In this issue:
 - The Biggest WTA Trail Crew Ever
Andrew Engelson
Editor, Washington Trails magazine
Originally published on: The event was the largest single day volunteer event in the history of Vancouver-ClarkParks and Recreation and also the single largest crew ever led by WTA! In addition to plenty of tread work and brushing, the ambitious folks from OIA installed nearly 20 yards of retaining wall and built eight check steps. With cries of “hot mulch coming through” ringing in the air, volunteers spread a thick layer of mulch on almost 100 yards of tread from Dubois Park playground into the heart of the wooded section of trail. By day's end, nearly a mile of trail had been reconstructed.

“It was a great event, and a wonderful opportunity for us to give back,” said Lisa Winston, the Outdoor Industry Association Events Coordinator, who worked with the parks department and WTA to organize the event.

Thanks to all who pitched in!

Sandy River Connections Working Group includes a coalition of local and regional partners: City of Troutdale, Metro Regional Government, Multnomah County, ODOT Region 1, U.S. Forest Service – Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon Parks and Recreation, Port of Portland, Bureau of Land Management, Confluence Project, and the 40 Mile Loop Land Trust. These partners are working to ensure thoughtful planning and coordination of transportation, recreation, education/interpretation and resource enhancement related projects. The Sandy River Connections Concept Plan not only outlines the on the ground trail connections but has provided the group with the needed personal connections and contacts. Together the group can achieve the collective vision for the Sandy River Area.

The Sandy River Connections Concept Plan project area includes the area immediately east and west of the SandyRiver near the City of Troutdale at the river’s confluence with the Columbia River. The project area is not only the confluence of two important rivers, the Sandy and the Columbia, but geographically delineates the edge of the Portland metropolitan region from the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

The Sandy River Connections Concept Plan provides a framework to unite current and future transportation, recreation, education/interpretation and resource enhancement opportunities and efforts. This Concept Plan explores the existing and planned local and regional pedestrian/bicycle routes to ensure they link together. The ‘linkages’ will provide a safer and more comprehensive system of roads, parks, and trails; as well as connections between metropolitan Portland with the Sandy River watershed, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Mt. Hood National Forest trail system.