OPINION

Parks For Pennies

Vote Yes on Measure 28-60 for Natural Areas, Parks and Streams

By Neil Schulman  

Smith and Bybee Lakes, a 2,000-acre wetlands area located in North Portland near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers,is already protected - but the water that feeds it from the Columbia Slough isnít.  Photo by Neil Schulman.

   I work in the heart of an industrial district in Southeast Portland. But just a block from my office, cyclists and joggers pass one another on the path that links downtown to the Springwater Corridor Trail. Here, along the Willamette River, I often see great blue herons and sometimes bald eagles flying or hunting. And, every few months, a cooper’s hawk grabs a pigeon for lunch amidst the warehouses.

   None of this is an accident. We have herons, eagles, hawks and great bicycle and jogging trails because Portland has made efforts to support them. For herons and eagles, we’ve protected the wetland forests of Oaks Bottom, Powers Marine Park, Smith and Bybee Lakes and elsewhere. For people – cyclists, joggers or folks looking for a green place to eat lunch – we’ve built a network of natural areas, parks and trails that we can be proud of.  But we’re only halfway there. Many residents of the Portland metro area can’t walk to a park. As great as our parks network is now, another million people will move to the metro region in the next 25 years nearly doubling the population by 2030. Imagine all the land that will be used for houses and roads. Envision twice as many people using the same parks. It’s a little hard to stomach.

   Enter Measure 26-80 for Natural Areas, Parks and Streams. 

What It Does

   Measure 26-80 would provide $227 million in bonds for Metro (the regional parks and green spaces agency) to protect key natural areas, acquire future parks and protect water quality. If it passes, the public will own key areas that would otherwise be lost to development and we’ll secure land for a system of natural areas and parks for years to come.

   If the voters approve it, the bond will cost the average Portland homeowner only $2.50 per month (19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value). A citizen committee and an independent auditor will assure that the funds are well spent. 

   Many areas will be protected if the measure passes, including Deep Creek near Damascus, the East Buttes of Southeast Portland, the salmon runs of Clear Creek along the lower Clackamas, Kelly Creek at the headwaters of Johnson Creek, Grant Butte Wetlands in Gresham, forest land along the Chehalem Mountains near Hillsboro and many more.

   The measure will also create new trails for runners, cyclists and hikers, including the 24-mile Westside Trail, which would run from the Willamette River through Forest Park and Beaverton, connecting to Tigard and the Tualatin River. Also on the drawing board, the Gresham-Fairview Trail would link the Springwater Corridor to the MAX, the Columbia River and the 40-mile loop (www.40mileloop.org). 

Why It Works

   Portlanders know that bond measures work because we’ve implemented them before. In 1995, voters passed a similar (but smaller) bond measure. Ever biked the OMSI-to-Springwater Trail (official name) on the east bank of the Willamette? That was one of the acquisitions. So was Cooper Mountain in Beaverton, home to rare plants and stunning views. Newell Creek Canyon and Canemah Bluff in Oregon City, Whittaker Ponds in Northeast Portland and Killin Wetlands in Banks have all been protected since 1995.

  Now’s it’s time to finish the job. 

What You Can Do

1.  Vote YES on Measure 26-80 for Natural Areas, Parks and Streams in November. Of course, this means you have to remember to vote – but you always vote, right?

2.  Volunteer to help the campaign. Like most good political campaigns, it’s run on a shoestring, which means it relies on volunteers. To get involved, contact the campaign office, located at 735 SW Alder St., at (503) 808-1265.

3.  Use Your Political Tax Credit. Most Oregonians have no clue that the Political Tax Credit even exists. If you contribute $50 to a political campaign, you get it back with your state income tax in the spring.  Essentially, you can contribute to the campaign without it costing you a dime.

   A few years from now, I look forward to being able to hop on my bike outside my office and follow new trail connectors through Forest Park all the way to the Tualatin River. That’s what living in Portland is all about.

