A small group met to share and exchange information on initiatives and efforts identified by our Oceanside neighbors.

Dan Haag, Director of Trails, Outdoor and Accessibility for the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA) joined us to share his work and perspectives. He thanked Oceanside for their support of the recently passed SB 1576. The bill affirms immunity protections for keeping parks and trails open and provides for a two-year timeframe for legislators to make additional changes and updates to existing statutes. He encouraged us to thank our legislators for their quick action in addressing this issue. Both Short Beach and Tire Trails in Oceanside are affected.

Information on activities and funding opportunities with the TCVA:

·     Accessibility tool-kits for trails and availability and placement of “David’s Chair”

·     Volunteering opportunities for youth groups that have included the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

·     Trail Ambassador Program

·     Scholarships through Tillamook Bay Community College

·     Support and connection with trails organizations including the Oregon Trail Keepers, Sisters Trail Alliance and Tillamook Bay Trails Coalition

·     Wilderness First-Aid Classes

·     DeGarde Brewing Tillamook – May 4^th fundraiser with special “Trailkeeper” beer created for TCVA

Chris Laity, Public Works Director of Tillamook County, shared updates:

·     Short Beach – A grant has been submitted for the design of a new trail to replace the current one. Additional funding will be identified for the build and completion. Chris expects effort to begin this fall.

·     Tire Trail – Bruce Jaeger shared that there is an interest and effort to identify ownership of the property over which the trail and bridge fall. Chris shared that he did not believe that the trail falls on county property. The trails group shared their overall concern about the integrity of the trail and options to repair and/or replace it.

Craig Child and Mapping Oceanside

·     As part of the effort of the Trails Team, Craig shared a map that he worked on with Gill Wiggin to identify trails in the Oceanside area that included: Trails in use and located on public land, trails in use on private land and county trails. All acknowledged that this is a great visual and tactical tool to help us better focus attention and efforts to connect our neighborhoods and provide safe access for public use.