Rachael McDonald is a reporter with KLCC. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

Oregon Parks wants input on priorities for a ten-year update to their statewide trails plan. This month, trail users can share their thoughts at a series of online focus groups.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Oregon Trails Coalition are convening the focus groups.

Steph Noll with OTC said the focus groups will go deeper into some topics that were gleaned from a survey that was done last month.

“We expect, in the focus groups, to be especially zeroing in on maintenance needs,” she said. “On accessibility and barriers to participation in folk’s favorite activities. And also a little bit around what the greatest funding needs are.”

The statewide trail plan draft is expected to be out next winter.

Each online session will be targeted at a different type of trail user.

Each session is 90 minutes long.

• May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
• May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/06/oregon-input-trails-focus-groups-month/