A trail for everyone

The persistent complaints from some might lead one to conclude the proposed paved trail from Sisters to Black Butte Ranch is bad for our community. Nothing is further from the truth.

The trail is simply a way of making our National Forest accessible to everyone, especially those too young to ride in traffic or unable to walk on uneven dirt. It's an "equal access" trail that we don't now have in Sisters - a winning combination of accessibility and forest beauty.

Anyone who has used paved multiuse trails, in Oregon or anywhere else, cannot help but notice the number and diversity of users - children, elderly, wheelchairs, birders, baby strollers, as well as just families and individuals - folks looking for a pleasant, easy, safe experience in a National Forest they can't get on sidewalks, dirt trails or narrow paved roads.

In surveys across the state, including our county, walking on hard surfaces is the most popular recreational activity (enjoyed by over two-thirds of us); bicycling on paved trails (enjoyed by nearly a third of us) is more popular than riding on dirt paths.

What's so wrong with accommodating everyone? Is it so bad to want to ride alongside your 5-year-old, or walk next to your aging grandmother, or sick spouse, secure in the beauty of our public forest? Shouldn't we meet the needs of an aging population, both residents and visitors?

This trail is a win-win for Sisters Country, a recreational amenity that helps our tourist economy, and a healthy transportation alternative among our three largest communities, safe from big trucks and RVs. Based on experience of similar trails, this path could become a "destination" for families and folks - another "quality-of-life" reason to visit or move here, just like the Peterson Ridge Trail.

The facts show broad community support. The majority of Black Butte Ranch residents and two-thirds of Tollgate residents responding to surveys in 2013-14, and three-fourths of those speaking at the SPRD public meeting last November, favor this path. These results are consistent with earlier STA scoping and with statewide surveys showing that expanding facilities like this one is a moderate-to-high priority for well over half the people.

This path will not materially degrade the environment nor reduce homeowner security.

The U.S. Forest Service has carefully and scientifically analyzed these issues, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

Their environmental assessment describes the proven mitigation measures that will best protect environmental resources.

Fears of crime are not supported by actual evidence from similar trails, including Bear Creek Greenway near Medford.

Property values often rise after paved trails are built; they don't decline.

As a concession to privacy concerns, the proposed trail was relocated more than a football-field away from any house.

This path will not increase our taxes; it will be financed with state and federal funds specifically set aside for building trails like it, supplemented by private donations and volunteers.

In the end, approving this trail is an issue of public land management within the mandate and policies of the Forest Service. It's a question of judgment - whether this new, unique recreational amenity enriches our community enough to justify use of public lands. In its July 2 decision notice, the Forest Service judged it will.

Most in our community agree.

The Sisters Trails Alliance proposed this trail because it complements the impressive trail network around Sisters. It is a singular addition to our community's recreational assets - a forest venue for persons of all abilities, in wet and dry seasons - a trail for everyone. The various concerns have been heard, discussed, and addressed. Most support this trail - it's time to come together and build it. In a few years, we will probably look back and wonder why it took so long.