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County approves unified Greenway regulations Cities would have to sign on to make rules truly uniform By PETER WONG Users of the Bear Creek Greenway, which runs between Ashland and Central Point, would face a single set of regulations under an ordinance that Jackson County commissioners approved Wednesday. The ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 10, contains rules similar to those Medford uses for its portion of the Greenway. "The ordinance basically sets forth what you can and cannot do on the Greenway," acting County Administrator Sue Slack said. No comments were offered at Wednesday's hearing. Karen Smith, county coordinator for the Greenway and other projects, said the ordinance was promoted by the advisory committee for the Greenway and modeled on Medford's rules. Though the county ordinance would not apply within cities, she said, "we hope to encourage cities to adopt the same set of rules to apply to the Greenway corridor for the sake of consistency." The first 3.5-mile segment of the Bear Creek Greenway was completed through Medford in 1973. Medford and Central Point now are linked, and so are Ashland and Talent. Funding has been secured or is being sought for segments linking Medford, Phoenix and Talent. Smith said future intergovernmental agreements are planned to allow police or sheriff's deputies to enforce Greenway regulations, regardless of where a violation occurred. Violations outside city limits would be punishable by a $250 fine. The ordinance requires bicyclists and skaters to yield to pedestrians on the Greenway path, and hikers to yield to horse riders in designated areas. Speeds are limited by basic safety rules, but are not to exceed 15 mph. The ordinance bars alcohol use, camping, fires, fireworks, littering, and weapons other than those carried by police. It requires permission for use of loudspeakers or amplifiers. The Greenway is closed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., although the ordinance provides for some exceptions. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA