Volunteers demonstrate how to move gravel with power wheelbarrows - a good chunk of the work that needs to be completed on the East Oakridge Flume Trail!
EAST OAKRIDGE TRAILS ARE UNDERWAY and now YOU can play a part in helping connect the dots from our “Uptown” downtown living room, to the Mill Park Disc Golf Course, east to Salt Creek, and south to Greenwaters Park along the Salmon Creek Levy! This year we are focusing on completing the trail segment from Fish Hatchery Road and the Industrial Park at Dunning Road to Roberts Ranch Road. In the coming years, our goal is to connect the east side of Oakridge along the Salt Creek drainage to the Eugene to Crest trail route - completing the long term vision of providing a long distance, contiguous singletrack trail all the way from the Waldo Basin to township! But first things first… ;-)
DETAILS:
Where: We will meet up in the parking lot at the OTA shop space (still signed as the former GOATS trails group). Head north on Industrial Parkway from Hwy. 58, past Kokanee Way on the right, to the second set of buildings on the left before the turn into Brock’s Wood Lot. We’ll have the garage doors open - you can’t miss us!
Who: Everyone! Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This is a trail restoration project that will be appropriate for people of all abilities. Relatively flat and wide, the trail bed follows a former road bed, over a seasonal draw and past an historical flume remnant from Dunning to Roberts Ranch road for approximately a mile. Access to and from the worksite will depend on whether you are driving a power carrier, raking gravel, or transporting gravel with a tractor or manual wheelbarrows. Lots of walking back and forth on level ground, and driving power equipment (very slow going - and we encourage everyone to participate - this is a level surface and the perfect environment to learn how to run a power wheelbarrow/carrier)!
What: This is a project partnership of the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative and the City of Oakridge. Our goal is to engage the local community and visitors in expanding trail experiences for everyone with this accessible (not ADA!) trail option by providing opportunities to help us build a new system of intra-township multi-modal trails serving pedestrians and cyclists alike.
What to Bring: Please dress appropriately for the weather and the work - layers, long-sleeve shirts and pants, and sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots for walking on uneven surfaces. Please also bring personal protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, and ear plugs, along with water, a bagged lunch, sunscreen, any medical necessities (epi-pen, medications) and a backpack to carry your belongings.
OTA Provides: First aid and CPR qualified leadership, radio, hard hats, tools, rigging, and any other job-related gear and equipment. Refreshments (beverages and snacks) are often provided afterwards - anything else you wish to potluck at the end of the day is also welcome!