HomeMy WebLinkAbout3187 Amending the Trails Master Plan1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
ORDINANCE NO.3187
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF ASHLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
TO ADOPT THE TRAILS MASTER PLAN (2018) AS A SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
Annotated to show deletions and additions to the Ashland Municipal Code sections being
modified. Deletions are , and additions are bold underlined.
WHEREAS, Article 2. Section 1 of the Ashland City Charter provides:
Powers of the City The City shall have all powers which the constitutions, statutes, and common
law of the United States and of this State expressly or impliedly grant or allow municipalities, as
fully as though this Charter specifically enumerated each of those powers, as well as all powers
not inconsistent with the foregoing; and, in addition thereto, shall possess all powers hereinafter
specifically granted. All the authority thereof shall have perpetual succession.
WHEREAS, the above referenced grant of power has been interpreted as affording all
legislative powers home rule constitutional provisions reserved to Oregon Cities. City o
Beaverton v. International Ass'n of Firefighters, Local 1660, Beaverton Shop 20 Or. App. 293;
531 P 2d 730, 734 (1975); and
WHEREAS, the City of Ashland Planning Commission considered the above -referenced
recommended amendments to the Ashland Comprehensive Plan at a duly advertised public
hearing on June 25, 2019, and following deliberations, recommended approval of the
amendments by a vote of 4-0; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ashland conducted a duly advertised public hearing
on the above -referenced amendments on January 21, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ashland, following the close of the public hearing
and record, deliberated and conducted first and second readings approving adoption of the
Ordinance in accordance with Article 10 of the Ashland City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ashland has determined that in order to protect and
benefit the health, safety and welfare of existing and future residents of the City, it is necessary
to amend the Ashland Comprehensive Plan in manner proposed, that an adequate factual base
exists for the amendments, the amendments are consistent with the comprehensive plan and that
such amendments are fully supported by the record of this proceeding.
ORDINANCE NO.3187
Page 1 of 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitations are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this
reference.
SECTION 2. The document entitled "Trails Master Plan (2018)" attached hereto as Exhibit A,
and made a part hereof by this reference is hereby added to the above -referenced Appendix to
support Chapter VIII, [PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND AESTHETICS] of the Comprehensive
Plan.
SECTION 3. Codification. In preparing this ordinance for publication and distribution, the
City Recorder shall not alter the sense, meaning, effect, or substance of the ordinance, but within
such limitations, may:
(a) Renumber sections and parts of sections of the ordinance;
(b) Rearrange sections;
(c) Change reference numbers to agree with renumbered chapters, sections or other parts;
(d) Delete references to repealed sections;
(e) Substitute the proper subsection, section, or chapter numbers;
(i) Change capitalization and spelling for the purpose of uniformity;
(g) Add headings for purposes of grouping like sections together for ease of reference; and
(h) Correct manifest clerical, grammatical, or typographical errors.
SECTION 4. Severability. Each section of this ordinance, and any part thereof, is severable,
and if any part of this ordinance is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
remainder of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
The foregoing ordinance was first read by title only in accordance with Article X, Section
2(C) of the City Charter on theZI =rk- day oC a ft 4A-w )r , 2020, and duly PASSED and
ADOPTED this 9 day of 12020.
ATTEST:
ORDINANCE NO. 3187
,
Melissa Huhtala, City Recorder
Page 2 of 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
SIGNED and APPROVED this y-'**—day of'jrv,, 2019.
d'
Reviewed as to form:
David H. Lohman, City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO. 3187
JU Stromberg, Mayor
Page 3 of 3
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
A LONG-RANGE VISION OF CONNECTING ASHLAND'S TRAILS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CITY OF ASHLAND TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Trails Master Plan Update Process: A Brief History and Look Forward . . . . . . . . .
. 5
Trail Standards and Basic Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 11
Trail Safety and Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.19
OIndigenous
Peoples: The First Trail Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
®
Geology of Ashland Area: The Foundations of Our Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
OFlora
and Fauna in The Ashland Trails Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
The Bear Creek Greenway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
QThe
Central Bike Path Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
Ashland Canal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
Wrights Creek Trail Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Ashland Creek Trail Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
®
Roca/Paradise Creek Corridor Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61
Cemetery -Clay -Hamilton Creek Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
Tolman Creek Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.71
®
Westside Forestland Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
75
Eastside Forestland Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80
Regional Trail Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
Acknowledgements and Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
0, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
With the acquisition of Lithia Park in 1908,
Ashland citizens initiated a vision to protect
scenic landscapes and give residents and
visitors access to many of the area's natural
features. In recent years, citizens aspired
to improve upon the area trails. Aware of
development pressures and other challenges
to the existing trails, a group of citizens
formed the Ashland Woodlands & Trails
Association (AWTA) in 2001.
In 2006, the AWTA and the Ashland Parks
and Recreation Commission (APRC) formed
a sub -committee and authored a Trails Master
Plan (TMP) as an essential component to the
city's Open Space Plan. (The use of the term
"master plan" for purposes of this document
implies a long-range, over -arching plan that is
not project or cost specific.) They envisioned
a trail system built around a trio of west to
east main trails with longitudinal connections
to key civic areas and upland forestlands.
Building on public input from community
workshops and neighborhood forums, the
2006 TMP Committee had identified four
themes of interest which were used to
generate a framework of goals. The TMP was
approved by the APRC and the City Council
in the spring of 2006 and became part of the
City of Ashland Comprehensive Plan.
3
The overarching goals of the TMP were
as follows and continue to guide the TMP
update:
• Develop and maintain a system of trails
for pedestrians and non -motorized
vehicles;
• Increase trail connectivity between
neighborhoods, civic features and
surrounding natural areas;
• Enhance the quality of life through
improved trail opportunities in
support of our health, wellness, and
environmental enjoyment;
• Continue use of accepted trail
standards based on approved uses, site
opportunities, and historical and safety
constraints.
Any "trails master plan" should be seen as a
dynamic document that will evolve over time.
The 2006 TMP had identified key parcels
and corridors for purchase or easement
acquisition. It contained recommendations
to expand the existing trail system, to fill
in gaps, and to connect neighborhoods,
business districts, parks, schools, public
facilities, and natural features. A key 2006
TMP goal was to create a grid of trails that
unified the urban area and reached outward
to the greater regional open spaces.
0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
In the fall of 2016, the APRC, recognizing
the need for a ten-year update, formed the
TMP Update Committee. The target date
for completion and approval of the TMP
update was set for late summer of 2018.
The process unfolded in 2017 and early 2018
with the TMP Update Committee holding
regularly scheduled, public meetings. A
citizen comment link was inserted into the
City website. The editing process was made
fully available for public viewing via a Google
Docs link on the City website and an open
house public meeting was held in early May
of 2018. The approval and adoption process
began with the formal approval by the APRC,
followed by the City Planning, Public Works
and Transportation Commission protocols
that would allow for presentation to the
City Council for final approval as a technical
report supporting the Parks, Open Space, and
Aesthetics Chapter (Chapter Vlll) of the City
of Ashland Comprehensive Plan.
The design, construction and maintenance
of the city trail systems should be an integral
factor in the planning of all applicable
future building, roadway, and infrastructure
projects. The trail enhancement opportunities
identified in the TMP should be given
intentional consideration by City staff from
initial project planning to completion. Trails
will be designed and constructed to pertinent
accessibility standards, best practices, and
current professional guidelines at the time
of implementation. The City of Ashland and
the APRC will continue to be responsible and
collaborative neighbors when determining
4
locations for new trails and maintenance of
existing trails and will continue to work with
adjacent property owners to reduce possible
undesirable impacts of trails.
Trail width, surfacing, and other trail standards
may vary from accepted standards based
upon issues around available land, adjacent
development, site -specific concerns,
appropriate uses, and wetland/riparian
preservation. Opportunities to enhance the
urban trail system should include similar
programs and considerations specified in
the adopted 2012 Transportation System
Plan (TSP). Consistent with the TSP, the TMP
recommends a trail connection to every
school in Ashland.
Within this plan, three chapters offer context
to the individual trail corridor chapters as they
address the historical, physical and biological
foundations of our area trails. Individual
corridor descriptive information is provided in
the individual corridor chapters.
The TMP shall serve as a civic guiding
document where the information, data, maps
and findings contained within the plan may
constitute part of the basis on which new
policies may be formulated or existing policy
amended. All trail planning considerations
should be consistent with the broader City
plans to include the TSP, Storm Water Master
Plan and the Climate Energy Action Plan.
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE
PROCESS: A BRIEF HISTORY AND
LOOKFORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
i
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS:
A BRIEF HISTORY AND LOOK FORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The initial Trails Master Plan Committee
was formed in December 2003 at the
suggestion of the Ashland Woodlands &
Trails Association (AWTA) and was formally
recognized by the Ashland City Council. The
AWTA and the Ashland Parks and Recreation
Commission (APRC) had agreed that a Trails
Master Plan (TMP) was a missing component
to the City's Open Space Plan, which had
been adopted by the City Council in 2002.
The initial TMP draft was presented to the
public for comment in December 2005.
The final draft was approved by the APRC
and the City Council in the spring of 2006
and became part of the City of Ashland
Comprehensive Plan.
Vision
The overall vision for the City of Ashland
trail system was developed in 2006 by
the APRC. In 2018, the vision continues
to reflect the values of Ashland citizenry,
the elected Ashland Parks and Recreation
Commissioners and professional City staff
Vision — Trails connect people to people,
people to nature, people to our community
and to our region. These vital connections
and values are key to the continuing success
of our trail system.
Building on public input from community
workshops and neighborhood forums,
the 2006 TMP Committee had identified
ASHLAND'S TRAILS OFFER ENJOYMENT AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
the following general themes of interest
which were used to generate the initial goal
framework.
With some minor revision, these themes hold
true:
• Trails as Transportation
• Trail Access and Connectivity
• Natural Environment and Citizen Rights
• Trail Planning
• Trail Management and Maintenance
• Partners and Collaborators
T TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS:
A BRIEF HISTORY AND LOOK FORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Mission
The TMP Committee confirmed the TMP
mission in March of 2017, closely modeling
the 2006 statement:
• Develop and maintain a system of trails
for pedestrians and non -motorized
vehicles on public lands and privately
granted easements;
• Increase trail connectivity between
neighborhoods and civic features,
downtown, commercial zones,
educational entities and surrounding
natural areas;
• Enhance the quality of life for all
Ashland residents and visitors
through improved trail opportunities
in support of our health, wellness and
environmental enjoyment;
• Continue use of appropriate trail
standards based on approved uses, site
opportunities and historical and safety
constraints.
MAPPING: A LOOK BACK INFORMS
CURRENT DIRECTION
The 2006 TMP Committee began its work
by researching and mapping undeveloped
street rights -of -way, public access easements
and "existing use" trails within the city
limits. It identified three major lateral trails
7
that connect Ashland from northwest to
southeast:
1. Bear Creek Greenway
2. Central Bike Path
3. Ashland Canal Trail
The committee used Ashland's adopted
Open Space map as the base map and
overlaid their research in a combined
map resulting in a gap analysis identifying
missing trail sections. It became apparent
that, while it is easier to get through town
on the continuous major lateral trails,
it is challenging to cross between the
laterals and travel up or down slope, due
to segmentation of trails. The five urban
creek corridors offered the most promising
connections to the three parallel main
trails and these corridors were mapped for
possible trail routes.
1. Wrights Creek
2. Ashland Creek
3. Roca Creek
4. Hamilton and Clay Creeks
5. Tolman Creek
In 2006, the need for regional connections
outside the city limits, including an Ashland
Grizzly Peak Trail, Emigrant Lake Trail and
trails within the Bear Creek Watershed was
identified.
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS:
A BRIEF HISTORY AND LOOK FORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
In 2018, the TMP Update Committee
confirmed the enduring need for effective
mapping of trails and surrounding
infrastructure to inform issues of safety,
navigation, acquisition, planning and to
more comprehensively recognize additional
connections and easement opportunities.
The staff of the the City of Ashland
Engineering GIS will continue with essential
support of this mission.
PUBLIC PROCESS: ESSENTIAL THEN
AND NOW
In 2006, the TMP Committee reviewed the
results of a trails survey conducted by the
AWTA that consisted of questions about trail
use, activities and concerns. The survey was
widely disseminated and received significant
citizen response. Comments from community
meetings were compiled from which the
goals and objectives for the 2006 TMP was
generated. These concerns guided the TMP
Update Committee and were revisited during
the community comment period in 2018.
1. Pet issues: primarily dogs being off -
leash and dog waste being left along
trails. Waste stations were requested;
2. Impingement of trail traffic on nearby
homeowners' privacy via heavy use,
noise and trespassing;
3. Negative impact on wildlife and wildlife
habitat within trail corridors;
4. Trash left by trail users;
5. Interest in a citizen trails volunteer
program.
2006 TMP DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT AND
COORDINATION WITH OTHER EXISTING
QUALIFIED PLANS
In developing the 2006 TMP, the following
plans, guidelines, and handbooks were
consulted and these planning documents
continue to offer guiding concepts for trail
planning and management:
• Ashland Comprehensive Plan,
Transportation Element, December 17,
1996.
• Ashland Parks, Trails, and Open Space
Program 2002 - 2012, July 24, 2003.
• Bear Creek Greenway Plan:
Management and Policies Guidelines,
adopted by Jackson County Board of
Commissioners, July 1982.
• Oregon Statewide Trails Plan: Bear Creek
Valley Regional Problem -Solving Phase I
Status Report, Rogue Valley Council of
Governments, 2001.
2005-2014 Oregon Statewide Non -
motorized Trails Plan.
• Ashland Transportation System Plan,
2012.
• Ashland Storm Water and Drainage
Master Plan, 2018 Update.
• Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan
TMP PROCESS
In the fall of 2016 the APRC, recognizing
the need for a ten-year update, formed
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS:
A BRIEF HISTORY AND LOOK FORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
a committee with seven voting members
representing stakeholders as follows: APRC
(2), AWTA Board (2), Ashland Forest Lands
Commission (2) and the general public (1).
The City provided support staff from APRC,
Ashland Fire and Rescue and City of Ashland
Engineering GIS, as well as other City staff
for specific issues. The target date for
completion and approval of the TMP was set
for late summer of 2018.
The process for adoption of the TMP
unfolded in 2017 and early 2018 with the
TMP Committee holding regularly scheduled
and noticed meetings for deliberation and
assembly of new data and information with
a collaborative editing and re -write process.
A public comment link was inserted into the
City website. The editing process was made
fully available for public viewing via a Google
Docs link on the City website. An open house
public meeting was held in early May of 2018.
The final TMP draft was submitted to the
format editor for maps, pictures and text
layout. The draft TMP was submitted to the
Transportation Commission and the APRC
for approval and, at the same time, the APRC
initiated the necessary Planning Department
approval process in order to amend the
City of Ashland Comprehensive Plan with
the TMP serving as an important technical
supporting document.
9
Following the APRC and Planning
Department approval with possible revisions,
the draft TMP will be submitted to the
Ashland City Council for adoption in the
form of an expedient all -in -one package: a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment/Ordinance.
COORDINATION WITH THE CITY OF
ASHLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The TMP will be adopted by reference as a
technical report supporting the Parks, Open
Space and Aesthetics Chapter (Chapter VIII)
of the City of Ashland Comprehensive Plan.
The TMP shall serve the purpose of a guiding
document where the information, data and
findings contained within the document and
maps may constitute part of the basis on
which new policies may be formulated or
existing policy amended.
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS: 10
A BRIEF HISTORY AND LOOK FORWARD
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Chronology of Trails Master Plan Update
Fall 2016
APRC forms TMP Update Committee
Feb 2017
First TMP Update Committee Meeting
April 2018
Final TMP Update draft finished
May 2018
Open house public comment Listening Post
Aug 2018
Final TMP draft submitted to format editor
Oct 2018
Final TMP draft submitted to Transportation Commission and APRC
Nov -Dec 2018
Final TMP draft submitted to Public Works and Transportation
Commission and APRC
May 2019
APRC initiates Planning Dept approval process to amend the City of
Ashland Comprehensive Plan
Jan 2020
TMP final draft submitted to the Ashland City Council for adoption as
Comprehensive Plan amendment/ordinance package
TRAIL STANDARDS AND
BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Overview
The City of Ashland and the Ashland Parks
and Recreation Commission (APRC) strives
to be a responsible and collaborative
neighbor when determining locations for
new trails and maintenance of existing
trails. Most of the trails in this Master Plan
are within Ashland's city limits or the City's
Urban Growth Boundary and therefore
within the City's planning jurisdiction. A
number of trail sections are within Jackson
County, whose comprehensive plan strongly
supports cooperation with cities and
encourages the development of recreational
facilities and opportunities to meet the
need of urban population centers. The City
will work with the County on whatever
planning requirements deemed necessary
by the County to make the Master Plan trails
and trail connections a reality. The APRC
will work with property owners to create
long-term solutions for landowners who
are concerned with trails on or near their
property. Trail development will occur on
private property only with owner consent
and all trails crossing private property should
be constructed only after trail easements
have been legally acquired and recorded.
