FOOTPATHS

Build Lebanon Trails:
Inspired by the Vision, Dedicated to the Work

By Deb Fell-Carlson

Crowds gather for the opening ceremony of Mark Slough Trail, the first completed segment of Lebanon’s proposed trail system.

Lebanon is a quiet community nestled on the western edge of the Cascade Foothills, about 90 miles south of Portland, OR. Once a floundering timber community, Lebanon’s economy is vibrant with new industry, and its history and geography add to the charm that makes this town attractive and ideally suited to a community trail network. Lebanon’s rich history and the variety of plants and wildlife in the area’s ecosystem have sparked excitement about the educational and recreational opportunities a trail network would bring.

The “City that Friendliness Built” is building a pathway to friendliness, fitness, and fun by developing a network of 50 miles of interconnected trails that will link parks, schools, and businesses within the urban growth boundary. Although many of these trails are still “proposed” because easements and property purchases have not yet been finalized by the City of Lebanon, others are in development. One segment has already been completed and is open to the public.

Partnerships have been essential to the success of the trails development effort. In 2004, the city partnered with the Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP), sponsored by Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and the Oregon Office of Rural Health. The city’s goal of improving livability for its citizens meshed nicely with CHIP’s purpose, which is to promote and encourage healthier opportunities for the citizens of the community. The trails coalition evolved as a subcommittee of CHIP in 2005 and now calls itself “Build Lebanon Trails” (BLT).

The coalition has matured since 2005. BLT is making its vision of a community trails network a reality. BLT continues to be supported by CHIP, the city itself, and generous individual and corporate donors and sponsors, who, in addition to monies, provide good, old-fashioned volunteer labor. The coalition has displayed a sustained commitment to its motto: “Inspired by the vision, dedicated to the work.” The intent is that these trails will be open to all. Most will be paved and wheelchair accessible.

The Mark Slough Trail, the first official trail in the system, was opened to the public on December 8, 2007. More than 50 community members, including the city’s mayor and the vice president of Community Benefit for Samaritan Health Services, were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students from Pioneer School and Dr. Raylene Gordin, MD and BLT naturalist, planted an inaugural tree that will commemorate the trail’s opening. Students from Lebanon’s Pioneer School created posters displaying messages about the importance of environmental stewardship. These were displayed along the trail route.

Other examples of the Master Plan include a trail that will meander along the South Santiam River where walkers might pause to skip a few rocks or observe white water rafters navigate the rapids. Another trail corridor will take visitors high above the eastern edge of the community, to the top of Ridgeway Butte where they can see far across the verdant valley floor to the Coast Range. Another trail will lead through the historic district of downtown Lebanon.

The Cheadle Lake trail is both a land and water trail. Currently under development, this trail will take visitors around the lake by foot, bicycle, or wheelchair. Another option will be to cross the lake by canoe or kayak. The lake’s proximity to town and the cleanliness of the water makes it possible for avid fishermen to catch a fish or two during their lunch break.

Finally, Project Walden is proposed as another land and water natural area with trails, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities.

If you go:
Plan on coming the second Saturday of each month at 10am. Because many of the proposed trails are not yet complete and the city does not yet have rights to all of the properties, the entire trail system (except Phase I of Mark Slough Trail) is not yet open to the public. However, BLT secures permission and sponsors community hikes on the proposed trails on the second Saturday of each month. The trail walks are open to the public.

Flyers for upcoming hikes can be obtained at the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce and current trail information is also posted online at www.lebanontrails.com. For more information, call Mark Swenson at 541-258-4287.

Come prepared. It is always a good idea to bring your own snacks and water, a personal first aid kit, appropriate dress for the weather, and appropriate clean-up supplies for your leashed pet. Lebanon is located about seven miles east of I-5 at Exit 228. Trailheads for the community hikes are always well-marked. We look forward to seeing you.

Deb Fell-Carlson is a certified occupational health nurse with a passion for worker safety and health who loves hiking and the outdoors. She is the author of the recently released Delmar-Cengage 3-book suite, Working Safely in Health Care: A Practical Guide, and has authored several occupational health and safety articles for professional journals. This is her first article related to hiking. She is a volunteer with Build Lebanon Trails.