest Service trails above town. "We meet as a group to look at all trails - which to support and which to delete," said Barbara Kozol. The group has existed for more than three years and helped the Forest Service obtain a grant for trail improvements above Lithia Park. "We're a little further down the line than most groups," said Kozol. Ashland Community Trails formed last summer after access from Clay Street to the TID ditch was cut off by a private landowner outside city limits. Creating access in the area remains the group's top priority, says Mike Weltman. "Folks are checking into alternatives," said Weltman. "They usually come up with reasons why they wouldn't work. "I'm very excited about the groups joining up." The Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association has also participated in the sessions. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.