The APRC will continue to work with
adjacent property owners to reduce possible
undesirable impacts of trails. Trail corridors
that come close to existing residences could
be mitigated through fencing, screening,
signage and other buffering measures.
,2
TRAIL SIGNAGE DESIGNATES TRAIL USAGE AT INTERSECTIONS
FOR SAFETY OF TRAIL USERS.
City trail systems should be an integral
component in the planning of future building,
roadway and infrastructure projects. The
trail enhancement opportunities identified in
the TMP should be given full and intentional
consideration by City planning staff from
initial planning to project completion.
All trail construction and maintenance will
consider aquatic ecosystems, vegetation
suitability and wildlife habitat. Trail
development should conform to City
floodplain, riparian and hillside ordinances
and regulations such as erosion control and
setbacks' When appropriate, a geologist
or geotechnical engineer will be consulted
in areas of steep terrain, unstable soil
conditions or severe erosion areas.
0 TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS 13
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Other considerations should include possible Any of these may be used as interpretive
impacts on water quality, archaeology and
native plant species. When appropriate,
a riparian specialist will be consulted
when designing trails in these areas. Trail
improvement or development can provide
coordinated opportunities for broader
environmental enhancement projects in
addition to improved maintenance. All trail
construction and major trail improvements
on City forestlands that come under the
purview of the City -adopted 2076 Ash/and
Forest Plan will be reviewed and approved
by the Ashland Forest Lands Commission
prior to implementation.
Accessibility
Trails will be designed and constructed
to applicable accessibility standards, best
practices and current professional guidelines
at the time of implementation. Reasonable
attempts will be made to comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) trail
grade requirements and other important
safety features. However, this may not always
be practical. Trails may be exempt from
certain ADA requirements if "reasonable
accommodation" cannot be met.2 This is
most typical in areas of steep terrain.
Types of Trails
Current and future trails in the city of
Ashland fall into three general categories:
multi -use, on -street and natural area trails.
trails for purposes of natural, historical and
cultural offerings. Trail width, surfacing
and other trail standards may vary from
accepted standards based upon issues
around available land, adjacent development,
site -specific concerns, appropriate uses and
wetland/riparian preservation.
Trails and trail street crossings should be
designed to meet applicable standards
such as ADA, Oregon Department
of Transportation (ODOT), American
Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) standards and other State and
Federal guidelines.
The Ashland Transportation System Plan
(TSP) discusses both existing and planned
on -street and off-street trails and the TSP
and this Trails Master Plan should strive for
coordination in future planning.
Multi -Use Trails
Paved multi -use trails are generally trails
that are separated from parallel streets.
Trails that have regional or community -wide
significance will usually be of this type. They
are designed to provide safety for each
user group and be ADA compliant. Multi-
use trails are designed to assure that the
trail will accommodate two-way wheelchair
navigation, strollers, bicycles, skaters,
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
pedestrians and possibly others, as well Natural Area Trails
as maintenance, security and emergency
vehicles. Motorized vehicles including gas -
powered scooters, carts, motorcycles, and
others shall not be allowed on multi -use trails
unless specifically designated.
Design considerations should include, but
not be limited to, site lines, grade, erosion
and local regulations. The surfacing of multi-
use trails should be asphaltic concrete or
concrete over a compacted crushed rock
base (impervious surfaces are preferred). The
paved trail tread width should be a minimum
of six feet to a maximum of ten feet, with two
to -four foot -wide crushed rock shoulders or
planted strips.
Soft shoulders of crushed rock or wood chips
may be provided for runners and equestrians
should space and approved use allow.
On- Street Trails
On -street trails are generally trails attached
to a parallel street with no separation.
An on -street trail would typically appear
as a designated bike lane, wide shoulder,
sidewalk or protected bike lane. On -street
trail surfacing should be asphaltic concrete
or concrete over a compacted crushed rock
base. The tread width should be a minimum
of three feet to a maximum of eight feet
wide (preferred width) with three-foot
crushed rock shoulders (preferred width).
In the placement of natural area trails,
first consideration should be given to
environmental impacts. Natural area trails
have two categories: native and native
improved.
14
Native trail width should be a minimum of
18 inches to a maximum of four feet wide.
Native trail surfacing should be compacted
native soils. Occasional decomposed granite
and/or wood chip surfacing to limit erosion
could be allowed in areas associated with
environmental need, user safety or other
circumstances as identified by APRC staff.
Trails in undeveloped open spaces that
provide a natural outdoor experience will
often be of this type.
Native improved trail width should be a
minimum of 32 inches to a maximum of
eight feet wide (preferred width) with six-
inch native soil shoulders. Native improved
trail surfacing should be a compacted
crushed rock base with screened granite
and/or wood chip surfacing to limit
erosion. Surfacing material should be fine
decomposed/screened granite from the local
area. Trails in developed and undeveloped
open spaces that provide a natural outdoor
experience will often be of this type.
Natural area trails will be developed using US
Forest Service standards as a model.
The APRC currently uses "USFS National
Design Parameters" as a model for the
development, construction and maintenance
of City trails.3
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School programs are
sustained efforts by schools, parents,
concerned citizens, local governments and
other community organizations to improve
the health and safety of children by enabling
and encouraging them to walk, skate and
bicycle to school. Supporters often organize
ad hoc school committees to examine the
existing conditions, identify projects and
implement solutions to address active -
transportation barriers for students. Through
a combination of traffic engineering, focused
education, broad encouragement and
traffic enforcement activities, cities have
successfully promoted these programs.
Communities nationwide are increasing
programs to improve the safety and ability
of children to walk, bike or skate to school.
Ashland has recently been the recipient of
federal and state funding for several Safe
Routes to School projects. In the future, more
funds may be available for such projects.
Opportunities to enhance the urban trail
system should include Safe Routes to School
cooperative planning and design. This plan
recommends a trail connection to every
school in Ashland.
The Ashland TSP has identified a prioritized
list of Safe Routes to School and other
sidewalk projects. The TSP and this TMP
will strive for consistency and coordination
in this area and for sidewalks on all school
routes, on both sides of the street.
1s
A YOUNG CYCLIST PRACTICES RIDING ON A SECTION OF THE
BEAR CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL NEAR ASHLAND'S DOG PARK.
Street Crossings
In compliance with City standards,
engineering studies will continue to establish
the suitable level of traffic control and
design. The TMP may suggest appropriate
crossing options which must be verified
and refined through traffic engineering and
City transportation planning processes.
All crossings must meet Americans with
Disabilities Act compliance standards which
are defined by the Oregon Department
of Transportation and can be found in the
City of Ashland Public Works Engineering
Division. Urban trail user improvements for
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
major intersections and mid -block street
crossings could include:
• median refuges
• a curved path approach to the crossing
• slow -down techniques
• user stop signs
• high visibility "ladder" type crosswalks
other striping specific to crossings
• signage
• overhead lighting improvements
• user -activated or pedestrian/cyclist
detection systems
• curb ramps with widths matching the
trail width
• specialized paving
• traffic cones
• curb extensions
Trailheads
Trailheads provide access for citizens arriving
by auto or other means. Depending on the
level of development, a trailhead site may
include off-street parking, information kiosks,
signage, trash receptacles, drinking water,
benches, lighting, bike parking, a restroom or
"porta-potty" facilities and dog litter bags.
Trailheads, as with other off-street trails,
should be designed with appropriate storm
water and drainage considerations per the
Storm Water and Drainage Master Plan.
Stand-alone, full -service urban trailheads
are not features that are currently part
of development plans within the City of
Ashland trail system.
16
Trailheads may be integrated within existing
or proposed park properties, parking lots, or
other community centers. Some trailheads
could exist as cooperative agreements
with schools to increase trail use and to
reduce duplication of support facilities
(restrooms, parking, ADA access). In natural
areas or areas with slope or environmental
constraints, trailheads should be placed in
such a way to allow for maximum off-street
parking where possible.
Parking
An urban trail system is analogous to a mass
transit system in that there are multiple
access points along a system of linked
corridors as opposed to the traditional
trailheads in the more remote trail systems.
These urban access points are intended to
be within a reasonable walk from home or
key destination points. If access to the urban
system via private vehicle is desirable, it will
be necessary for the individual user to find
nearby legal street parking. In some cases,
existing or future parks can also serve as
urban trailheads with parking, restrooms,
litter collection, dog waste stations and
appropriate signage already in place.
Signage
Effective signage will play a crucial role in
ensuring successful trail use. Local residents
and visitors alike may value guidance about
permissible trail uses. The following types of
signage will be considered:
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
• Directional and regulatory signage
• Continuous route signage for route
identification, way -finding and direction
to recommended safe crossings of busy
streets
• Periodic information regarding distance
to areas of interest
• Interpretive information regarding
ecological, historical and cultural
features found along and in proximity
to trails
APRC will continue to develop
comprehensive trail signage with particular
attention given to curtailing visual impact
due to unnecessary or inappropriate
signage. A consistent sign motif should be
implemented along the trail routes. Signs
will delineate private and public lands. Trail
use designations shall clearly be posted at
the entrance or intersection of each trail
segment.
Signs will feature brown letters on a tan
background, screen print. Signs shall contain
the APRC logo and a phone number for
information. Special full -color signs will be
allowed to designate "special" trails such
as the Creek to Crest Trail and Bear Creek
Greenway. Signage at trailheads may include
appropriate flora and fauna information
including warnings for poison oak and/or
other hazard conditions within the area.
Trail Art
,7
Approved art installations along trails
provide aesthetic appeal. Certain trail
corridors can offer unique potential for
community art installations and interpretive
signage and should be encouraged.
Trails Master Plan Corridor
Descriptive Framework
Individual corridor information is provided
in the individual corridor chapters to follow.
The general template of information below
will be applied to each of the ten existing
trail corridors, as well as the two newly -
designated trail areas.
• A clear statement of the general
alignment route, end points,
approximate length in miles, street
crossings and bridges
• Linkages to junctions with other routes
and trails and to adjacent facilities such
as trailheads, schools, civic centers,
parks, business centers and civic
amenities
• Character in terms of setting, both
natural and manmade, viewscape, and
intensity of use
TRAIL STANDARDS AND BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
• Expected and permitted users
• Typical Section (e.g. width, surface type)
• Natural and cultural highlights of each
corridor
Citations
1. Ashland Municipal Code, Water
Resources Protection Zones
ashland municipal.codes/LandUse/18.3.1
2. ADA Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines
For Outdoor Developed Areas
atfiles.org/files/pdf/draft-final-
accessibility-guidelines-2009.pdf
3. Trail Design Parameters, US Forest
Service
National Design Parameters PDF
(September 2016)
18
WWW
.
TRW
ud
s a� +•`.-•'.�. ti d .d i.. i' �' � _ 'yr J-,��.-��'. :.� � ��d �t. �kp pry°
td' ►� �$ x yamNO
..
Y _
BICYCLES . ` «r .
.� BiC `y� � 3411
AA
Y _ts
W-W
ir
L'
,... fSL' i S.,. .'a` _ _ { r`. } �Rp� b� r,' '•Rs # t,
l~ - ,� �, �+, t♦�y'k.d � J �� �� + ', ter.
f r � LYE• � .y. tt �� �i' 4�- '�,M 'I i_ � ``b �'.ty. �,
+�ree�YrA
J�
s �♦ 1 t8. " '`.». .fit
+, r
STAY ON THE TRAILS AS OVERLAND TRAVEL CAN
BE DANGEROUS AND HARMFUL TO ECOSYSTEMS
0 TRAIL SAFETY AND PROTOCOLS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Unsanctioned Trails,
Trespassing, Camping
APRC does not sanction any trails within
the Ashland trails system that trespass
on private property. Camping is not a
sanctioned activity in any City park or City
forestlands, or on USFS lands within the
Ashland watershed. However, transients do
use these trails to establish and access illegal
camping sites on City, private and FS lands.
City officials regularly express apprehension
about the threat of wildfires from campfires
started by this illegal activity. Human waste,
litter and damage to natural resources also
result from illegal camping in the watershed.
General Safety and Trail Use
Protocols
1. Stay on the trail. Overland travel can be
dangerous and harmful to ecosystems.
2. On multi -use trails: cyclists yield to
pedestrians and everyone yields to
equestrians.
3. Obey trail designations (e.g., pedestrian -
equestrian trails, mountain bike only
trails, etc).
4. Respect wildlife.
5. Respect private property.
20
A 0,
YIELD TO
lJ�/A
TRAIL YIELD SIGNS DISPLAY TRAIL PROTOCOL
ON MULTI -USE TRAILS.
6. Do not use off -trail switchbacks even if
they exist.
7. Pack out your trash
8. When meeting a horse:
• Move off the trail on the downhill side.
• Quietly greet the rider in a steady and
calm voice asking if you are ok where
you are.
• Stand quietly while the horses pass.
TRAIL SAFETY AND PROTOCOLS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Cyclists
1. Stop your bicycle for equestrians.
2. Slow down on hidden corners.
3. Stop for pedestrians when descending
steep grades.
4. Warn others when passing or when sight
distance is limited.
5. Do not ride muddy trails.
Dog Owners
1. Keep your dog on a leash and under
control at all times.
2. Clean up after your dog.
3. Carry out your dog waste. Never leave
bagged dog feces along the trail even
while you complete your hike.
Equestrians
1. Clean up after your horse and carry out
the waste.
2. Do not ride horses at a pace greater
than a walk on muddy trails.
3. Cross creeks and wetlands only in
designated areas to guard against
adverse landscape impact.
21
How You Can Help
1. Pack out other trash you may find.
2. Join volunteer trail work parties through
APRC or AWTA.
3. Report trail maintenance needs to APRC.
4. Report safety issues or illegal activity
and problems to APRC, APD or Ashland
Fire and Rescue.
5. Park only in parking areas or along
public streets that are approved and
designated for public parking.
PREPARING TO RIDE BANDERSNATCH TRAIL.
I
OFTEN, THEIR TRAILS HAVE BECOME OUR TRAILS
0 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: THE FIRST TRAIL USERS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
A Trails Master Plan for Ashland and the
surrounding areas would be incomplete
without acknowledging the first trail users:
the indigenous inhabitants who have lived in
the immediate area for over 10,000 years.
...To the Native American tribes that lived
here, the Rogue Valley was not just their
home, it was what defined them as a culture
and a people. The stories they told, the food
they ate, the clothing they wore and the
objects they crafted were all connected to
the surrounding environment..
(from "An introduction to the Native
Americans of the Rogue Valley with a
Focus on the Ashland Area")
The above quote is from an illustrated
booklet prepared by Kari Gies, former
manager of the North Mountain Park Nature
Center who, under the auspices of the
APRC, collaborated with the Confederated
Tribes of Grande Ronde to write a very
thorough, readable cultural history of local
Native American inhabitants. Because it
can be difficult to characterize a culture
from the outside, it is reassuring that all the
statements in this booklet have the seal of
authenticity from several tribal contacts. The
entire booklet is available online:
UPPER REACHES OF ASHLAND CREEK.
23
An introduction to The Native Americans of
the Rogue Valley
Several more excerpts are offered below to
honor and learn about the original trail users,
in whose footsteps we walk today. The below
excerpts were selected because they offer
direct reference to extensive tribal seasonal
movement suggesting the substantial use of
trails. Often, their trails have become our trails.
0 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: THE FIRST TRAIL USERS 24
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
...For at least as long as 70,000 years,
Native Americans were part of the
landscape of the Rogue Valley, traveling
from the valley floor to the high mountains
in a seasonal round pattern that allowed
them access to available resources. They
moved throughout the valley hunting deer,
gathering willow, burning oak stands,
celebrating the return of the salmon, raising
families, and mourning the loss of loved
ones...
...One of the most significant differences
between the Native Americans of the
Rogue Valley and the Euro Americans
who came to "settle" the region had
to do with the acquisition of food. The
settlers were an agricultural people in
contrast to the indigenous tribes whose
hunter -gatherer lifestyles were based on
moving throughout the region as wild food
resources became available and abundant
(7)...
...Summer was a time for moving to the
higher elevations of the valley in search of
big game, bulbs and a variety of berries.
