This is post number 3 on the progress of the Yreka Greenway Project. I would like to share some updates with you. First I noticed that someone has finally cleared the ‘parking area’ on Oberlin Rd of the mass of two foot tall weeds and star thistle. Thank you to whoever was responsible for that!!
Giving the Greenway Trail another chance was like returning to a restaurant after getting really poor service or food the first time. The expectation dwindles a bit, the attitude going in is far less enthusiastic and usually that allows the mediocrity to be palatable. That said ~ with lower expectations the hike was pretty good:) The best part was seeing that the graffiti was painted over! Yea!!! Big big thank you to the responsible party here!!
I have to admit some of these kids are pretty talented with the spray cans. Maybe we could have an area set aside for them to ‘express themselves’ without ruining stuff!
We were also able to make it all the way to the Visitor’s Center from the Oberlin Road entrance. The key is to go through the ‘thatch tunnel’ that hugs the cement wall. Just pretend your a hobbit! It makes it more fun!
There are parts of the trail that are really nice - even picturesque! There are other parts that are probably impassible once the creek is flowing ~ right now it is mostly dried up and there are still a couple of problem areas. We came across a campsite Keystone Light site and still a few graffiti hot spots. I won’t forget - Okay!!!??? Stop spray painting stuff - Geeeezzz!!!
On the plus side, the transients and teenagers have blazed a pretty nice walking trail that wasn’t there in June during our first attempt to walk the trail. On the other hand things were a little prettier in June - the water was flowing and wildflowers were blooming.
Kind a pretty, huh? Check out this! Just happened to look over the bridge on Oberlin Rd and catch a doe with her twins in the creek! Looks like a postcard!
I had the opportunity to visit with Jerry Mosier about a month ago. Jerry Mosier has been involved with the Yreka Greenway Project for many years and is very committed to seeing the project move forward. It was great to get a balanced perspective of the scope of this project. It truly is complicated and at this point is primarily focused on acquiring land and/or easements along the creek as well as construction of improved flood plains. The focus is not on the recreational aspects of the greenway ~ which is most disappointing to me!
So here’s the deal. The city doesn’t consider this project a priority (although the graffiti being painted over was promising). As a matter of fact it is so low on the priority scale that the city has laid off Yreka’s Parks and Recreation Director, who was in the job such a short time that most people didn’t even know Yreka had a Parks and Recreation Department! One step forward, two steps back! I don’t know Kathi Sheehan personally, but from what I hear she was highly qualified for the job. Dang! But on a happy note our City Manager and City Attorney received 5% raises recently. phewww! That’s a relief!
The only way this is going to be a priority with the city is if people start making noise about this cause. How many of you have visited Lithia Park in Ashland? There is no reason why Yreka could not have a park that is similar in beauty, function and value. We just have to demand it and work towards achieving it. The first step is to go see for yourself what the Greenway is all about (bring a friend - preferably an imposing and muscular one:)
