Marion County officials are closing in on a plan for the future look and function of the six county parks that were badly damaged in the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire.
The Marion County Parks Commission, a volunteer group that advises the Board of Commissioners, parks staffers and the Portland-based firm of Walker Macy landscape architecture hope to nail down the broad outlines of the plan in time for the commission’s July 21 meeting.
The board of commissioners, which will make the final decision on the parks plan, will receive and review the plan at a work session later this summer. Parks officials emphasize that the repairs, restoration and upgrades that the plan will call for likely will not be completed for at least a decade.
Marion County parks officials have divided the parks into two groups, Highway 22 parks that will feature a more developed environment, and North Fork facilities that are intended to “immerse visitors in the natural beauty of the Santiam Canyon.”
Parks officials briefed the commission on the current state of the plan at the commission’s May 19 public meeting at the county’s Public Works compound.
Here is a look at key details of the plan, which likely will be paid for largely with recovery funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Highway 22 parks
Minto: This facility, between Lyons and Mill City will focus on fish and wildlife. Recreation goals include improving day-use capacity and access, establishing bird-watching trails and river access points and perhaps hike-in camping. Restoration projects include engineering log jams for fish habitat, using snags and dense plantings to assist wildlife and developing a floodplain meadow.
Packsaddle: This six-acre facility just upstream from Gates will continue to serve as a launch point for rafting and kayaking on the river. Recreation fixes include improving driveway access and day-use capacity, a covered picnic area and perhaps a kayak launch. Restoration challenges include tributary work and riparian buffers as well as a boat cleaning station to boost water quality and limit invasives. Packsaddle is the lone facility of the six that is currently open to the public.
Niagara: The county will be working with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde on a native wildflower and camas meadow. Recreation plans include building a restroom, expanding parking, reopening trails and new picnic areas. Restoration projects include improving upland and riparian vegetation, bird and bat boxes and perhaps a fire ecology center.
North Fork region parks
North Fork: The goal with this facility just up Little North Fork Road from Lyons, is to “reconnect with nature and the river.” Recreation plans include an expanded parking area, a new restroom, a host site, a camping area, small picnic areas and trails and user access points to the river. Restoration goals include noxious weed control, floodplain restoration, forest replantings and the addition of bird and bat boxes.
Bear Creek: Further up the road at Bear Creek the approach will emphasize camping, mainly for RVS, as well as activities for children. Recreation plans include re-establishing and expanding trails, RV camping, a picnic shelter and perhaps a dog park and a wetland boardwalk. Restoration targets include wetland work, replantings, noxious weed control and bird and bat boxes.
Salmon Falls: This park is designed to be the camping hub for the region, with the former overflow parking lot dedicated to camping sites. The recreation focus will be on adding 12-15 yurts, camping sites, an amphitheater for outdoor education and perhaps a suspension bridge over the Little North Santiam to provide access to less-used portions of the park. Restoration work will feature culverts to aid fish passage and replantings in riparian and upland areas.
The parks commission also is working on a policy that would govern possible renaming of park facilities. No discussions have been held on listing names because the first step was to create a policy for the process. None currently exists.
“We’re building the engine, we’re not running it,” said commission vice-chair Katy Waid.