By early fall, families returned to mid -
elevations where they would be busy
catching and drying salmon, burning
tarweed fields for easy collection of the
seeds and for gathering the enormously
SALMON COOKED OVER AN OPEN FIRE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY.
important acorn crop. Late fall was a time
for communal deer and elk drives and
the processing of the resultant venison.
By early winter it was time for families to
return to their permanent village locations
in the lowlands where they would complete
the processing of acorns and other foods
that were needed to last throughout the
cold, wet winter months...
0 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: THE FIRST TRAIL USERS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
...The timing as to when the needed plant
materials were available helped dictate
the movement of the tribes throughout
the valley... During the fall, tribal members
came to read the signs that signaled it was
time to travel back to the lower elevations
to gather the falling acorns and to burn
fields of yellow tarweed to collect the
roasted seeds...
...Because the tribes of the Rogue Valley
were very mobile, moving from the valley
floor into the high mountains and back
each year, their inventory of household
items was fairly small...
25
THESE GEOLOGICALLY COMPLEX MOUNTAINS HAVE EXISTED HERE
A LONG TIME AND HAVE ALSO BEEN ERODING FOR A LONG TIME,
DEPOSITING SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF CLAY, SILT, SAND, PEBBLES
AND COBBLES INTO LOW-LYING AREAS AT THEIR BASE
GEOLOGY OF ASHLAND AREA: THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The city of Ashland and surrounding area
sits on a geologic scramble sometimes
defying interpretation yet remaining uniquely
interesting and always challenging for trail
building and maintenance. The town sits on
the northern edge of the Siskiyou Mountains
which extend west to east from the Pacific
Ocean and eventually abut into the north -
south running Cascade Range. Thus, the
geologic history of Ashland is the story
of two mountain ranges, both of which
are major players in the geologic history
of Oregon.
Prior to 200 million years ago, Oregon lay
under a shallow sea and the western shore
of North America was located roughly where
Oregon and Idaho meet today.
This situation began to change when the
North American continental plate began
to drift westward, resulting in the first of a
succession of subduction zones where each
new zone marked a place in which the Pacific
plate slid beneath the North American
plate. Two consequences of this subduction
process helped to create the terrestrial
Oregon we know today.
The first consequence: Several times
between 200 and 50 million years ago,
fragments of the eastward drifting Pacific
plate, including volcanic islands and
27
thick deposits of sediment, collided and
subducted under the North American plate.
At times, however, rather than subducting,
these fragments stopped subducting and
became welded onto the North America
plate, such that Oregon grew westward,
ultimately reaching its present size. Some
of these welded -on, accreted terranes are
among the oldest in the region and are
now exposed at the surface in the Bear
Creek Valley, characterized by gneiss and
metamorphosed sedimentary rocks.
The second consequence: Subduction
processes often cause melting of the earth's
upper mantle. This developing magma
was hot and buoyant, and it rose, melting
and pushing its way upward through the
overlying crust, erupting and creating
volcanoes, lava flows and volcanic ash. In
some instances, the magma never rose all
the way to the surface and instead cooled
and solidified within the crust, resulting in a
collection of slow -cooling granite and diorite
intrusions (plutons) that were often many
miles wide. These plutons formed beneath
southwestern Oregon and several of them
make up much of the base rock of Mount
Ashland and Wagner Butte. Rock debris from
the Mount Ashland pluton is common in the
stream gravels of North Mountain Park and
along the Bear Creek Greenway.
01, ,143 GEOLOGY OF ASHLAND AREA: THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR TRAILS 28
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Other very ancient subduction processes
have had a major role in creating the Siskiyou
Mountains. These geologically complex
mountains have existed for a long time and
have also been eroding for a long time,
depositing significant quantities of clay, silt,
sand, pebbles and cobbles into low-lying
areas at their base. The result of this erosion
and layered deposition is the formations
that comprise most of the surface rocks of
our area.
The older of these formations were marine
deposits on the bottom of the Cretaceous
sea that covered much of Oregon roughly
90 million years ago. These sedimentary
beds, called the Hornbrook Formation,
consist mostly of sandstone and shale. They
contain fossils of ammonites, clams, snails
and sharks' teeth. Many trails in Ashland
are built on Hornbrook rocks, which erode
easily, often crumbling into piles of grayish or
orange tone rock debris.
The younger of the two formations, the
Payne Cliffs Formation, is mostly terrestrial
conglomerate and sandstone that emerges
just east of Bear Creek and includes
Pompadour Bluff. Smooth, very well-rounded
pebbles and cobbles of quartzite rock have
eroded free from this formation and can
occasionally be found in the stream gravels
of the Bear Creek Valley and on the shoreline
of Emigrant Lake.
GRANITE BOULDERS WITH DIORITE INCLUSIONS.
1
R--
h
fit
41
*, 4
THE OVERALL SUPPORT FOR INFORMED AND ACTIVE CARE OF
THE FLORA AND FAUNA IS AN OVERARCHING RESPONSIBILITY
FOR TRAIL DESIGNERS, BUILDERS AND USERS
FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE ASHLAND TRAILS AREA
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The design, construction and long-term use
of both urban and natural area trails should
include an understanding of the plants and
animals that are impacted by trail activity.
For purposes of the TMP, the below listings
and reports are offered as a framework
of information. Specific flora and fauna
interdictions or encouragements are not in
the scope of this plan; however, the overall
support for informed and active care of
the flora and fauna in the trail zones is an
overarching responsibility for trail designers,
builders and users. There are specific areas
in the Ashland trail system that require
intentional and informed care of certain
sensitive flora and fauna. Below is a listing
and linkage to a broad range of management
strategies for care of our local flora and
fauna. Of special note is the 2076 Ashland
Forest Plan which offers detailed vegetation
and wildlife descriptions and prescriptions
for the watershed area.
NATIVE PLANTS IN ASHLAND AND
ASHLAND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE:
(USDA NRCS 2016)
For a list of Native Plants in Ashland and the
Ashland Wildland Urban Interface area go to:
2016 Ashland Forest Plan Table 8-1
30
WILD COLUMBINE BLOOMING ALONG BANDERSNATCH TRAIL.
PROBLEMATIC OR INVASIVE PLANTS:
(USDA NRCS 2016)
Invasive plants come in many varieties and
sizes, from trees to vines to shrubs, and the
damage they can cause is just as varied. If
left unchecked, many invasive plants can
cause the eventual demise of desired plant
species, alter wildlife habitat or directly
threaten animals, choke waterways or
increase the intensity of a wildfire.
FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE ASHLAND TRAILS AREA
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
For a list of problematic or invasive plants in
the Ashland area go to:
2016 Ashland Forest Plan Table 8-2
ASHLAND FOREST PLAN LANDSCAPE UNITS:
For a list of Landscape Unit Vegetation types
in the Ashland Watershed forestlands go to:
2016 Ashland Forest Plan Table 8-S
IMPERATRICE PROPERTY PLANTS -
CASCADE FOOTHILLS AREA:
The geology of the Cascade Foothills,
coupled with their southwestern aspect,
provide unique habitat for flora and fauna
that is distinctly different from the granitic
north aspect of the Ashland watershed.
Several rare plants and birds have been
identified in the area. This area has sparse
human population concentrated at the base
of the foothills.
For a 2017 Biological Assessment conducted
on the Imperatrice Property for the City of
Ashland within the Cascade Foothills Area
go here:
Imoeratrice Biological Assessment Reoort -
Pacific Crest
For a Vascular Plant list for the Imperatrice
Property prepared by Southern Oregon Land
Conservancy go here:
Vascular Plant List Imoeratrice
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE ON FIRE POKER.
WILDLIFE IN THE ASHLAND CREEK
WATERSHED
31
The below paragraph is excerpted from the
2076 Ashland Forest Plan.
City of Ashland forestlands contain a
variety of wildlife habitats ranging from the
Riparian Management Areas through the
drier lowlands, to the forests above Lithia
Park and on into the Reeder Reservoir
area and the Winburn parcel in the upper
reaches of the Ashland Creek watershed.
These diverse wildlife habitat areas lie on the
FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE ASHLAND TRAILS AREA
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
northern slopes of the Siskiyou Mountains, a
range known for its significant biodiversity.
Even with significant urbanization and
the resulting mix of non-native trees, this
area continues to provide nesting and
foraging habitat for migratory songbirds,
woodpeckers, owls and other raptors as well
as browse for deer and smaller herbivores,
and habitat for carnivores such as raccoons,
bobcats and other animals.
For a more in-depth look at wildlife in our
trails area, Chapter 4, Wildlife in the Ashland
Creek Watershed of the 2076 Ashland Forest
Plan offers a range of useful information with
further citations
2016 Ashland Forest Plan
BIRDS IN THE TRAILS AREA
More than 200 species of birds have been
observed in the Rogue Valley and its
surrounding mountains in recent years and
there are several ways to categorize them.
One is by occurrence and is determined by
whether a species is a permanent resident,
migrant or visitor. A visitor may be a
sporadic drop -in or one that comes for a
season, usually winter or summer. The other
principal division is by habitat. The valley
contains diverse habitat types, and most
species are associated with one or a few.
Habitats encountered on the trails are
riparian, open -water, grassland, oak
woodland and mixed conifer -hardwood
forest.
32
For a comprehensive look at the wide variety
of birds in our trails area, the following work
by Rogue Valley Audubon Society member
Barbara Massey is a useful study developed
under the auspices of the APRC North
Mountain Park Nature Center staff.
Birds at North Mountain Park: Occurrence,
Seasonality and Numbers over a 10-Year
Period
Birds in North Mountain Park
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS THAT MIGHT BE
SIGHTED ALONG ASHLAND TRAILS
Amphibians
• Long -toed Salamander
• Pacific Giant Salamander
• Rough -skinned Newt
• Western Toad
• Pacific Tree Frog
FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE ASHLAND TRAILS AREA
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Reptiles
• Western Pond Turtle
• Southern Alligator Lizard
• Western Fence Lizard
• Western Skink
• Rubber Boa
• Racer
• Sharptail Snake
• Ringneck Snake
• Common King Snake
• California Mountain Kingsnake
• Gopher Snake
• Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
• Northwestern Garter Snake
• Common Garter Snake
• Western Rattlesnake (Grizzly
Peak side)
WESTERN POND TURTLE.
33
IT IS THE PREMIER CYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTE THAT
TRAVERSES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE ROGUE VALLEY
THE BEAR CREEK GREENWAY
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
JP�
O
a
N C z
_.. - -
_
EAGLE MILL RD
�
O
E
� • Proposed
ASR� ,N
NO
7[„Fr4Ef-1T R,'
(
verm,^e^r
.1 ♦ Greenway
MINE RD
Sr
(N o0
•w.uae
♦ All9nmenl
..e o
..
Rsr R�r`ALMEDA
.
20
-ne.
YoaKLD
DR
o
St
rAH' ST
EASTERLING LN KENT ST w ALDER LNG
f
SDPOFIELD
O
_ a Ov2
IV ST O
EM
E EVADA ST ENEVADA ST RIDGE
•OAK
LAKOTA �. v0 AY(N i
CYPRESS CR
rc FL >SHERIDAN ST CAMBRIOGE STo
ENFVADA ST
j.--------- ip STDN 00 S
ow,n a A KYLAR FAIR OAKS AV
EACyOWS P_ $ K / EAI
w
i1 O
~
0
GRANTST 11G RANDY ST
%%% STONY PO NT
',K ° PJ o GOLDEN ASPEN PL
j 4IR
TUCKER ST
w xw...,
pgKB
r / / �/ COBBLESTONE CT
ProposMJULIAN
s CHEF
GREENBRIAR,PL S CTIS ST MOWNppNIN
I^VIE
1
/� MOUNTAIN MEADOWS CH
I- 1 Inxerlm NgNO NA� — o BOULDER CREEK LN
C WILEY ST WILEV ST
'w I- r
a'.11c, yr m w '
Ow � AU.UN -
rnr Greenwey • ♦. TS �� MOUNTAIN MEADOWS OR
GY r Allgnrnenl • U9SA�
i. f. Mq ___� MEADOWLARK WY
p;
r W
° I^
MAPLE ST SS ; z oR EK /BO
O
l!...
TOLLIVER s HOLj.OW , • • GREAT —CREEK STONE WY
AKS DR
M O
g rc GIN RANG EAST-
FAQ
` �... --RIVER ROCK RD
„,. re
x
z ° 3 O
BROOK }LgWN NEPENTHE R[
�tY i COOLIDGE
£ F O
z
w LUNAVISTA
O
or 2 \
O
"ODIA SYLVIA ST ...
< O K
a a WIMER ST
2
NURSERY Z \� OyD
Sr
eYraat�♦.
O
WIMER ST ^ ty whF
JESSICA LN
Bn
N
OAK-
x FERNWD/WOOD
�D� 5 RSFYSr
PIN
CRISSr C(tirON R
ST
A
GRANDVIEW DR 1.
a SUSAN LN y JWti
PATTERSON ST
W E
4�Y^IpC
y <
WEs
ST ST nnn
5 2 a
9y
POPLAR PARK
RIDGE
E HERSEV <
Q
NEC
BENJAMINOT z Pm
MANZANITA
y xx�•
O CJ CFNY N
ST a J
••
Cl�,
S
SJNSN
O
Et m 4
F QJP
H (IAMB AJ
ENSEN LN
POMPADOUR DR
C
MCBRIDE LN Ol
�°
ORCHARD _ ? OH 5� P�
AJ
G Q
Q2 AWR AI' CRF
3 K
ON i (0454 -•
♦,-...
Ma Key
Y y
NYLALN 'r
S
114,
`�020
H'&
DR
i h
=
O
2 OCT- VILpARk
♦♦
�� z
%`♦.' Greenway Trail, proposed �`+
0 y
? eJSY'SS,
° N cy
�" 5S N�
A,l T =W R y W AS, '
O Sr~
RUBS
FL( THIMeLEeERRY MUNSON DR SEENA LN
`• ' Greenway Trail, existing ~
PucER RUN �:,," `"
Ma
pOP�\. 9
¢ O
ax `' t i 4 0 ,�
T P 5 U r-
O C\'' BS
VILLAGE
z GREEN WIVLDW ROMEp
Ay OLD
j
O BIUE s
.
,.' Existing Trolls
ti
rw.•o
G\-\uP Qq
�
°
W
'., F LIT S O rS F
2
hW yO
MgiiI,ST
O 11 F
'ILLAGE
y _ z OUARE IARK LN EVANOO,,D
%y H.FON
RD
City Limits
°
P y y 2
.` F
4
CST 4
= as, CALYPSO .MIL"
h
z m
Public Access Easement M;.,""".,.°
'�
5�
w 2
m
G 2 z
3
NUT.
5
� e �s
�' 'A, h
Q p OO 'h
B
'� i � '' ORCHID
W � aaa�ar
R EVER
2
0
_
3
``--------
-------------------
Greenway Trail Corridor
ST U�
?
' 9S
h AOCx 9ti
SK F T I, MAIN ST
SY �JP'�KA St-
W (N GREEN
2 EMAIN ST
y..... _
Public School Campus
BIRD -
i
9PL isrA sr ,c, Q
ST `AC11Av
o
E
3
"'
Parks
SONG Lk
,�
z`I! a EW s
3\K
VISTA ST
«AK
SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Park)
8
4
PEARL ST r0
SUMMIT ST A% '
F �
BLAINE ST
� OUINC ST
=
m
IOWA STIOWA STQ.r-'
0 0.25 0.5Manes - o Sara N IOWA ST
CREEK DR
1 ALASKA� O ABBOTT
A\ '
THE BEAR CREEK GREENWAV
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Bear Creek Greenway is a twenty -mile
trail that connects five cities and a number
of municipal and county park sites all within
Jackson County. In conjunction with the
Rogue River Greenway, it is the premier
cyclist and pedestrian transportation route
that traverses a significant portion of the
Rogue Valley. The Bear Creek Greenway
route begins near Blackwell Road north of
Central Point and extends generally south
along Bear Creek, through Medford, Phoenix
and Talent, currently terminating at Nevada
Street just past the Ashland Dog Park.
Several of the parks along the route provide
support facilities including restrooms,
parking, drinking water, picnicking areas,
benches and wildlife viewing areas. These
parks serve as important trailheads offering
the aforementioned services to users
who can enjoy different segments of the
Greenway.
