By Brian Hoop
Expanded mountain biking options are coming to Forest Park and possibly to new Metro-owned preserves just north of Linnton in the North Tualatin Mountains.
The Linnton Neighborhood Association never actively engaged in this issue over the past 10-15 years. But whether or not to allow “legit” off-road bicycling in the miles of park fire lanes and trails has been an acrimonious issue pitting bicycling advocates against residents adjoining these natural areas.
City of Portland Off-Road Cycling Master Plan
The City of Portland quietly approved a long-stalled “draft” Off-road Cycling Master Plan this past March 2023. The plan is the first effort
in Portland to create a comprehensive review to identify potential off-road cycling trails and facilities across Portland.
Expanded access to Forest Park has been a top priority for off-road bicycling advocacy organizations including the Northwest Trails Alliance. Neighborhood activists from the Forest Park Neighborhood Association had long opposed introducing bicycling into the park. The Forest Park Natural Resource Management Plan has long been used as an argument to protect the unique ecological value of the park.
Trail concepts include improving Firelane 1 and building a new trail parallel to Highway 30, directly above the residential area of Willbridge just North of Saltzman Road. This would connect with the new Forest Park parking access point constructed, but not yet opened, off Highway 30 and NW Kittridge Ave.
The plan proposes improving bicycling access to the Park from the St. Johns Bridge. Another recommendation would improve Firelane 4 and open it to off-road cycling and create a new trail connecting the firelane to the Saltzman Road access point.
The plan emphasizes that expanded trail access and improvements would have to meet multiple goals including achieving a net ecological benefit to the park, creating a comprehensive education and outreach program regarding trail rules, monitoring impacts of trail use on vegetation and wildlife, and minimizing impacts on other uses including pedestrians.
What was not recommended were proposals to open Tolinda Trail, Firelane 7, and Oil Line Road to bicycling. The Tolinda Trail is a narrow, steep 0.8-mile pedestrian trail connecting Leif Erickson Drive to NW Germantown Road. Firelane 7, which connects Springville Road to Leif Erikson Drive, is also steep and prone to landslides.
The project website states there is currently no funding identified for any off-road cycling projects. Parks and Recreation has also been clear they have over $600 million in deferred maintenance throughout the city.
Metro’s North Tualatin Mountains Access Master Plan
Just north of Linnton are over 1,300 acres spread out over four separate sites which Metro has acquired over the past 10-15 years thanks to voter approved park bonds. The four sites – Burlington Creek Forest, McCarthy Creek Forest, Ennis Creek Forest, and North Abbey Creek Forest range in size from 211 acres to 403 acres.
The Multnomah County Planning Commission approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment on April 4, 2023 designating these four local parks, though not technically adopting Metro’s North Tualatin Mountains Access Master Plan. The plan amendment now moves to the full Multnomah County Commission for a yet unscheduled summer vote.
The long-term plan envisions multi-use trails, including bicycling, at three of the sites. Phase One, the Burlington Creek Forest site, would include parking and toilet facilities off Highway 30 allowing new pedestrian and small hamlet of Burlington along Highway 30 near the intersection with Cornelius Pass Road.
Phase Two, the McCarthy Creek Forest, northeast of Skyline School, would include parking and toilet facilities off Skyline Boulevard. Design and construction of these new trails and facilities was to have been completed by 2022, but have been delayed awaiting County approval.
Environmental advocates, including nearby neighbors, have argued the proposals will create irreparable harm to wildlife, including herds of elk and the endangered Red-legged frogs, which Linnton residents have been champions for. Their argument is this area is a sensitive ecological bridge between Forest Park and the Coast Range. Increased human activity may cause elk to flee the area.
For more information:
City of Portland’s off-road cycling project website:
https://tinyurl.com/4m9cyr8t
City of Portland Final Report – Off-road Cycling Master Plan: https://tinyurl.com/y3hfm2dc
Metro Overview – North Tualatin Mountains:
https://tinyurl.com/2p9evmra
Metro’s North Tualatin Mountains Access Master Plan: https://tinyurl.com/2hdzxff4
Multnomah County Land Use Planning Dept:
https://tinyurl.com/3j3x6cra
New 1,300 acres of new Metro park land