Sisters trail plan may be included in county plan

The Sisters Community Trails System may become part of the Deschutes County Transportation Plan, connecting these trails with others in the county and possibly providing another source of funding.

That was the message given to the Sisters Trails Committee last Friday by Steve Jorgensen, Deschutes County transportation planner.

The citizen volunteer trails committee will work with the county to provide this information that may qualify them for future funding from the county for trail development to widen pavement for bike lanes along county roads.

“If you have a plan in place and an opportunity comes along with funding, you will be ready,” Jorgensen added.

The committee also will be gathering information from the county on the county-owned Jordan Road that leads east from the Lazy Z Ranch area to Cloverdale. That route is part of the community trails plan, but currently has some gates.

Work on constructing the Tollgate-to-High School trail has been stopped by fire restrictions preventing the operation of power-driven equipment, Chairman Jeff Sims reported.

The Sisters Trails Committee was organized in late 2001 to develop a community trails system connecting the City of Sisters with schools, residential areas, local scenic areas, and the trails network of the Deschutes National Forest. Initially, some 36 trails were proposed covering 143 miles.

Following a public meeting in early 2002, a trails plan was developed. Since then informational kiosks have been constructed, some routes have been marked and some trails have been constructed.