The Greenway enters the maintenance
jurisdiction of the City of Ashland, northwest
of the Ashland urban growth boundary. This
portion of the trail travels predominately
west to east and extends from the Valley
View Road bridge over Bear Creek and
then follows Bear Creek to the current
termination point at West Nevada Street
near the Ashland Dog Park and the Verde
Village housing development. Another three
36
ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION SEASONAL
PARK -WORKER MARIAN TELERSKI AND PARK TECH-1 TRAILS
MAINTENANCE WORKER JILL MULLEN-FEELEY INSTALL NEW
SIGNAGE ALONG THE ASHLAND SECTION OF THE BEAR CREEK
GREENWAY TRAIL.
miles of trail is proposed to extend beyond
Ashland to the southeastern edge of the
Ashland Municipal Airport. FAA security
standards may prevent the building of a trail
near the airport so alternative routes should
be considered on the south side of Bear
Creek or along East Hills Drive to East Main
and around the airport. From here, the route
could continue southeast, following Bear
Creek, to the proposed Tolman Creek Trail
4 THE BEAR CREEK GREENWAV
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
and beyond. The planned route consistently
follows the south side of Bear Creek. Near
the confluence of Hamilton Creek and Bear
Creek, the route would ideally cross under
Interstate 5. Such a route would require
significant inter -agency discussions and
agreements.
A trail extension from West Nevada Street
to North Mountain Park has become the
immediate scope of work for a new trail
building project. Currently an Alternate
Routes Proposal study is being funded by a
joint agreement between the Ashland Public
Works Department, APRC and the Bear
Creek Greenway Foundation Board, made
possible through the acquisition of new
properties and easements.
Governance
The Bear Creek Greenway has its own
comprehensive planning document which
has been endorsed by the city of Ashland
and is administered by several agencies,
including Jackson County Parks and the
private, non-profit organization, Bear Creek
Greenway Foundation. The maintenance of
the Greenway is administered by Jackson
County Parks through a Joint Powers
Agreement between the five municipalities
and Jackson County. A trail guide is available
through Jackson County Parks.
37
Linkages
When completed, the Bear Creek Greenway
will potentially connect with the Wrights
Creek Trail, Ashland Creek Trail, Roca Creek
Trail, Clay and Hamilton Creek Trails and
Tolman Creek Trail. The Greenway will also
connect to Heiman, North Laurel and Oak
streets, which are designated cycling routes.
While the permanent Bear Creek Greenway
route is pursued, several properties and
bridges must be acquired and built prior to
the permanent route being dedicated for
use. A temporary route is planned to connect
from Oak Street through the newly acquired
APRC property below Clinton Street, then
connect with North Mountain Avenue and
North Mountain Park. Even though access to
this section is currently limited, significant
linkages are in place through North Mountain
Park that connects the Greenway to the Roca
corridor and the existing links to schools and
civic features described in other chapters.
In the future, the proposed trail alignment
could connect the Greenway to the Ashland
Pond open space area, giving good linkages
to Heiman Elementary School, the Central
Bike Path and downtown Ashland.
0 THE BEAR CREEK GREENWAV
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Character
The corridor's character is largely wooded,
riparian vegetation with many open views to
the surrounding landscape that include large
sections of natural open space, an often
vigorous flowing Bear Creek, farmland and
Cascade foothills viewscapes.
Expected Users
Users include bicyclists, pedestrians, runners,
skaters, wheelchairs and maintenance
and emergency vehicles. Equestrian use
is expected to be mainly outside the city
limits to the northwest and southeast toward
Emigrant Lake.
Typical Section
The Greenway Trail is a ten -foot -wide, multi-
use asphalt trail. Portions of the trail have an
adjacent equestrian surface.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
New settlers bestowed the name Bear Creek
in the early 1850s due to several near -fatal
encounters with grizzly bears along its
banks. Ashland's section of the Greenway
includes several significant remnant groves
of mature ponderosa pine and California
black oak, a vegetation community that once
38
CYCLISTS ENJOYING A RIDE ON THE BEAR CREEK
GREENWAY TRAIL.
characterized many portions of the valley
floor when the indigenous peoples were the
only inhabitants of the area.
•
i
y r
xi' '' •1 1'i AYE*
Jv
94,
THE CENTRAL BIKE PATH WILL EVENTUALLY INTERSECT
WITH EVERY EXISTING AND PROPOSED UPSLOPE
CORRIDOR OFFERING SIGNIFICANT LINKAGES
THE CENTRAL
BIKE PATH CORRIDOR
°sr
z =
E.i r
a °E
s�"
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
A r,v nw� o�'c rvs \ ansry we sr c"'mssa cu'a'"'"one<ue.°v,oa sr
� ows
r
g E °C srx nours.v rxEvnonsr e�cenmew
i
.�
"r € � unrv°vsr .n�"'�' B��Y /�coroEu�nvsx ri
g rucwcn sr
5 e
wry ev sr
IT
mom.
rvt
u
es �r. ¢r p"Yw/d"n.
�/,
� g /%� 1omiesrorvcc� p
��n°vNrnw nwa
_- --eoouv>En excsxw on
IT
s.�s--s aeuseuw
,,.
°y, s•nt�.?�°�"o<ss ory
1A
owve rvN.�.o
ri gEg
o o«� anuar
E�-_rvnErv.no
"rerv.nc
uwmery
" swa
ru
sr
E g IT
"uusse Z s
d.emw.x
E"^""%wood
ry
orvn"ou e-,
errs
E
x
aoe.�
0 ouervnn s
e
"u
,oe
s
rvvuw
°
4e
a
ee"nu
u°Ervrv°ry
cfl s a
r
z t
s GE
5
syy�
a
Creelr
6
y
m O
pav k<,,,�µ
IT
g •. . ry p -
`°�s Cr`�,
euMw,�r sr
su rvcsr 9
•• .._
w
t.,¢
w
ury
o a
" zr'°s
`r
s o '+x owasr ..wru...rv..e"th ownsr� waif
=
o a
.�oow
aux rv�uv
o�
..ossr.
uu fsrs
urv«ry vnti
sr " LIE IT
n
wx°sreusf snv
N
W�E
�� [Nos
y � �
W"r[x oa u
� '" MrvxcRs � � �. � ",•
F r
5 '
°a
A--5 n ,sHu"o 9r
9irvcm _
M r
o
z
5
ne"a r, e sr-
�° d urxir. "wrvo u°°va °.
A sw E avas,ry m s s
c g. S 3 ouswrvv v m`
m o sr h ,far: sr
irr Z r,�_ g .ron sr
'� rvrvr
�sR
'....,•
°
�s
Ma Y�osr11r
p Key
_
IT
z vaosrecr o p. '� � 4y g
c
o
spa
• a
`• Central Bike Path, proposed
$ o,
°' wrvosoA sriwr M". °+ "ruwnru wirve sr
.°wow .�M: FeLOER w,y
w s IT
Central Bike Path, existing
. uccu a
s°"sEray. _
u 3 ory
" covcdw
m
'
' Existing Trails
=
o �o4P
onry s,
City Limits
y
e "q P g uErvo ..
o"oervos r.�
c� er o o
Ee�rNoa
"pw
°,re°ry
Public Access Easement
rvoss �" rvoss �"
rEncrve,rv°
3
rfnrry
" sa
"
�
v
1
Central Bike Path Corridor
.r
J
"
e�.cie
rvores
.� o g
1
y,rvrvr°"
Public School Campus
rvorvawry ar
„f
mms P
Parks
8,•,
rnrv„ ry m
s
SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Pads)
THE CENTRAL BIKE PATH CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Central Bike Path corridor is a northwest
to southeast route through the center of
Ashland that runs approximately five miles
in length. It gained the name Central Bike
Path from its inception and, even though the
completed section is a fully developed, multi-
use trail, it retains the name. For almost its
entire length, the corridor runs parallel to the
Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad tracks. The
existing multi -use trail serves as a key bike -
to -school passageway and is one of the most
heavily used trails in Ashland.
The proposed two mile northwestern section
of the Central Bike Path will begin at Jackson
Road and connect to the existing segment
that was constructed as part of the Billings
Ranch Subdivision. There is a considerable
gap in the trail from that point to where
the extensive completed section begins
where Fourth Street dead -ends into the
railroad tracks. However, there are significant
possibilities toward Glenn Street for an
extension of the Billings Ranch Subdivision
segment paralleling the railroad and
bordering private land that may soon see
development.
The completed section of the Central Bike
Path effectively follows the railroad all the
way to Tolman Creek Road. The proposed
one -mile southeastern section of the Central
41
FAMILY USING THE CENTRAL BIKEPATH NEAR HUNTER PARK.
Bike Path will extend from Tolman Creek
Road, again parallel to the railroad, to
Crowson Road.
Linkages
The Central Bike Path will eventually
intersect with every existing and proposed
upslope corridor offering significant linkages
to streets with bike lanes including Glenn,
Orange, Laurel, Helman, Hersey, Oak, East
Main and Ashland Streets.
THE CENTRAL BIKE PATH CORRIDOR
a
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The Central Bike Path currently provides
direct access to Ashland Middle School
and Walker Elementary School, SOU
student housing and Garfield and Railroad
parks. It connects the Ashland Street
business complex near Interstate 5 with the
downtown business area via the railroad
district. The trail is in close proximity to
the City of Ashland Civic Center campus
on East Main Street, the SOU and Ashland
High School sports stadiums and the
ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum.
Important future linkages include expanded
appropriate bike -to -school routes from as
far away as Crowson Road, Jackson Road
and the Normal Street Neighborhood. A
safe pedestrian crossing is needed at the
intersection of Oak Street, railroad tracks
and Van Ness St, which continues to be a
problematic intersection for motorized, bike
and pedestrian traffic.
There are several key railroad crossing
locations that are currently "informal"
and unsanctioned passages that offer
the continuous access which is essential
for this backbone corridor to function,
e.g., 4th Street to Clear Creek Drive. An
important element of this corridor will be
the improvement and formalizing of railroad
track crossings for Central Bike Path users.
42
Character
The route is basically flat with views of
the city and upward to the surrounding
mountains. The corridor is predominately
urbanized and there is easy access to
businesses, services, schools, parks and
neighborhoods. This will continue to operate
as an essential commuter and Safe Route to
Schools pathway forming the backbone of
Ashland's trail system.
Expected Users
Expected users consist of bikers, pedestrians,
equestrians and maintenance and emergency
vehicles.
Typical Trail Section
The Central Bike Path is a multi -use trail
with a ten -foot paved width asphalt surface.
Details are defined in the City's TSP.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
The Central Bike Path corridor is historically
significant. It is the site where the golden
railway spike was driven on December 17,
1887. This spike was placed where the Central
Bike Path crosses Railroad Park and marked
0 THE CENTRAL BIKE PATH CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
the completion of the rail link between
California and Oregon and the last link in
the national rail system circling the United
States. This was a major event, attended by
a large group of dignitaries. For many years
it served as the main north -south line in the
far west and Ashland became a true "railroad
town." With a roundhouse, shops and a major
passenger depot and hotel, Ashland and its
43
railroad district was home to many railroad
employees and ancillary services. The
railroad dynamic changed in the late 1920s
when most freight traffic switched to the
shorter, easier route from Weed, California,
through Klamath Falls connecting to the
main line in Eugene. The "Shasta Daylight"
passenger train finally ended its run through
Ashland in the 1950s.
s'
At k'
`-r.•
�
•� -
__. �i+d
_,%
aye(/
,\(��,r+
41
_
TA
-
;r
f
... •.
.
pr
�
r
�
f `
THE CONTRASTING VIEWS OF URBAN SPACES BELOW AND
RELATIVELY UNDERDEVELOPED SLOPES ABOVE GIVE A
SENSE OF THE URBAN-WILDLAND INTERFACE
G
sr sr w i w o sig a vna«
ASHLAND CANAL
°a�aAae s "
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
z�r
3 u � ., ..� c •01 ��= iW
a^N, myw ea, a° 1 rk eeJ<
m '
..=.u,.. sm•�.N � .. u2ev sr &� _ a �"' �2 *y«, ��k �c ,T E." r a".r �^ �o
p
4 ° W
a c cemer yx`
EIWWc C�ez
o
a
'o' �
.««. M.. „ » ....
n,ns«n o cafe«on n\
a I
mean sr
mac. Ib enr\"� p o 8 erav iee sr j weu.0 1 z r "'Ca`n.enEE
�, E a ur.MONr aNg ,� n z wesare & « �c
nH
"
h sra
p o no
"es
ns«u"°e* nsau"osr au"ear 8 M s
Eao
z
cvaQ,�a
n:e—
> wvn e r a .,�.sr ° r
°aE 3 H rMesr
m °
va
"Mw,
� n«
vao
w�Noso
I{fn.. :� �; '�•• = vwsr t(CITY TID s 5 5 rnC
` � iOWNED OWNED s[�nv z g oau � s a
, --An aaouuwvo 0
��oE�
i
r
• - ,—' - •, on�eoa
't'a.,. s ���7 w sr s weoo coca« W enaa"° oa
«oven j
sr ..
$ mmy$
nna«ea m z
..........�.. "� u.n^q
Map Key IRA
' Ashland Canal Trail, proposed
Ashland Canal Trail, existing
n
m
Existing Trails w� #
City Limits
Public Access Easement �. a
Ashland Canal Trail Corridor • 'r
Public School Campus 3,
Parks `
SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Park)
a•
0.25 0.5 0.75 t Miles _
H� r
ASHLAND CANAL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Ashland Canal, commonly called
"the TID ditch," is a significant part of the
recommended trail system that visualizes
completing a trail ring around the city of
Ashland. The Talent Irrigation District (TID)
was formed in 1917, in the middle of World
War I, to provide a dependable supply of
irrigation water to the upper Bear Creek
Valley orchardists, farmers and ranchers.
Most of the water in the Ashland Canal
comes from the southern Cascades that lie
east of Emigrant Lake.
The Ashland Canal provides a unique
connection between many neighborhoods
as it passes through otherwise difficult
urban terrain. Local residents have used
the maintenance easement along the
north bank of the Ashland Canal as a
recreational walking and running area since
its construction in the 1920s. Many long-time
residents remember a time when you could
walk and run the ditch from one end of town
to the other. Current trail usage is significant
and includes pedestrians, runners, users
with strollers, dog walkers and occasional
mountain cyclists.
The Ashland Canal begins southeast of
Emigrant Lake at a diversion near the Green
Springs Power Plant on Emigrant Creek.
Traveling toward Ashland, the Ashland Canal
46
THE ASHLAND CANAL TRAIL RUNS THROUGH MANY
NEIGHBORHOODS IN ASHLAND AND SERVES AS A
POPULAR HIKE AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
ROUTE FOR MANY RESIDENTS.
enters the urban growth boundary and
crosses Tolman Creek Road until it reaches
the intersection of Pinecrest Terrace and
Starlite Place where the city of Ashland
takes ownership of the water and assumes
responsibility for maintenance of the canal
until its terminus at Wrights Creek.
A large part of the Ashland Canal corridor
from Tolman Creek to Wrights Creek is
ASHLAND CANAL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
on or closely borders private property.
Because the canal access/maintenance
road was not originally intended as a public
access corridor, the original property owner
easements were designated for canal
maintenance only. It is important to reiterate
that the maintenance easement does not
include a public access element. Public
access easements have been secured in
some areas and it is desirable to continue
the process of acquiring other easements to
complete the public access component.
The trail segment in Ashland generally
travels at or close to the wildland-urban
interface along the southern edge of Ashland
and roughly follows the 2,300-foot contour.
The Ashland Canal is generally flat to gently
sloping and has nearly six miles of linear
distance, most of which is in close proximity
to the southern border of the city limits.
Approximately 2.2 miles of the Ashland
Canal trail intermittently exist on public
property or on private property with public
access easements in place. Significant
segments of easement acquisition are
needed to complete a unified route from
Tolman Creek Road to the Wrights Creek
corridor (see Ashland Canal map insert).
A possible extension of the Ashland Canal
trail would continue southeast following the
canal's path all the way to Emigrant Lake;
47'
however, numerous jurisdictional obstacles
would need to be resolved before such an
extension could occur.
At a few points, the trail route may need
to leave the canal alignment and be routed
along city streets when an adequate trail
corridor does not exist or public access
easements are simply not obtainable. One
significant gap in the trail occurs where the
piped canal crosses Ashland Creek in Lithia
Park. The canal itself goes underground at
Terrace Street down into Lithia Park, then
daylights to the west of Granite Street
halfway between Ashland Creek Drive and
Lantern Hill Road. Thus, the trail through
this section does not exist and, in the future,
most likely will not. An alternate route should
be considered and could include directing
trail traffic from Terrace Street to Ashland
Loop Road and along Glenview Drive to
meet with the Ashland Canal trail on the
west side of Lithia Park.
The Ashland Canal trail corridor crosses
several roads and streets. Most of these are
residential streets and can be controlled
with signage and pavement marking. All
of these crossings represent potential
points of access. Some or all of these
crossings, depending on usage, may need
improvements, such as crosswalks, signage
and curb cut ramps.
