Madrone Wall Public meeting #2 update

[elaine]

Thanks to the climbers that did show up at Wednesday's meeting!

See some of you tomorrow at the clean up? Please meet at the Carver School and carpool from there!

 

Meeting #2 involved voting on one of three concept plans of what the park could look like. These concept plans have been drafted up by Alta Planning and Design and Clackamas County. You can view their plans at their website- www.madronewall.com

 

The 40 some people that attended voted on a "hybrid" of concept 2 and 3. This plan, which was pretty much unanimously accepted, allowed for moderate trail development (beginner, intermediate, advanced trails, ADA accessible/interpretive) with an established trail up to the top, dispersed gravel parking in the "meadow" area (for those that have been there), and a restroom/port-o-potty.

 

The one or two folks that wanted plan #1 ( which was minimal trail development, no parking on site, and NO climbing) were in support of "potential" bat habitat in the caves on the property. One of the supporters of climbing at the site had some interesting words for the County as to why they even proposed plan #1. Alta did state at the first meeting that SOME of the site has to be ADA accessible ( parking, picnic tables).

 

The 3rd public meeting on October 29 from 6-8pm will again be at the Sunnybrook Service Center (9101 SE Sunnybrook Blvd, Clackamas, 97015). Please attend!

 

It is at this 3rd meeting that they will show the hybrid plan that was voted on and take additional public input. Keith and I are hoping that they can finally put to rest any liability concerns....Somehow, the County and a few individuals at the meeting feel that there is some sort of greater liability to the County ( lawsuits with injury/death) with rock climbing as opposed to hiking, fishing, or other forms of recreation.

 

Keith, Ian Caldwell and I provided the County and Alta with resources and contacts at Mt Hood National Forest, Smith Rock State Park, and Beacon Rock State Park, to get a land managers perspective on liability and also how they create management plans. We've cited the Oregon Statutes, too. We believe that the County will gain a better understanding on this issue if they have these conversations, but we think they are "getting it" with the liability issue.

 

What's next? We hope to hear more about how this project will be funded by the County ( grants from Oregon State Parks, County Funds, etc) at the next meeting. The Madrone Wall will be applying for an Access Fund grant, and an REI grant. We are also applying for Federal Appropriation Funds from Senator Smith and Wyden's offces. Wayne Wallace will be helping us out, too, on November 10th at the Hollywood theater! Details to follow soon!

 

We do anticipate that in November the Parks Board will review the recommendations made by the the info gathered at the public meetings, Alta, and the public-approved concept plan, and make their own recommendations. We anticipate to have the Board of County Commissioners vote on the plan that the Parks Board send them sometime in January.

 

So, the public may vote on it and want it to look one way. The Parks Board can review and make revisions and recommendations before they send it on to the Commissioners. We would not expect it to deviate too much from what the public has voted on. Your continued input via e-mails, phone calls, and letter writing to the Commissioners is still important. Feel free to send your correspondence to:

bcc@co.clackamas.or.us

or contact them individually via:

http://www.clackamas.us/bcc/

 

 

The site WILL NOT be open until some improvements have been made and parking is established. Some of the improvements can happen in phases as more funding gets secured, but the site can open without all of the proposed projects being completed.

 

Thanks for the support!

Kellie Rice

Madrone Wall Preservation Committee