From left to right are HRVPRD Board President and foundation board member Christy Christopher, Hood River City manager Abigail Elder, and donor Kenn Francis, PRA/Brookside, LLC.
HOOD RIVER — The long-anticipated Indian Creek Trail project has reached a significant milestone, clearing the way for the next phase of work after the completion of a series of landmark property donations.
A conservation easement protecting the future trail corridor has been donated to the City of Hood River, ensuring permanent public access and conservation of the 9-acre parcel. In addition, the land has been donated to the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District (HRVPRD), placing ownership of the open space in public hands for generations to come.
The property donations were provided by Kenn Francis of PRA/Brookside LLC, whose commitment and partnership have made this milestone possible.
“My wife and I started coming to Hood River in 2013 for the beauty and outdoor activities. We fell in love and built a home here soon after,” Francis said. “We are excited to be a part of the community and look forward to the completion of the lovely Indian Creek trail.”
Francis has worked with HRVPRD over the past year and a half to make this donation possible.
With the property transfers complete, the trail project will now move into the design and permitting phase. Over the coming year, HRVPRD will work with engineers to plan and prepare for trail construction.
Funding for the trail connection has been partially secured thanks to the community and efforts of the Hood River Valley Parks & Rec Foundation (HRVPRF), a recently formed nonprofit dedicated to enriching the parks, trails, and rec facilities of Hood River County. By collaborating with local donors during the foundation’s first fundraising campaign, HRVPRF raised more than $120,000. The funds raised to date will help cover the costs of the initial design, engineering, and permitting work necessary to move the project forward.
From left to right are HRVPRD Board President and foundation board member Christy Christopher, Hood River City manager Abigail Elder, and donor Kenn Francis, PRA/Brookside, LLC.
Photos courtesy Hood River Valley Parks & Rec
“Reaching this milestone was truly a team effort that took every partner working together toward the shared goal of completing this much-loved trail,” said Christy Christopher, Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District Board president and foundation ex-officio member. “After nearly 30 years of the community envisioning this trail connection, we’re just a few steps away from it being completed. We’re incredibly grateful to Kenn Francis, his operating partner Reco Prianto, our donors, and all of our partners who have helped bring us to this exciting moment.”
The Indian Creek Trail connection will link the two currently separate sections of the trail, creating over four miles of continuous pedestrian and bicycle access from downtown Hood River to Barrett Park on the Westside. It will also connect the high school directly to Columbia Gorge Community College’s Hood River campus. Many of the existing trail sections were secured through trail easements provided by private property owners, with this section being by far the largest such contribution.
As design progresses over the next year, HRVPRD and the foundation will continue to provide updates and opportunities for community engagement. The district is responsible for trail construction and will manage the project while also working on its aquatic center rebuild. The foundation raised private dollars for the trail design costs and continues to accept donations towards trail projects.
You can find more information on Hood River Valley Parks and Rec Foundation at www.hrvparksfoundation.org.
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