• ASHLAND CANAL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Linkages
The Ashland Canal trail provides access
to the following parks and open spaces:
Oredson-Todd Woods, Siskiyou Mountain
Park, Liberty Street trail and open space,
trail to Waterline Road, Cottle -Phillips open
space to Ashland Loop Road (2060), Lithia
Park trail system, Burnson and Granite Street
properties. Providing a central location for
parking to serve the Ashland Canal Trail
and adjacent open spaces, a portion of
Hald-Strawberry open space may serve as a
trailhead.
48
Character
The route runs predominately across an
open, wooded hillside that provides both
forest views and commanding views of the
city as well as cross -valley panoramas.
Several prominent local landmarks are also
visible. The contrasting views of urban
spaces below and relatively undeveloped
slopes above give an imminent sense of the
urban-wildland interface. Wildlife sightings,
footprints, and scat provide further evidence
of the proximity of wild places.
While some sections of the Ashland Canal
Linkages from the Ashland Canal trail to
are bordered by established yards and
existing trails are too numerous to list here.
cleared areas, there are also extensive
Important street access points to the trail
wooded sections with imposing canopies.
are Tolman Creek Road, the Oredson-Todd
Most downslope water drainages are
trailhead on Lupine Drive, Park Street,
forested and thick with vegetation. This
Walker-Pinecrest Terrace, South Mountain -
canopy of riparian trees provides welcome
Elkader Streets, Liberty Street trail,
shade in hot weather. The more open
Morton Street, Weller -Taylor -Long Streets,
sections are often lined with blackberries.
Terrace -Ashland Loop Road, Granite Street,
Many areas of the corridor provide good
Strawberry Lane and Grandview Street,
animal habitat with deer, fox, bobcats,
with potential connectivity to Hitt Road and
mountain lions and bears reported.
the Wrights Creek corridor. The Hearts and
Granite Street trails currently provide access
to the westside Ashland Canal segment from
Lithia Park.
0 ASHLAND CANAL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Expected Users
Primary use in all sections will likely be
pedestrians. The wider sections may
be appropriate for other users, such as
mountain bikers, wheeled strollers and
possibly equestrians. These wider sections
also provide essential access for canal
maintenance vehicles.
Typical Trail Section
Due to many existing constraints, the trail
width and surface varies. The long-term
objective should allow for a trail that offers
as many multi -use features as reasonably
possible. Fencing, screening and buffer
plantings may be needed to separate the
trail from adjacent properties and future
development.
Along daylighted canal segments, the
existing access/maintenance road surface
is generally composed of compacted earth
and rock, except when crossing paved roads
or driveways. The width of the existing trail
varies from two to more than ten feet. Where
wide enough, the route is often used by
49
In some segments, the earthen surface
becomes too muddy when wet and often
provides only seasonal use.
At underground segments, the existing
surface is crushed rock, grass or other cover
and is generally wider. Some areas have been
at least partially incorporated into residential
yards. The underground segments may offer
opportunities to add crushed rock.
Natural & Cultural
Resources:
The Ashland Canal, a major "lateral canal,"
was excavated during the early 1920s as part
of TID's Hyatt Lake reservoir development.
Historically, the Ashland Canal represents
an important part of the development of
the area's fruit growing industry in the early
twentieth century. The Ashland Canal was
part of the original Rogue Valley Project
irrigation system design and was initially
constructed to irrigate nearby apple, pear
and peach orchards. At the turn of the
century, peaches and apples from Ashland
were known throughout the Pacific Coast
and were marketed in the eastern states
maintenance equipment and will likely need and Canada.
to remain unpaved because of the nature
of maintenance excavation requirements.
a
a
n
THIS CORRIDOR REPRESENTS A CRUCIAL LINK TO COMPLETE
A RING OF TRAILS AROUND THE CITY OF ASHLAND
Ls X �
WRIGHTS CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
•-��Q C•��.�.e�---- TRAILS MASTER PLAN
o
Susan Craet4 �,-
Roc r . Wrights ,E -
GF� Creek C"e
ti
=y, C ASHLAND
f- PONDS
Ms,.Gu,Fr4 `En �rR-, MICHELLE AV
ASHC,y C i FIELDS AND
WETLAND
•t
O+ 1
�isA'd/-i•'--•
oa r
t V, 4 tt Y+SSK S X PAFtK i
iAL
1
x a in
WN-
.41
,2 euw,sr eao " sr
srveAionx sr z Relm�
' Wrights 1
Creek i
� I �REE.�R,� P� . fir r� •"yy� � teal � or�� sr
1
Blke., w
�� Ler sr SCENIC +- _4
PARK N � Pe tll'
rn"e� uo,nrn n+Ew oe
oai c
T. MAPLE 9T, 23
12
P O • z i'.
j G you. .isrn _r Haase-r s� t�+
M1
j ��usq sr WIMER S7 9 '
1 t 3
i s
a W ''•�., ASHCAN
y CREEK
�Z- 1 .i"Eserune'� sesnn ��� �P PARK.
9 v
I 2 y
g
t � j
PA SKA
.PARK
A
y i
BRISCOE v
GEOLOGY
PARK
O%- 3
i
III IN BLUEBIRD y
t HALD i} s PARK J Oe B
STRAW- P ace ALLE
• ST
BERRY • C.
o ;' '•r•`.• • PARK NSS GUANAJUAD
W.
'I/jz
WESTWOOD
,: i
h
' _ .• h'tc
Map Key
PROPERTY •:
' Trails, proposed
NurLEY
„• Trails, existing
City Limits
5,
3
.keo4
y ��A 7
Public Access Easement
�`-
0
-
'u
,-4
Wrights Creek Comdor
:t
Public School Campus
Parks
ACID
• " '
SOU Campus
CASTLE
Ashland
_
(--• "LITHIA
City Owned (non -Park)
ROCKS
Canal
• PARK
�•
`
..
GRANITE ST
.PROPERTY
,; •
.•-".`"i - iC f'-'• i` • ,''M •.
i
FNo
N
WE
•
4T1i
_ F. u v
S 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
0.4 0.5 Miles
BURNSON .
LAWRENCE
PROPERTY:
PROPERTY
WRIGHTS CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Wrights Creek Trail Corridor is an
approximately two-mile route along the
northwestern edge of the city of Ashland
that loosely follows Wrights Creek. Due
to steep slopes along the eastern side of
the drainage and existing development,
any proposed trail may need to be placed
primarily on the creek's west side. Aside from
existing Forest Service roads, Bird Song Lane
and a few areas where the trail may follow
paved city streets or widened sidewalks for
a few blocks, little of the Wrights Creek Trail
currently exists.
This corridor represents a crucial link to
complete a ring of trails around the city of
Ashland and is, therefore, an integral part of
the TMP. At the northern end, the proposed
route would begin at the confluence of
Wrights Creek and Bear Creek following the
creek through the historic Billings property.
It would cross under the railroad tracks at
Jackson Road, cross North Main Street and
the proposed Central Bike Path extension
where it would connect with Fox Street as
the jumping off point to the southern end
of the corridor. The route would then follow
Wrights Creek south, eventually connecting
to Westwood and Hald-Strawberry parks.
52
SWALLOWTAIL ON BUDDLEIA.
Linkages
Jackson Road should be considered as part
of the Wrights Creek Trail system as it offers
an existing, albeit oblique, linkage to the
northbound Bear Creek Greenway using
a short section of Highway 99 for transit.
The proposed section of trail that follows
Wrights Creek through the Billings property
to its confluence with Bear Creek and a
connection to the southbound Bear Creek
WRIGHTS CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Greenway will need a bridge across Bear
Creek. Development of the Ashland Pond
open space area with proposed fish habitat
restoration and riparian zone improvements
along the Ashland Creek confluence with
Bear Creek could include a bridge across
Bear Creek. Completion of either of these
bridges would complete the linkage around
the entire city of Ashland. On the south
side of North Main Street, the proposed
route would link to several city open space
sites: Westwood and Hald-Strawberry.
A trailhead that includes parking and a
restroom should be considered for this vital
hub area. The future Westwood open space
site is an ideal location for such a full -service
trailhead. As the trail continues south, it
would connect to Hitt Road and Bird Song
Lane and to the Westside Forestlands trails
and beyond, where hikers and mountain
bikers currently use these roads to connect
to the uplands. It has been observed that
corridor neighbors use existing paths
to currently access components of the
Wrights Creek trail system. When eventual
planning and land -use actions take place
as part of the development of this system,
neighborhood meetings should be held to
uncover additional useful connections and
easements.
53
Another long-term goal would be to connect
westerly to Talent over Ashland Mine Road,
Forest Service trails and/or along the path
of the Talent Irrigation District (TID) canals:
West Canal and Talent Canal.
Character
The trail corridor is largely outside the
Ashland city limits on unincorporated
Jackson County land that traverses through
a mostly undeveloped wooded creek area.
The corridor contains wildlife habitat and
would likely be sensitive to certain types
of trail development. The corridor has a
more natural character at the northern and
southern ends, while the central portion has
some existing development, a major arterial,
railroad tracks and a small web of residential
streets.
Expected Users
It is expected that eventual trail users would
initially be pedestrians, runners and perhaps
mountain bikers. Mountain biking is more
appropriate at the southern end, especially
downhill mountain biking on some of the
existing Forest Service roads if riders can
be kept to these areas and safely share the
trail with other users. The requirements
of maintenance vehicles will need to be
considered.
54
The trail initially would be three feet in
width with a crushed rock surface. A higher
standard trail may be warranted in the future.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
The long -closed Ashland Mine, a producer
of gold during the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, is situated in the upper reaches
of the Wrights Creek drainage. Much of the
area was burned in the 1959 Ashland Fire,
which was ignited by youngsters playing
with matches near Jackson Hot Springs.
This epic wildfire spread upslope and to the
southeast, reaching into the lower portions
of the Ashland Creek Watershed.
W
w ~ W
= to U
F- Q a
F-Q W
Q N
F— J O
w a U
a w p
D = Z
Q N Q
w = W
LL U
J 3 Z
Q Q
U p Z
W
fY >
Q O O
LL U
O U) Li
w Ln
U _ �
} LL Q
Lu p O
`1 Z u
V) Q —
J Q
2 =
U_
p Q >
Z LL U
Z) O LL
O O
Q Z
p X
E w
Z
O
U
_.,<:gear Creek
Wrights ASHLAND
`.Crek /'`. ASHLAND CREEK
---� TRAIL CORRIDORL
MICHELLE AV �� 7
' FIELDSAND DOG ♦♦ TRAILS MASTER PLAN
k /
WE
PARK
IT 3� BMX PARK 1-
+ —TI < Pal 3
y � <
p
wND,AnA sr L.eNw,.o.e,. '
sr�aiow sr `..♦ cnuaacce sr `; KEENER A
o
' PROPERTY i L
ea ur sr n z 1 KESTREL
aarc sT Htlman 1 PROPBRTY,
w Er sr PARK a rA,-,nrzn n.v. �. L ` •� yW
n ♦
Nntte IT MAPLE ST ��♦ .2 i i 1 ``♦♦ ♦ •�`
entraPo�`�
8Bke RgNOeq ran °� _ _♦``,`
Y
~ SO z Pth ASHLAND
����♦��i`�♦♦ ♦ ...
�,♦1 PARK Y ♦♦ ems.,.
was nsrA WIMER ST v�,ascavm li ♦ s RIVERWALK -
IN
f_
F Ashland qv Es, c fP T Z
Can
5 �mTEw oa �P <
NORTH
'• a ,
SKATEgRD _ M PARKIN
y PA
FL
•\oy u,,canrc� E HERSEY ST
n ,• QP R` ' BRISCOE
aso GEOLOGY
♦, ,• T PARK cnecw. ox i
HALD,; a BLUEBIRD
STRAW- i PAST RK �,``_ �o
-s. -----------
o .•r'• ,PARK 5t CA L{E 1 RDhO•
GUAN( 4UATO
°••r,• - xT 1-/._ /4 B ST
� n by _
ESTWOOD
PROPERTY a • .•' _ �,
LITHIA
NUTLEY ST PARK
@Fi ' h JQQ hr sq nv "L �21 E MAINSi d e
h
ACID
CASTLE
ROCKS
LAWRENCE
PROPERTY
Map Key
GRANITE ST _
PROPERTY_:
BURNSON
PROPERTY
' Trails, proposed
A
'
Ye
Trails, existing
City Limits
LITHIA,
Public Access Easement
's PARK '.
Ashland Creek Corridor
Public School Campus
' •'.
Parks
SOU Campus
N
11s
City OWned (non -Park)
' ;
Ashland '
Creek:
0 0.1 0.2
0.3 0.4
0.5 Miles.. -
. o
ASM1laM HS�
o ' IOWA ST
TRIANGLE
�
PARK
'
Nouvsr
rIT
7
LITHIA
(-
PARK
G y
is
z
n+<NunT 11H m
He n
i
z
4
u
0F
a
axnLHi C
2
-. FRlcrpgiays.
sr O
�
<
Z
'-�•, �
COTTL4AR.LIPS
ASHLAND ST
=AsreAxo sr _
O
PROPERTY $
i
GLENWOOD y
> PARK.
'LIBERTY
- _-
ST PARK
7.
z
��•;:;•
ASHLAND CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Ashland Creek trail corridor is visualized
as the natural extension of the existing trails
within Lithia Park as they follow Ashland
Creek to its confluence with Bear Creek, a
pedestrian route nearly three miles long.
Broadly, the corridor extends south from the
Bear Creek Greenway at the confluence of
Ashland Creek and Bear Creek, to downtown,
then farther south to the upper reaches of
Lithia Park. Approximately one-half of the
trail currently exists. The corridor was part of
the original Regional Greenway Plan of 1966,
which was approved by voters in 1974 and
reaffirmed in Ashland's 1974 Comprehensive
Plan. There are several existing city parks and
other city properties as well as easements
within the corridor that could be folded
into a corridor trail alignment. The new
section of multi -use trail that connects the
Bear Creek Greenway to Nevada Street
through Verde Village is a vital addition.
The only current viable route from Nevada
Street south to Ashland Creek Park is the
on -street trail of Oak Street. An alternative
route would travel up Heiman Street to
avoid the bumps and traffic of Oak Street.
From Ashland Creek Park the best multi -use
route is up the less vehicle -impacted Water
Street to the pedestrian crossing at North
Main Street, through the Plaza and into
Lithia Park. In this section, existing alternate
57
FALL LEAVES ON MOSSY BOULDERS IN ASHLAND
CREEK CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SETTING.
pedestrian paths parallel the creek: 1) the
improved natural area trail next to Ashland
Christian Fellowship Church that delivers
users to the problematic intersection of
Oak -Railroad District -A St. -Van Ness; 2)
the pedestrian walkway off Water Street
adjacent to the Plaza Hotel and ending at
Bluebird Park. From the entrance to Lithia
Park to the corridor's southern terminus in
the Ashland Watershed there are numerous
trails: on -street for cyclists, multi -use and
ASHLAND CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
natural area trails, both improved and native.
Safe crossings would need to be provided
at Nevada Street and Hersey Street. The
railroad tracks could be crossed at the Water
Street underpass.
Linkages
Connectivity could be greatly improved in
the Ashland Creek corridor by completing
the trail connection between Ashland Creek
Park and APRC-owned land at Nevada
Street. Several trail easements have been
secured along this corridor over the last
ten years, with only a few more critical
pieces needed to complete the connection
between the Bear Creek Greenway and the
central area corridor that includes Ashland's
civic and business center, City Hall and
the Chamber of Commerce. This central
business area is also popular with tourists
and is adjacent to the Oregon Shakespeare
Festival grounds and other tourist attractions
and services. The central section of the
Ashland Creek corridor also offers new
linkage possibilities to the Central Bike Path
and the newly acquired APRC property
alongside Bear Creek below Clinton Street.
The Ashland Creek corridor connects to
the Ashland Watershed open space and
several APRC open spaces contiguous to or
connected via trail access to the southern
end of Lithia Park.
100 YEAR OLD RHODODENDRONS BLOOM ALONG
ASHLAND CREEK IN LITHIA PARK.
The Ashland Creek corridor passes through
or near several city parks, including Ashland
Pond (near the Bear Creek Greenway), the
Dog Park, Ashland Creek Park, the Skate
Park, Bluebird Park and Lithia Park. Briscoe
School and playground are within close
proximity to the corridor. Heiman School and
playground are located on the west edge of
the corridor. The trail could provide a safe
route for students to walk or cycle to these
schools and playgrounds. The trail would also
ASHLAND CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
provide easy access to the Plaza and Calle
Guanajuato. North -south bike routes within
the corridor follow Oak and Heiman Streets,
and east -west bike routes are Nevada Street,
Glenn/Orange Street, Hersey Street and
Lithia Way.