   For $2.50 a month, it’s a heck of a deal.

Ski Fever Returns to Portland

By Rachel Wright

   “Old School,” is how Dan Schindler, producer of the Portland Ski Fever and Snowboard Show described the early days of the show 27 years ago.
There were just three retailers, the skis were long and straight and ski racing dominated the scene. With the evolution in technology, today’s skis are short and shaped, snowboarding has brought street rails to the slopes and the focus is on fun and self-expression.
    The Ski Fever and Snowboard Show Nov. 3-5 will take over the Portland Expo Center. Nearly all the local specialty retailers will offer up to 70 percent on new ski and snowboard gear. Resorts will offer Expo-only vacation deals. Company reps will show the latest gear in ski and snowboard equipment. And you can pick up a great deal at the Northwest’s largest ski swap.
    For those seeking entertainment, Rage films will premier “Corduroy” on Friday at 7 p.m., and throughout the weekend you can catch a freeride show, aerial trampoline exhibitions or a freestyle rail jam. Children will enjoy a Learn-to-Ski ramp that will introduce them to the slopes and get them stoked for the real thing.
    Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Each attendee will receive a free lift ticket from Mount Hood Ski Bowl as well as two-for-one coupons to Schweitzer Mountain and Whistler Blackcomb. Show hours are 1 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information about the show, as well as a $1-off admission coupon, visit www.portlandskifever.com.

—Rachel Wright is an Outdoors NW intern and a snowboard instructor.

Early Ski Season?

   Crystal Mountain and Whistler Blackcomb both reported their first snowfalls of the year on Sept. 14. Whistler reported 15 centimeters at the Roundhouse Lodge which is at 6,069 feet.
Last year, Crystal had its earliest opening in 28 years when the lifts began operation Nov. 4. Typically, the mountain opens in mid-November – although no date has yet been set. Whistler’s official opening day this year is set for Nov. 23.

View snow cams at www.skicrystal.com and www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Follow-Up-  

Gorge Casino bill rejected by House

By Rachel Wright

   Earlier this year, Outdoors NW reported on a proposal that will have allowed the building of a 600,000-square-foot casino complex in the heart of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.
    The House of Representatives voted 247-171 on Sept. 13 to reject the bill. The bill, however, may still be debated, with proposed amendments, though a schedule has not yet been announced.
   “The Gorge casino proposal would bring an estimated 3 million more visitors to the Columbia Gorge each year,” said Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of Friends of the Gorge which opposed the casino. “Traffic congestion, habitat loss and air quality problems would result from development and parking lots 10 times the size of the parking at Multnomah Falls.”

For updates, log onto www.gorgefriends.org

Take a Walk

   Would you like to send your kids off to school on foot or on bike without worrying about their safe arrival? Help raise awareness about this important issue during October’s International Walk to School Month. Last year approximately 3 million walkers from 36 countries participated in Walk to School Week. This year, the event has been extended to last the entire month.
    Organize a Walk to School Day at your child’s school and work with teachers to educate kids about the health benefits of walking to school.

To learn more or to plan your own Walk to School Month activities, see www.iwalktoschool.org

Ski Bowl, Timberline Combine for Fusion Pass

   This season, Mount Hood skiers and snowboarders will be able to purchase one pass that will allow them to ski at two resorts. The Mount Hood Fusion Pass, being offered by Skibowl and Timberline, will be good all days and all nights throughout the winter at both resorts.
Together, Mount Hood Skibowl and Timberline Ski Area offer 5,000 vertical feet and over 2,250 skiable acres of terrain. Because their bases have a difference of 1,500 feet, the weather at one resort can be starkly different than the weather at the other. The Mount Hood Fusion Pass will give visitors more options once they reach the mountain.
    The pass, which is on sale now, can only be purchased in pairs, with prices varying by age group. To purchase yours, go to www.MtHoodFusionPass.com.