Banks-Vernonia State Trail Connection Complete

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 28, 2010

The southern trailhead on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail opens for the first time in Banks on October 29, 2010. What began as Oregon's first state rails-to-trails project in 1990 will now offer a complete 21-mile connection between the two rural communities. Banks is in western Washington County, and Vernonia is in southern Columbia County.

A public ceremony will start at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 29 in Banks at the trailhead site at the intersection of Main St, Banks Rd and Sellers Rd. Free parking for the event opens at 10 a.m. and will be offered at Sunset Park, on Main Street in Banks 1/2 mile south of the trailhead. Speakers at the event include Tony Hyde (Columbia County Commissioner), Andy Duyck (Washington County Commissioner), Jason Tell (Oregon Dept of Transportation Region 1 manager), and Jay Graves (Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission Vice Chair). Food donations for local food banks will be accepted at the event.

The $1.4 million project included the final 1.5 miles of trail, a trailhead and parking for 27 vehicles. Funding came from several sources -- Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant funding ($819,000); the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ($411,000); Oregon Parks and Recreation Department ($130,000 in Lottery Funds) and Washington County ($20,000). The project was managed cooperatively with Washington County as transportation staff moved a road to improve intersection safety.

"Completing a trail connection is a satisfying feeling," says Tim Wood, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director. "The people in Banks and Vernonia have supported this park patiently for these last 20 years, to serve their residents' recreation needs and for the economic boost that follows from well-run parks."

The Friday, Oct. 29 ceremony in Banks is public and free, but attendees are asked to bring canned food donations to benefit the Columbia and Washington County food banks.

In honor of the opening, Stub Stewart Memorial State Park is hosting a free open house Saturday and Sunday, October 30-31. On Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., park staff and volunteers will feature demonstrations on mountain biking, disc golf, native wildlife and plants, and information on local geology. A free bike ride hosted by the Northwest Bicycle Safety Council leaves Banks at 10 a.m. Oct. 30 (register online at http://bankstrailhead.eventbrite.com/). A geocache event is scheduled at Stub Stewart from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. The usual $5 per vehicle parking fee at Stub Stewart is waived on both October 30 and 31. The Banks-Vernonia Trail is free all year long.

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