The Creek to Crest Trail is also located
within this corridor. Until this corridor is
fully developed, users may reroute to the
Creek to Crest Trail. A trail access point
should be considered at Ashland Creek Park
with parking nearby, on public property or
through a public/private partnership.
Character
The route is characterized by open riparian
woodlands and residential neighborhoods
at the north, urban development in the
central area and groomed parkland and
natural areas as well as public woodlands
to the south. The corridor contains many
opportunities for appreciation of Ashland
Creek, which is the backbone of Lithia Park
and one of the main tributaries to upper
Bear Creek.
Expected Users
Expected user groups are pedestrians,
runners, families with strollers and
maintenance and emergency vehicles. Due
to the primarily riparian character of the trail
59
location and related environmental concerns,
pedestrian use is the most appropriate.
Alternate cycling routes are established to
allow cyclists to travel the corridor and reach
city facilities.
Typical Trail Section
The typical trail section is eighteen to forty-
eight inches in width and surfaced in crushed
rock. The width, surfacing and other trail
standards may vary based on site -specific
ASHLANDER PETE BAUGHMAN RUNNING THE TRAILS.
ASHLAND CREEK TRAIL CORRIDOR 60
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
opportunities and constraints, including
available land, appropriate use and wetland
and wildlife concerns.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
Early settlers referred to Ashland Creek as
Rock Creek and then Mill Creek. The creek
originates on the summit of Mt. Ashland
and is still the main source of municipal
drinking water.
The fast -flowing stream provided power for
Ashland's earliest lumber and flour mills and
it is around this key geographical feature that
the community of Ashland first formed with
the Plaza as the nexus of civic discourse,
governance and commerce.
ROCA/PARADISE CREEK
CORRIDOR TRAIL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
RIVERWALK =.:.ROCAIPARADISE CREEK
sa
CORRIDOR TRAIL
2 Bear
NORTH ••
00 MOUNTAIN±. Creek TRAILS MASTER PLAN
PARK
re en va.y eV
E HERSEY.ST G,+' Cl C F
wll,u,Drvwv c; Gc
S r "RA
ST PARK 4,.ueancnEEx oq W w acLc • Creek
" ` sonmo ow
00
;�,,,,♦ Bear
e sr •entral i o r
a
n
EVERGREEN
Patti
o `
W
s
" ++. EMAIN ST
o Roca Creek/ o
GARFIELD '`
PARK ` ;paradise Creek r
� -
` R '
,
o w < ♦ AZM1land i ♦M1^
�mmdle
d n \ F
swr�s sr`o e z < v
j o j
--
x to IT
----------------------
Creek/
p
w
Cemetery Creek)
TRIANGLE Aa„IandHS � � ♦`-:•, - I Clay Creelk
IOWA ST PARK
2 J I
a
I t
> r
< r
s
.-LIST
e
y I
i
x n�n.v < Ec sr walker: HUNTER
PARKi n
TAuo F m rr � sr rv6NE ♦ � � _
i m c
c° Z wessrs sr `+ I ,n. O
esawrsr '^ _
O > s
Z S
ASHLAND ST ¢ 1.- S .ypmee[rt-• ♦♦.
Z .esn.anD ai ___________r_-___T_.
GLEN WOOD O : x
/yOG6 ASHLAND ST I Y'-�♦-
•� -
PARKCLAY STT,
vaassT sr w -�
f.__-__.____M1 SHERWOOD
• +� , PARK •.'',..
sT CLAY r
C ST PARK
9k - 1 Fac..PscT s`o GARDEN
WAY PARK
Euas �T E
"^vosox sr - `•.�, AwE si
LIBERTY♦t 3 vielocR sr uuc es ¢
ST PARK
, twooarvD rm 3 u � �`+•~♦` 3
ti
W�E m#Ds.t DP{p r+lrs Lry 3 K
5 F 1EA..—D
L R o r �
rnc> o
a
Map Key °
Trails, proposed
Trails, existing I—sT D
=gP
i • City Limits o °
Public Access Easement "ES—DIz
�sr„E
Roca -Paradise Corridor roy
Public School Campus
Parks
',.. SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Park) Ze\1
parad',se
SISKIYOU
MTN PARK
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 04 0.5 Miles
z
S,
ROCAIPARADISE CREEK CORRIDOR TRAIL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
Roca Creek Trail is a corridor approximately
two miles in length that runs from the Bear
Creek Greenway to the Ashland Canal.
Currently, none of the trail formally exists
and most of any future trail will likely be
located within existing public lands.
The corridor would begin at the proposed
Bear Creek Greenway route on the south side
of Bear Creek and travel south through the
existing trail network of North Mountain Park
and emerge from the upper playground into
the residential neighborhood of the Mill Pond
subdivision. Crossing East Main Street at
the pedestrian -signaled crosswalk adjacent
to ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum, the
central portion of the route would follow the
on -street trail of Campus Way, traverse The
Farm at SOU and cross the railroad tracks at
the cross -arms on Walker Avenue, emerging
onto the main SOU campus off Iowa Street.
The route through the SOU campus would
roughly follow Roca Creek, which flows in
underground storm drains through most of
the SOU campus before daylighting in the
Roca Creek canyon area and then connecting
to the Ashland Canal near the top of Elkader
and Roca streets. Due to development,
lack of easements and steep terrain, some
alternate routing via existing streets and
sidewalks could be necessary.
63
PRAIRIE FIRE CRABAPPLE.
SOU has expressed an interest in promoting
the trail and is expected to partner in future
development. Route signage could be
installed across the campus, demonstrating
the underground nature of the creek.
Opportunities to daylight the creek along
these campus routes would offer intermittent
waterways, greenways and natural areas.
Wetland and wildlife ecology should be
considered when designing the trail alignment
along the open sections of Roca Creek.
ROCAIPARADISE CREEK CORRIDOR TRAIL
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Linkages
The trail will cross and connect with several
important commuter and recreation routes,
including bike lanes on East Main Street,
Ashland Street and Siskiyou Boulevard. After
crossing the railroad, the Roca Creek Trail
would deliver users to the vital intersection
with the Central Bike Path, offering a key link
to all of west Ashland as well as points east,
including the future Normal Neighborhood.
The Roca Creek Trail corridor is an important
commuter and bike -to -school opportunity
that would improve general access to Willow
Wind School, Ashland Middle School, John
Muir School, Walker Elementary School,
SOU, the SOU student housing complexes
and the business cluster adjacent to the SOU
campus. A single well -planned trail should
be designed and appropriately marked as
it navigates these important campuses to
avoid conflicts with other site activities.
The Ashland School District has expressed
an interest in a trail connection to North
Mountain Park from the various schools
mentioned above. North Mountain Park
offers sports fields and the Nature Center
provides a broad venue for school activities.
In addition, possible connections through
Willow Wind should continue to be part of
any future trail development efforts.
At the south end of the corridor,
64
opportunities to connect this route via the
Ashland Canal Trail or other easements to
the Eastside Forestland trails should be
an important priority.
Character
The character of the route is open, riparian
woodlands and fields at the north end.
The central section is developed, yet with
intermittent landscaped and manicured park-
like spaces as it traverses several campuses.
Approaching the south end, the trail
traverses hilly woodlands with a north -aspect
and the corridor becomes steeper south of
SOU as it approaches the Ashland Canal.
This area is part of the the wildland-urban
interface and offers views across the valley.
Expected Users
Expected users are cyclists, pedestrians,
runners, families with strollers and
maintenance vehicles. Pedestrians would
likely be the main users at the southern end.
Typical Section
Typical trail sections will vary from eighteen
to forty-eight inches for native natural trails,
depending on terrain and location. Ideally,
campus sections, would be designed as
a paved multi -use system or a native
improved trail.
-
• r
}
.l 1 � ` ti • y �'+
' I 1
yJq�
.w
8
_.![ , � : . ., "A. �� ." +• ,yam t ".k�
-t
,s d� :�"� i'r*"� ..'� "' ♦ i'� d'tT ''� � � �� ;may "�' y � +!fit ,} .ti � � w. � .w+ .; �+tnJ t '.*':.a`'.4'
. ,
a r
" / � 1. �. .. d� �... � � .. 4 ✓ . � _ ja 7 ..e- * � .. t. �ALr�� •_Mi+��� IF
THIS CORRIDOR OFFERS SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAILS TO BE SECURED AS
A CONDITION OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
I•, Bear
°
CEMETARY-CLAY-HAM ILTG N
MPt Green11
"MCLC Creek
CREEK CORRIDORS
Bear
-_
........TRAILS
MASTER. PLAN
_____________
ASM1IatM
�
r^
�MltlCle
N
, ee k
t
s
E MAIN ST
r '
bin Muir
SeMol
c 4oC�,e
I
._ _ ____________________
r • �'
m
N
wWAaT w ♦
assoirgv
[PEEe CP
♦. , 5f
y
_ _
Roca Creek/
Paradise Creek :` "'--- --
CLAvST __________
^
HUNTER
PARK
WETLANDS
ti
F
Walker
u)
HOMES AV
------------
ASHLAND ST
"
J
SHERWOOD
PARK
sa, w
< mEnuur sr
CLAY `♦
•,',♦
g
ST PARK `
u,c«E.
Asw �v
Rcron sr
g
o�
€
Cemetery W
GARDEN ,\•
Creek w
♦,�j�
i
WAY PARK ��
'� '`1,
> -
V
w�nosuP sr
<
\'•e\
w ;�a♦P
LIL-�P w �
RD�ADP
w :
O
I" ♦ ``. D�>Ckg„ O,PHE IT
«o uiLLw.
,
V)
\ bb I-PASi
a
",Central
PEACRE Ro
~` wF
Bike
EDPEa.
�
Path
s—A
IT
m$
♦,,�.♦♦Bellview
aWWS
a
.pEE sr
�CHITWOOD
.sr
uwuwR IT
PROPERTY
♦,,
Ca5
CRESMEW OR CRE31.
•. W 4
e° Ashland
wP
a
Canal
sa„
a DM W y
Clay
3
Creek
So��
p p4Lo
c
,
,
,
� �
2
o
w Map Key
' Trails, proposed
Z
`, ��,••'v', -'`,
;;1
•.�� ,
N
g w� Trails, existing
° E
`,%i ; r__ •,
City Limits
•^,' ti 1 '-�••y
,- .-•
• %
t..
's �`,1�, ;
i
s Public Access Easement ',..
Clay, Cemetery, Hamilton Creek Conidor
�•
Si
STN PA U OREDSOfS ; 'f '
MTN PARK n�D ;
Public School Campus
Hamilton
f
'y'
Parks
Creek
I SOU Campus
•
, •
RT,,%_ PD
Tolman
City Owned (non -Park)
Creek
0 0.1 o.z 0.3 04 0.E Miles
CEMETERY-CLAY-HAMILTON CREEK CORRIDORS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
Cemetery Creek, Clay Creek and Hamilton
Creek are parallel streams less than one-
half -mile apart. A single trail system would
provide one multi -use trail to serve as a
main corridor that could switch back and
forth between the three subsidiary corridors.
Additional linking to neighborhood routes
would be needed to bring users to the main
route. While a continuing goal is to provide a
trail experience separated from automobiles,
many sections of the main route may need
to use bike lanes and intermittent widened
sidewalks due to corridors development
without public rights -of -way along creeks.
This main corridor would extend from the
Bear Creek Greenway at the north end to the
Ashland Canal, Oredson-Todd Woods and
Siskiyou Mountain Park at the south end. The
distance is approximately two miles but this
could increase as the trail weaves through
the constraints of the existing urban routing.
Traveling south from the proposed Bear
Creek Greenway, the trail route could follow
Cemetery Creek, assuming an easement
could be obtained, across the large property
in the lower flood plain. The entire area
along Cemetery Creek to East Main Street is
located in unincorporated Jackson County.
Crossing East Main Street, the trail would
insert directly into the planned Normal
Neighborhood. Of note, all of the property
WATERFALL AT UPSTREAM END OF OREDSON-TODD
WOODS TRAILS.
67
from East Main Street to the railroad tracks
is within Ashland's urban growth boundary
but not yet within city limits. This corridor
offers significant opportunities for trail
easements and rights -of -way to be secured
as a condition of future development. An
additional benefit to routing through the
Normal Neighborhood is the existing railroad
crossing on Normal Street. Traveling south,
this route would follow the Central Bike
Path adjacent to the Ashland Cemetery,
cross under the Ashland Street overpass
CEMETERY-CLAY-HAMILTON CREEK CORRIDORS 68
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
and proceed to Tolman Creek Road and the be the trailhead at Lupine Drive. This access
railroad crossing. Much of Tolman Creek
Road has been widened to include bike lanes
along its central portion from the railroad
crossing to Siskiyou Boulevard. Trail users
would traverse Tolman Creek Road as an
on -street trail to continue south to Siskiyou
Boulevard. Alternatively, after crossing the
railroad tracks, a secondary route could
follow Takelma Way to Jaquelyn Street and
up Clay Street to Siskiyou Boulevard.
There is a signaled crossing at the
intersection of Siskiyou Boulevard and
Tolman Creek Road near Bellview Elementary
School. The trail would then continue
south, following existing on -street routes
along Black Oak Way, Bellview Avenue and
Greenmeadows Way to Lupine Drive, then to
the existing Oredson-Todd Woods / Ashland
Canal trailhead that serves as an integral hub
connecting the Eastside Forestland trails.
A trailhead exists at Lupine Drive that
includes a dog waste station, trash
receptacles, informational signage and
parking. West of this corridor is the Park
Street entry into Siskiyou Mountain Park. This
route has been designated as part of the
Creek to Crest Trail, which, heading south,
connects Ashland to the Pacific Crest Trail.
Since upper Park Street is very steep with
limited parking, an alternate access point to
gain entry to the Creek to Crest Trail would
point should be considered in the future to
relieve the congestion, parking and safety
issues that currently make the Park Street
trailhead problematic. Appropriately placed
signage could effectively direct users to the
higher capacity trailhead at Lupine Drive.
Linkages
Along the Cemetery -Clay -Hamilton corridor,
there are several important existing and
potential connections. The trail system
crosses three main arterials: East Main Street,
Ashland Street and Siskiyou Boulevard,
offering a vital connection to their respective
bike lanes. These linkages would provide the
opportunity for cycling connections to many
important city features.
One of the significant future neighborhood -
linking routes is the planned trail through
the Croman Mill site that is already part of
the subdivision design and development.
In addition, the confluence of any of the
Croman Mill site trails with the existing and
future extension of the Central Bike Path
is an obvious essential linkage. A planned
additional trail segment starts behind
Bellview School and follows the Mistletoe
Road right-of-way to the future extension
of the Central Bike Path. This would offer an
off-street alternative to school commuters.
CEMETERY-CLAY-HAMILTON CREEK CORRIDORS 69
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Character
Portions of the northern end of the corridor
are still undeveloped and remain in a
relatively natural state. The central portion
of the corridor has become urbanized and
opportunities for a stand alone trail are
already limited.
Expected Users
Expected users throughout the corridor
include cyclists, pedestrians, runners,
mountain bikers and families with strollers. In
the northern portion, users will likely be local
residents accessing the Bear Creek Greenway
and the Central Bike Path. The middle
section would offer general commuting
and a safe route for children to Bellview
Elementary School, Walker School, Ashland
Middle School and the private Siskiyou
School on Clay Street. In the southern
portion, users are likely to be residents,
hikers and mountain bikers accessing the
Ashland Canal and the Eastside Forestland
Trails.
Typical Section
The Cemetery -Clay -Hamilton corridor uses
existing paved streets and sidewalks. It is an
on -street trail system with future extensions
to be determined. New extensions or "spoke"
connections would ideally be built to multi-
HIKER ENJOYING THE OREDSON-TODD WOODS WITH DOGS.
use trail standards.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
Oredson-Todd Woods is owned by the
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and
managed by APRC. This parkland occupies
over ten acres and is designed to provide
"recreation, education, research, open space,
a public park, a wildlife refuge or such similar
CEMETERY-CLAY-HAMILTON CREEK CORRIDORS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
natural use purposes." The primary feature of
the Oredson-Todd Woods is Clay Creek with
its associated riparian landscapes running
the length of the preserve.
