The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is looking to add another spur to the Indian Creek Trail network with the hopes of improving access to those who live around the Pacific Avenue area of the Heights.
Scott Baker, assistant director of HRVPRD, reported the matter was discussed amongst staff and board members during a regular meeting of the Parks and Rec board held last week. He explained the new segment of trail would start at the “north side of the Sieverkropp development” located east of Horizon Christian School and run west in between the development and the south side of Indian Creek until it links up with the current trail behind Dutch Bros. off 12th Street. The spur would be approximately half a mile in length.
Once the Sieverkropp Development — which calls for the construction of 98 homes — is fully built out, Baker says the new spur will serve as “a great connector” trail for residents of the development and other areas off Pacific Avenue who are trying to reach 12th Street or the other sections of Indian Creek Trail.
The spur marks the second recent connector to be added to the trail. Earlier this year, Parks and Rec applied to the city for an amendment to be added to its conditional use permit that would allow the addition of a connector from the Avalon Way neighborhood to the section of Indian Creek Trail located behind Columbia Gorge Community College.
In an addition to providing access to the trail and 12th Street, Baker says the new spur could have an added benefit as an access to Elliot Park if it is developed. The park, which lies on city land, is immediately north of Betty Lou Avenue and currently consists of trees, Scotch broom, and poison oak, according to Baker.
In order to make the trail a reality, Parks and Rec would have to acquire “a handful of easements,” Baker said. According to a county tax parcel web map, land along the south side of Indian Creek is owned by Providence Hospital, Mid-Columbia Center for Living, and private landowners. Baker said Parks and Rec is currently working with Providence on the easement.
Surveying on the trail is complete, and work on the easements is in progress, but Baker did not have an estimate as to when work on the trail might start, although he noted that he didn’t “expect anything to be done before the spring.”
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