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47 °F 5 Day Forecast Sunday, November 30, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 15, 2003 Greenway gets $2 million boost Federal transportation funds will help complete the 18-mile Bear Creek path begun three decades ago By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The Bear Creek Greenway has landed $2 million in federal transportation funds — enough money to finish the 18- mile path between Ashland and Central Point. The funds come on the heels of a state grant of $1.5 million in lottery money announced this week. "This is so much good news it’s incredible," said Joy Olson, executive director of the Bear Creek Greenway Foundation. Olson was hired in March as the first employee of the nonprofit organization that has raised money for the greenway for 25 years. Her job was to raise enough money to finish some key gaps in the trail. The foundation estimated that the cost would range from $3 million to $3.5 million. Advertisement "This has been quite a week — 30 years in the making, then bang," said Al Densmore, of Medford, who helped organize the project in the early 1970s. The money that came through this week will fund the construction of nine segments of the trail covering 4 miles. It will include three bridges, Olson said. "The best thing is we get to complete the middle," she said. "We have the money now to really connect it." To be built are stretches of the trail between Talent and Phoenix, between Phoenix and Medford and between Pine Street and Upton Road in Central Point, she said. A section of trail through Phoenix is under construction now and a short stretch in Ashland also is planned. All the work could be done by this time next year, Olson said. If money is left over after construction is complete, the greenway foundation will set up an endowment fund to care for the trail, she said. Densmore said other enhancements along the trail, such as a loop into West Medford, might be considered. Trail advocates also dream of extending the trail to Rogue River and this money could provide a push in that direction, he and Olson said. Olson, who learned of the federal money at about 5 p.m. Friday, said it’s unclear so far who will administer the federal funds and when they will arrive. The roots of the greenway stretch back to the late 1800s, when 400 bicyclists paid a $1.25 tax to build a bicycle trail to link Central Point, Ashland and Jacksonville. The idea resurfaced in the early 1970s and the Oregon Department of Transportation built the first 3.4-mile stretch of the pedestrian path through Medford in 1973. Volunteers raised money, often relying on federal grants, for bursts of construction. Rotary clubs have adopted the project, spurring it with donations that helped show grassroots support, Olson and Densmore said. That support was crucial when Olson appealed for government help, she said. She praised state and federal representatives for their support. "As with so many projects in Oregon, Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden worked together to see that the community wins," said Geoff Stuckart, a Wyden spokesman. He said the greenway garnered Senate support because the project will create construction jobs, provide transportation alternatives and enhance the area’s quality of life. The Senate included the project in a transportation package earlier this year. Friday a conference committee hammering out differences between House and Senate transportation packages approved funding the project. Now both chambers must approve the final package and send it on to the president for his signature. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times