Hamilton Creek was named for early
Ashland -area settler R. J. Hamilton, a
Tennessean who farmed along the lower
stretches of this stream. The upper portions
of Hamilton Creek flow through steep granite
terrain. The falls on upper Clay Creek are
formed by a hard granite ledge and below
the falls, for some distance above the end of
70'
Clay Street, the stream -bed exposes shale
and sandstone of the Hornbrook Formation.
The sandstone contains small marine
fossil shells from the time when most of
southwestern Oregon lay beneath a shallow
sea. Some of the Hornbrook deposits have
weathered into a reddish (and sometimes
sticky) clay. In the early 20th century, a small
brick factory located near Hillview Drive
mined this clay for brick making.
�u• _ SFr �"T
ti
•��lM`!"�
�
� '
.
,..gy�p
t
•
TRAILS IN THIS AREA OFFER VIEWS OF MOUNT
ASHLAND, GRIZZLY PEAK, MOUNT MCLOUGHLIN, THE
CITY OF ASHLAND AND THE CENTRAL ROGUE VALLEY
-------------
Bear- Creek
-------------------
a.,oar cR �/G
corny`?
=YSr----__-_--
WETLANDS
-------------
N
w 1
TOLMAN CREEK CORRIDOR
TRAILSIH+CSTER PLAN `C eel(
(� Cgs
emigrant
=q 0 Fo a
a
O
w
Z
_2
O
� au
,
ClayCl/,.,
�metery Creek " W _�
Cd,
OAK KNOLL �- y
U GOLF COURSE
o entral
�-
fi a .a PatF c
0
CHITMOD i I ,
PROPERTY ► ��
C ,Y `re
y w
7 r L _
Ct
y 0 n
7 }�� y�� oN HaJlton �---- i es+y \ o
i
t Cree
40
i
r
t '
1�
I_
i %
,
,J
Map Key
Trails, proposed
Trails, existing
/
j Tolman- f City Limits
Creek r` _v.. Ashland #Public Access Easement
Canal'•'.
Tolman Creek Corridor
- Public School Campus
Parks
''...... SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Park) '..
N
5
0 0.1 U 0.3 0.4 oS Miles
TOLMAN CREEK CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The notion of a Tolman Creek Corridor can
be confusing because only in the uplands at
the south end of the corridor does Tolman
Creek follow Tolman Creek Road before
the creek veers sharply to the northeast
where it crosses under Siskiyou Boulevard
to the east of Crowson Road. From there
it crosses under both the railroad tracks
and Interstate 5 and follows Crowson Road
through extensive private properties and the
re -crossing under Crowson Road adjacent to
the Oak Knoll Golf Course. Emerging from
a corner of the golf course, Tolman Creek
crosses under Highway 66 and then crosses
private property to its confluence with Neil
Creek. The Tolman Creek corridor would
be the easternmost trail in a future loop
surrounding the city.
Little of an actual trail exists in this corridor
and the proposed route currently consists
of making the best use of existing streets,
crossings, underpasses and sidewalks. This
proposed route is approximately two miles
long and roughly parallels Tolman Creek. The
corridor, as previously outlined, begins at the
confluence of Tolman Creek with Neil Creek,
would follow Crowson Road to Siskiyou
Boulevard, then follow the creek all the
way up to its end at the junction with the
Ashland Canal.
73
Existing barriers to any future standalone
trail are Highway 66, Interstate 5, the railroad
tracks and Siskiyou Boulevard. The long-
term plan for the southwestern portion of
the corridor above Siskiyou Boulevard is to
follow the creek more closely and provide a
less urbanized experience. This would require
an extensive and forward -looking acquisition
of trail easements through a considerable
expanse of private property. Most of the
route is outside the urban growth boundary
in unincorporated Jackson County. Because
of the trail's relationship to and dependence
upon roadways in the corridor, the route
should be coordinated with the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Commission with suggested
improvements such as widened shoulders,
bike lanes and crosswalks.
Linkages
This route offers connections to the Oak
Knoll Neighborhood and the Oak Knoll Golf
Course. It also connects to the proposed
extension of the Central Bike Path as it
passes through the Croman Mill site. This
corridor currently crosses many private
properties that do not provide public access.
TOLMAN CREEK CORRIDOR
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Character
Other than paved roads with marked
bike lanes, the area is sparsely developed
with small farms and pastureland and a
few wooded areas. Narrow shoulders and
higher speed traffic can make this route
problematic for pedestrians and bicyclists
Expected Users
Expected users include cyclists, pedestrians,
runners and equestrians.
Typical Section
Existing trail sections are mainly on -street
trails with future sections consisting of a mix
of multi -use and nature trails.
74
Natural and Cultural
Resources
Tolman Creek flows directly off the northern
flank of Mount Ashland and, along with
Neil Creek and Emigrant Creek, eventually
forms Bear Creek. This creek was named
for Oregon Surveyor General and Jackson
County judge, James C. Tolman, who settled
a large farm near the mouth of the creek
in the early 1850s. Tolman's grave in the
Ashland Cemetery is marked by a prominent
obelisk carved from the same Hornbrook
Formation sandstone that underlies much of
lower Tolman Creek.
z ,
r r xfill
r
s
3NNW
TRAILS IN THIS AREA OFFER VIEWS OF MOUNTAIN
ASHLAND, GRIZZLY PEAK, MOUNT MCLOUGHLIN, THE
CITY OF ASHLAND AND THE CENTRAL ROGUE VALLEY
WESTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS RASTER PLAN
Map Key
Proposed
Existing Trails
Creek to Crest
City Limits
Public Access Easement
Public School Campus
Parks
City OWned (non -Park)
US Forest Service
N
w�E p 0.1 n2 0.3 D4 U.S Miles
N LDS{RAYpRf,RRY ,
WESTWOOD
PROPERTY
sTan scam Gi ..
r,sii!'and
�• o
S�
ACID i
CASTLE
ROCKS
%r'DF
Pnve.e LoM 31 a•
t.
v � GNJ�G
o '
{ i
NUTLEY ST Ci
y "TK
LAWRENCE BURNSONg55 N��URE
PROPERTY PROPERTY,. 'y.' a
t•
PARK
f:Fcr�
.,e
tr
p�
\
F?..
N WESTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
This is an area to the south and west of
the Ashland Canal Trail on the west side
of Ashland Creek that extends up to an
imaginary line roughly connecting Ostrich
Peak, Panther Peak and Wagner Butte. The
existing official trails in this area include:
• Ashland Canal Trail
• Parts of Hitt Road
• Bird Song Trail
• Fell on Knee Trail
• Hearts Nature Trail
• Granite Street Trail
The Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association
(AWTA) has plans for an additional trail in
the area called Wonder, which may start
near the defunct granite quarry at the top
of Granite Street and continue on City
forestland roughly parallel to Forest Service
Road 2060 into Forest Service lands,
ultimately connecting to the Fell on Knee
Trail.
Linkages
Hitt Road connects to the Hald-Strawberry
area. Hitt Road continues through private
land and becomes Forest Service Road 300,
which connects to the multi -use Fell on Knee
Trail as well as Forest Service Road 2060
with connections to other Westside Forest
77
VIEW OF MT. ASHLAND FROM FELL ON KNEE TRAIL.
Service trails. These include: No Candies,
Ricketty, Horn Gap Road and Horn Gap Trail,
Potlicker and Wagner Glade Trail, which
connects to Wagner Lookout Trail and the
Split Rock Trail.
When the Wonder Trail is completed, a loop
encompassing Hitt Road, Fell on Knee and
Wonder will encourage more biking, hiking,
running and equestrian use on the Westside
Forestland which will help distribute user
impact and enhance user experience. Various
WESTSIDE FDRESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
loop permutations exist that connect other
Forest Service trails with Ricketty, Horn Gap
Road and Horn Gap Trail, No Candies and
Forest Service Road 400. These options
will make the West Side Forestland trails
more accessible and appealing. Such trail
variations have gained increasing importance
as they serve the AWTA and Forest Service
goal to distribute trail users throughout the
trail system.
Hearts Nature Trail and Granite Street Trail
connect Granite Street to the Ashland Canal
Trail. These trails provide easy linkages from
Lithia Park to the Ashland Canal Trail; and
both are designated as pedestrian use only.
Parking areas serving the Westside
Forestland trails are located in and above
Lithia Park, thus allowing hikers, cyclists,
equestrians and runners to begin their
outings from several locations. Many hikers,
cyclists and runners start their routes in the
downtown Plaza or in Lithia Park. They either
use Winburn Way or upland park trails to
access Westside Forestland trails via Forest
Service Road 2060. Some start by hiking
or biking up Strawberry Lane to Hitt Road.
Additionally, a small amount of private
parking exists at the top of the residential
area on Hitt Road.
78
Character
Hitt Road was once a logging and mining
road but is no longer a navigable four-wheel
vehicle route. It retains the character of
a steep mountain road in places, with an
average grade of 12%. It holds appeal for
hikers, runners and mountain bikers as a
single-track trail. Hitt Road could provide
a critical link to other important Westside
Forestland trails and, together with Forest
Service Road 2060, is one of the two main
arteries into the Westside Forestland trails
network.
Vegetation at the base of these trails is a
mix of chaparral, poison oak, manzanita,
white and black oak, Pacific madrone and
occasional open -grown pine trees. Large
granite boulders are perched in the Acid
Castle Rocks area, on Fell on Knee Trail, as
well and on the Westside Forest Service trails.
Trails in this area offer views of Mount
Ashland, Grizzly Peak, Mount McLoughlin,
the city of Ashland and the central
Rogue Valley.
Expected Users
Hikers, mountain bikers and runners use
the present trail system. Currently, electric
bicycles and other motorized traffic are
not permitted.
WESTSIDE FORESTLANO TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Typical Section
Hitt Road varies in width from five feet
to over twelve feet and is comprised of
decomposed granite interspersed with
smaller rocks and cobbles. The short section
of Fell on Knee Trail on city forestlands is on
decomposed granitic soil, approximately 24
inches wide when freshly maintained with 5%
or greater outslope, with less than 5% grade
on average.
In the drier months, traction can be an issue
on these granitic trails. In the winter months,
granite absorbs water and becomes less
slippery.
Natural and Cultural
Resources
Hitt Road is named after E.P. Hitt. In 1935,
E.P. Hitt and his wife deeded a significant
amount of property to the city. The road
was originally used for logging and mining.
Mining activities at the Skyline Mine near
Ostrich Peak led to the creation of roads
and trails in that area, including the Skyline
Mine Trail which is now used by hikers and
mountain bikers and has been renamed No
Candies Trail.
By 1995, after years of fire suppression,
limited logging and minimal management,
the Ashland Watershed morphed into an
overgrown fire hazzard. In that same year,
79
the city of Ashland launched the active
forest management of the city ownership
in the watershed. They later successfully
spearheaded a major ongoing collaboration
with the U.S. Forest Service in the larger
watershed with the following goals:
• Protect and promote the city's water
supply
• Maintain and promote forest health
• Reduce the fire -prone nature of the
forestland through active management
of vegetation and fuels
` e} i
xi
�,�y a
THE EASTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS ARE AMONG
THE MOST VISITED IN THE WATERSHED
C.
TTLE •
TR
IR—.1 IT
z
-----------------
IAI IT
IT
TINE
Creek .A.A
ELII. IT
"ELDER IT
IT
IE IT
DPP
L-i
PARK
Ll—
weuE IT o
L\1
'v_v
T
�
•
P—HEY
11
—I IT
•......
.—T., I,
cKhrwooD
PRoPERTY
Pyr
6"
EASTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
-7.172 1 Ili .31 z F3
01
el
a &Z
0
Map Key
Proposed
QM
Existing Trails
Creek to Crest
City Limits
Public Access Easement
Public School Campus
Parks
wd u
SOU Campus
City Owned (non -Park)
US Forest Service
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Miles
EASTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Route Description
The Eastside Forestland area extends
southeast from Lithia Park, bordered on
the west by Ashland Creek, to the south
by Forest Service lands, and to the east
by Oredson-Todd Woods. The Eastside
Forestland Trails are among the most visited
in the watershed and include a variety of trail
types and users such as mountain bikers,
equestrians, pedestrians and runners. Official
city trails are listed below:
• Alice in Wonderland
• Bandersnatch
• BTI
• Gryphon
• Jabberwocky
• Jub Jub
• Looking Glass
• Mike Uthoff
• Queen of Hearts
• Red Queen
• Snark
• Waterline
• White Rabbit
Much of the trail system starting near Lithia
Park loosely follows a ridge southeast and
roughly parallel to the nearby portion of the
Ashland Loop Road, aka Forest Service Road
2060, connecting to other Forest Service
roads and trails. Several of these trails start
on City park and forestlands and continue
82
ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PARK
TECH-1 TRAILS MAINTENANCE WORKER JILL MULLEN-FEELEY
HEADS UP A TRAILS WORK PARTY
onto Forest Service land, e.g., Red Queen
and Alice in Wonderland.
The trails near Oredson-Todd Woods and
adjoining Siskiyou Mountain Park were
created through a partnership with the city
of Ashland and the Southern Oregon Land
Conservancy. This area is above the city on
the southeast side, with access at the end of
Park Street, Lupine Drive or Ashland Loop
Road. It encompasses nearly 300 acres of
EASTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
park -like forestland with a system of looping
trails and a connection to White Rabbit and
Eastside uplands.
Linkages
With their proximity to downtown Ashland
and Lithia Park, the Eastside Forestland Trails
are the most accessible connections from the
city of Ashland to the Forest Service lands in
the upper watershed. Trails that start in the
city center connect to this trail system, up to
Mount Ashland and the Pacific Crest Trail.
With significant parking areas located in
and above Lithia Park, hikers, bicyclists,
equestrians and runners may begin their
routes from several locations. Equestrians
typically park their trailers just above
Lithia Park on Glenview Drive. Many of the
trails starting near Lithia Park connect to
a network of trails that wind through city -
owned forestlands and eventually onto
Forest Service trails in the upper watershed.
Some trails, notably White Rabbit and
the Mike Uhtoff Trail, connect the far
Eastside Forestlands laterally to the Alice
in Wonderland/Red Queen trail complex.
This includes a connector from the Oredson-
Todd Woods/Siskiyou Mountain Park area
with connections to both the Forest Service
uplands and, by extension, down into Lithia
Park and downtown Ashland.
83
Character
The Eastside Forestland is a diverse
hardwood and mixed conifer woodland
area with Douglas -fir, ponderosa pine,
Pacific madrone and white oak. This area
experiences the highest trail density in the
local trail systems. Several of the Eastside
Forestland trails start immediately adjacent
to residential areas and most of the trails
quickly ascend upslope into the forestlands.
There is high scenic value to many trails
in this area as they offer frequent views of
Mount Ashland, Grizzly Peak, Wagner Butte
and the city of Ashland.
Expected Users
Hikers, mountain bikers, runners and
equestrians use the the trails in this area.
Currently, electric bicycles and other
motorized traffic are not permitted.
Typical Section
Most trails in this area are on granitic soils,
approximately 24 inches wide, with a 5% or
greater outslope and less than 10% grade
on average. There are exceptions in terms of
width, steepness, outslope and soil type. Trail
sections range from groomed parklike areas
with wide chipped -bark paths, turnpikes and
kiosks with maps, e.g., Oredson-Todd Woods,
EASTSIDE FORESTLAND TRAILS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
to narrow, single track trails, e.g., Gimble,
Red Queen, with few simple trail signs. Some
mountain bike trails are wider, particularly in
turns.
In drier months, traction can be problematic
on trails composed of granitic soil. In wetter
months, granitic soils tend to absorb water
and become less slippery.
Natural And Cultural
Resources
Between 1950 and 1969, 53 miles of roads
were built in the Ashland Watershed. A
road moratorium in 1969 halted further
construction. Mountain bikers, runners,
equestrians and hikers use these defunct
logging roads to connect to trails. Some of
the roads have been abandoned for so long
that they have narrowed and are essentially
trails. The Forest Service actually lists Forest
Service Road 2060 as a trail named the
Lithia Loop Mountain Bike Route; however,
few mountain bikers actually ride the loop,
eschewing the roads for actual trails.
Lamb Mine Trail
In 1908, an Ashland storekeeper named
Lamb built a ridge -top wagon road to his
gold mining operation on the divide between
Bear Creek and Ashland Creek. Traces of the
old Lamb Wagon Road and Lamb Mine can
84
still be found parallel to the lower section of
Forest Service Road 2060 along the Lamb
Mine Trail. The trail follows portions of an old
mining ditch built sometime in the early 1900s
to transport water from Ashland Creek to
power a stamp mill located on upper Tolman
Creek Road. The ditch trail passes one of the
old "adits" (tunnels with one entrance) of the
Lamb Mine, which was excavated into the
granite slope in search of gold.
Alice In Wonderland
This trail was modified and named by early
mountain bikers in the 1980s. Its salient
feature is a long, narrow section that
features a canopy of thick manzanita. The
trail provides a riding experience similar to
descending through a tunnel. Riders must
duck and get low on their bikes to avoid the
overhead branches. Think "down the rabbit
hole" and one begins to understand the
origin of the name "Alice in Wonderland"
White Rabbit
White Rabbit was named by former Forest
Service recreational specialist, Phil Akerman,
who was instrumental in the design and
building of the White Rabbit Trail system.
Trails in that system include Queen of Hearts,
Mad Hatter, March Hare and Cheshire Cat.
roi
X16" to
I
A04.
W
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
a TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Regional Trail Connections
There is a strong and growing public desire
to gain connections from the Ashland trail
systems to the regional trails, landmarks
and recreational amenities that extend
throughout southern Oregon and northern
California. Existing and proposed regional
trail linkages will enable the city of Ashland
to continue functioning as the hub to a
network of trails connecting to adjacent
communities and to regionally significant
features including the Pacific Crest Trail
(PCT), the Siskiyou Crest and Grizzly Peak.
The State of Oregon's 2013-2018 Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
emphasizes the following goals:'
• linking urban trails to outlying Federal
trail systems
• linking neighborhood, community and
regional trails
• connecting community parks and other
recreational and public facilities
• connecting parks to supporting services
and facilities
• connecting neighboring communities
• improving use of the state's existing
non -motorized trail infrastructure
At the local level, the Ashland Woodland
Trails Association (AWTA) assists with the
86
THE CREEK TO CREST TRAIL ROUTE CONNECTS THE BEAR
CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND TO THE
PACIFIC CREST TRAIL UP NEAR MOUNT ASHLAND.
planning, construction and maintenance of
trails on both city lands and surrounding
ownerships. This work is intended to create
sustainable trails, enhance user experiences
and provide for travel between ownerships
with seamless trail connectivity. The primary
federal land management agencies in this
area, the Forest Service and the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM), encourage
and support local efforts to promote and
enhance non -motorized trail connectivity.
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Creek To Crest Trail
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The existing Creek to Crest Trail connects the
Bear Creek Greenway in the city of Ashland
to the PCT near Mount Ashland. This trail was
designated as a Visionary Trail Route for the
state by the Oregon Recreation and Parks
Association in the Statewide Trail Plan. APRC
and the Forest Service obtained a grant in
2002 to create the route using sections of
existing trails and building new sections
where needed. This project also provided for
trail signage along the route with over 180
new "Creek to Crest" signs installed in 2003.
From the Bear Creek Greenway, the trail
splits into two parallel routes with one route
traveling through Lithia Park and the other
ascending through Siskiyou Mountain Park.
These two routes rejoin above White Rabbit
Trailhead at the Caterpillar -White Rabbit Trail
junction where they continue on to the PCT
and Mount Ashland.
LINKAGES
This route passes many other trail and park
connections and some desirable viewpoints
as it traverses from the valley floor to Mount
Ashland and the PCT.
87
A SUNBURST BREAKS THROUGH THE MORNING
MIST ALONG THE CREEK TO CREST TRAIL.
CHARACTER
The route has a varied character, from
busy urban trails and city streets to natural
settings of parklands and outlying forests
with few other users.
EXPECTED USERS
Hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers may
use portions or the entirety of this route.
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Many trail users utilize portions of this trail as
a means for making other trail connections
or loops.
TYPICAL SECTION
This major connector route is comprised
of asphalt paths, sidewalks or city streets
close to town. As the trail ascends to Mount
Ashland it exhibits an increasingly wild
character and may be comprised of single-
track trail or dirt road.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Traveling from town to the top of Mount
Ashland, this trail attracts locals and
visitors alike. It provides opportunities to
view riparian creekside flora and fauna on
the valley floor, dry mixed hardwood and
conifer forests in the uplands, and alpine tree
species such as whitebark pine, hemlock and
Engelmann spruce as one approaches the
Mount Ashland summit.
The Cascade Foothills Area
AREA DESCRIPTION
The hills to the northeast of Ashland rise to
Grizzly Peak. This Cascade Foothills area
has a southern exposure with grasslands,
chaparral and scattered oak groves that
contrast greatly with the coniferous forests
of the Ashland watershed. This area offers
88
views of the city of Ashland, Mount Ashland,
Wagner Butte, Anderson Butte, Pilot Rock
and Mount Shasta.
The Imperatrice Ranch property lies within
these foothills and consists of 846 acres
owned by the city of Ashland. A conceptual
trail plan was prepared for the Imperatrice
Ranch property by the city of Ashland and
APRC. This property was purchased by the
City in 1996 using food and beverage tax
proceeds. It is located north of Interstate 5,
outside the Ashland urban growth boundary.
There are no year-round streams on the
property but several intermittent streams
flow during the wet season and at least
one spring, Hamby Spring, is located on
the property. Most of the property has a
relatively steep southern exposure.
Since 2009 there has been interest by the
city in determining the best use of the
property. Several organizations, including the
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC),
have expressed a desire to conserve portions
of the property. In addition to an abundance
of birds and rare plants, this property is
listed as an Area of Special Concern for the
survival of black -tailed deer and Roosevelt
elk herds.z
The Imperatrice Ranch affords opportunities
for recreational uses including trails, open
space and passive parks. An initial plan has
a REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
been developed for a trail system with a
viable opportunity for connection to Grizzly
Peak. A map of the wider Cascade Foothills
has been included to help visualize possible
regional connections through this property.
LINKAGES
The Cascade Foothills area provides a link
from the city of Ashland to regional trails and
to popular recreation sites in the Cascade
Mountains and the Howard Prairie plateau. Lake
Creek and Antelope Creek flow north of Grizzly
Peak and are also accessible from this area.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
A preliminary proposal for the Ashland to
Grizzly Peak Trail is listed as a planning
goal in the 2001 Greater Bear Creek Valley
Regional Problem Solving Phase One
Status Report, authored by the Rogue
Valley Council of Governments.3 This trail,
approximately eight miles in length, would
offer an opportunity for hikers, equestrians
and mountain bikers to utilize the Cascade
Foothills as a varied loop system or to gain
access to the higher elevation BLM lands
and recreation sites on the face and back
side of Grizzly Peak. Several easements
through private land, including the
newly -formed Sampson and Grizzly Peak
Preserves managed by the Selberg Institute,
will be needed to make this trail system
89
HIKING THE IMPERATRICE PROPERTY IN THE CASCADE
FOOTHILLS AREA.
viable. Additional SOLC acquisitions and
agreements with private landowners may
create new opportunities for connectivity
over time.
CHARACTER
The proposed trail would traverse open
fields with views of the valley to the south.
The grasslands above the vineyards and
pasturelands offer views of Ashland and the
60 REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
flanks of Mount Ashland and the surrounding
watershed. The high -clay content soils of this
area contribute slippage and challenges for
trail construction and sustainability.
EXPECTED USERS
The expected users for this trail include
hikers, runners, equestrians, mountain bikers
and maintenance vehicles. On steeper slopes,
a separate mountain bike trail would be
considered to avoid conflicts with
other users.
TYPICAL SECTION
The trail design standards are to be
determined at a later time of trail
development after trail usage and user -types
are analyzed.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Grizzly Peak is the most prominent feature
in the Ashland area of the Cascade Foothills.
Grizzly Peak rises from the valley to an
elevation of more than 5,900 feet above
sea level. Grizzly Peak obtained its name
in the mid-1850s when a young settler,
busy rounding up cattle, barely escaped
a fatal encounter with a grizzly bear near
the summit. By the 1890s, the area's last
grizzlies had been hunted to extinction.
It is managed as a recreation site by the
BLM and is within the Cascade-Siskiyou
so
National Monument. Currently, Grizzly Peak
is accessed via Shale City Road, 12 miles east
of Ashland. The area features a loop trail
through dense coniferous forests, grassy
openings and rocky bluffs. Grizzly Peak
suffered a wildfire and was burned over in
2002 and now provides an easily accessible
example of ecosystem adaptation as it
recovers following disturbance from wildfire.
The geology of the Cascade Foothills,
coupled with their southern aspect, provide
habitat for flora and fauna that is distinctly
different from the granitic north -aspect of
the Ashland Watershed. Several rare plants
and birds have been identified in the area.
This area currently has a very sparse human
population that is mostly concentrated at the
base of the foothills. Black tail deer, elk, black
bear and cougar may be observed in this
area and it has long been an area popular
with hunters.
To see a Biological Assessment for the
Imperatrice Property go here.
To see a vascular plant list for the Imperatrice
Property go here.
Emigrant Lake Area
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The Emigrant Lake Recreation Area is a
1,476-acre lakefront park with campsites,
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
boat ramps and a swimming cove located six
miles southeast of Ashland. This recreation
area is the planned terminus of the Bear
Creek Greenway and was part of the original
Greenway Plan of 1966.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Emigrant Lake is formed by a dam built
in 1924 which impounds Emigrant Creek
flowing out of the transitional landscape
between the Siskiyou Mountains and
Cascade Range. Its name derives from
the early 1850s when settlers traveled
the final stretch of the Applegate Trail
descending into the Bear Creek Valley.
The lake has an average water volume of
40,530 acre feet and is administered by the
TID in conjunction with the United States
Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir helps
provide additional storage for irrigation.
The surrounding geologically complex
Siskiyou Mountains have been eroding for
over 50 million years, depositing significant
quantities of clay, silt, sand, pebbles and
cobbles into low-lying areas at their base.
The very well-rounded pebbles and cobbles
of quartzite rock eroding from the upland
formations can often be found in the stream
gravels of Bear Creek Valley and on the
shoreline of Emigrant Lake.4
91
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
This popular National Scenic Trail was
created in 1968 as part of federal legislation
to foster the creation of a nationwide
system of trails. The PCT connects Mexico
to Canada and is 2,659 miles in length. The
city of Ashland is a major re -supply stop for
hikers on this trail, who are a common sight
in town during the busy summer season.
Heading north from California, the PCT runs
congruent with the Coast to Crest trail on
the Siskiyou Crest, west of Mount Ashland,
and follows it east of Interstate 5 and north
to enter the Cascade Mountain Range.
LINKAGES
The existing Creek to Crest Trail connects the
Bear Creek Greenway and numerous other
trails in the city of Ashland to the PCT near
Mount Ashland.
CHARACTER
This trail explores a broad range of habitats
along its entire length. Locally, it is a
ridgetop trail west of Interstate 5. East of
the interstate it connects to the community
of Greensprings, Oregon, and becomes a
plateau trail before heading north through
the Cascade Mountains. This trail experiences
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
severe overcrowding during the summer
season. Resource damage and negative user
experiences are a recurring problem due
to the trail's popularity.
EXPECTED USERS
The expected user groups for this trail are
hikers and equestrians. This trail passes
through multiple federal wilderness areas
where mountain bikers and motorized
equipment are not permitted. Local
community members use nearby portions of
this trail year-round for single and multi -day
hiking and horseback rides or snow sports.
TYPICAL SECTION
This is a high -volume, well -maintained,
typically single-track ridgetop trail.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Clinton Churchill Clarke first proposed
this trail in 1932 but it was not officially
designated until 36 years later. This
mountainous trail offers users an opportunity
to see a vast array of botanical and geologic
diversity as well as significant historical and
cultural landmarks and features. The lowest
point is near sea level, while the highest point
is 13,153 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The PCT traverses 25 National Forests and
seven National Parks.
92
SECTIONS OF THE CREEK TO CREST TRAIL ROUTE OFFER
CHALLENGING RIDES FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS.
Jack -Ash Trail
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The Jacksonville to Ashland trail, referred
to as the Jack -Ash Trail, has been partially
constructed. When completed it will run
primarily along the ridges and crests of
the Siskiyou Mountains between the two
cities. The first phase of construction
was completed in 2017 with subsequent
REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
proposed phases expected to be completed
in the near future.
LINKAGES
The trail will provide connectivity between
the Rogue and Applegate valleys. There
are opportunities for both short and long-
distance active recreation with linkages to
the PCT and other regional trails. On the
eastside, the proposed Jack -Ash Trail would
connect to the city of Ashland. Routes are
yet to be determined; there are multiple
options.
CHARACTER
Trail users would expect high vehicle traffic
on the sections congruent with existing
roadways during the weekends as well as
opportunities for solitude on some of
the single-track sections depending on
the season.
EXPECTED USERS
The Jack -Ash Trail is designed for non -
motorized users except where the route runs
concurrent with existing multiple -use roads.
Typical users could be hikers, mountain
bikers and equestrians.
TYPICAL SECTION
This trail consists of a series of single-track,
non -motorized trail sections that link several
segments of gravel and natural surface
93
roads that are open to vehicle traffic. Trail
segments are primarily on BLM land with
some proposed portions on private land for
which easements would be needed.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
This trail spans a wide variety of
environments, from urban areas to Siskiyou
Mountain ridge tops, winding through
meadows, chaparral and mixed forestlands.
The Jack -Ash Trail provides views of the
Rogue and Applegate Valleys, the Siskiyou
Crest and the Cascade Mountains.5
Citations
1. 2017 SCORP
SCORP/2013-2017 Oregon
2. Beneficial Use of Imperatrice Property,
City of Ashland, July 2009
Beneficial Use of Imperatrice Property
3. Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional
Problem Solving Phase One Status
Report
Regional Problem Solving Phase
4. United States Bureau of Reclamation -
Emigrant Lake
United States Bureau of Reclamation -
Emigrant Lake
S. BLM Jack -Ash Trail EA
BLM Jack -Ash Trail EA
I
I
ASHY
CITY OF
° -AS H LA N D
WAS
0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Ashland Mayor and
City Council
John Stromberg, Mayor
Julie Akins, Councilor
Tonya Graham, Councilor
Stephen Jensen, Councilor
Rich Rosenthal, Councilor
Stefani Seffinger, Councilor
Dennis Slattery, Council Chair
ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION
Mike Gardiner, Chair
Rick Landt, Vice -Chair
Joel Heller, Commissioner
Jim Lewis, Commissioner
Julian Bell, Commissioner
TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE COMMITTEE
Luke Brandy, Ashland Forest Lands
Commission liaison
David Chapman, Chair
Stephen Jensen, Vice -Chair,
Principle Editor
Mike Gardiner, Ashland Parks
and Recreation Commission
Torsten Heycke, Ashland Woodlands & Trails
Association, President
Jim Lewis, Ashland Parks and Recreation
Commissioner
Jim McGinnis, member of the public
95
City of Ashland Staff
Michael Black, Director, Ashland Parks and
Recreation Commission
Paula Brown, Director, Public Works
Eric Bruhn, Senior IS Analyst, IT Department
Kevin Caldwell, Senior Engineering Project
Manager, Public Works, Engineering
Division
Chris Chambers, Forest Division Chief,
Ashland Fire and Rescue
Dorinda Cottle, Executive Analyst, Ashland
Parks and Recreation Commission
Susan Dyssegard, Executive Assistant,
Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission
Rickey Fite, GIS Analyst, Public Works,
Engineering Division
Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner, Planning
Department
Dan Hendrix, Computer Services Manager, IT
Department
Dave Lohman, City Attorney
Jeffrey McFarland, Interim Parks
Superintendent, Ashland Parks and
Recreation Commission
Jason Minica, Supervisor, Ashland Parks and
Recreation Commission
Bill Molnar, Director, Community
Development
Lea Richards, GIS Analyst, Public Works,
Engineering Division
Julie Smitherman, Conservation Specialist,
Public Works, Conservation Division
0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Key Staff Contributors
Michael Black, Director, Ashland Parks and
Recreation Commission
Susan Dyssegard, Executive Assistant,
Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission
Jeffrey McFarland, Interim Parks
Superintendent, Ashland Parks and
Recreation Commission
Lea Richards, GIS Analyst, Public Works,
Engineering Division
Local Partnerships and
Organizations
Ashland Forest Lands Commission
Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association
Bear Creek Greenway Foundation
Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Southern Oregon University
USDA Forest Service
Technical Assistance
Contractors
Alta Planning Group
Betsy Manuel, Meeting Minutes
Mark Mularz, Fetch Design
96
Photographers
David Chapman
Pages: 19, 39, 41, 44, 77
Jeffrey McFarland
Pages: Cover, 5, 11, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26,
28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, 46, 50, 52, 55,
57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 75, 79, 80,
82, 85, 86, 87, 89
Joy Trevey Lowell
Page 21
Marshall Miller Photography
Page 6
Mike Oxendine
Page 94
Torsten Heycke
Page 92