NEWBERG, Ore. — Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD) released an updated draft master plan and trail map for Bob & Crystal Rilee Park, laying out new trail-user designations ahead of the planned return of mountain biking to the park in late September, pending board approval.
The draft plan follows the CPRD Board of Directors’ 3-2 vote in June to allow mountain biking to resume at the 325-acre Parrett Mountain park within 90 days, reversing a 2023 board decision that had removed bike access. Biking is not yet permitted at the park, CPRD said.
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CPRD worked with NV5, the consulting firm that produced the park’s 2024 master plan, to update the plan, according to the release. The board is scheduled to consider the amendments and receive an implementation update at its Sept. 24 meeting, though the trail designations are the only portion of the plan currently before the board for adoption, said Kat Ricker, CPRD’s public information director.
“The only changes to the masterplan for amendment are the trail changes,” Ricker said in an email to Newsberg.
Under the updated plan, CPRD said it will reconfigure and designate the park’s approximately 13.37 miles of trails to accommodate multiple user groups.
Mountain bikers and hikers will share approximately 3.97 miles across two trails, the Farmhouse Loop and Russ’ Loop, in the south-central and eastern sections of the park, with some segments carrying directional-travel requirements for cyclists based on safety recommendations.
Equestrians and hikers will share about 5.86 miles across three trails — Bert’s Field Loop, Dani’s Field Loop, and Art Loop — providing horseback access to both the east and west sides of the park. The remaining roughly 2.69 miles — spanning Forrest’s Loop, Curtis Field Loop, and Bobcat Loop — will be open to all users, including hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. CPRD said those trails include some of the park’s steepest terrain and will require further development and rerouting.
The park will also reserve .85 miles, known as the Cistern Loop, as a hiker-only section near the park’s main area.
Beyond trail designations, CPRD said it is preparing new signage indicating trail-user designations and, in some areas, direction of travel, along with trailhead kiosks featuring maps, rules, and etiquette information at both parking areas. The district also plans road safety improvements, including better signage and safer crossings at each parking area, according to the release. Signage is the district’s most immediate priority for the park, Ricker said.
“We are working immediately on adding new signage for the new trail designations, to roll out as soon as possible with the trail changes this fall,” Ricker said. “That is our immediate priority for this park.”
The draft master plan map, marked for public review and posted alongside the release, also outlines longer-term projects at the park, including a covered equestrian arena with stables and an obstacle course near the equestrian trailhead, viewpoint shelters with views of Mount Hood and other Cascade peaks, a nature-play playground, a fenced off-leash dog area, and conversion of some fields to oak savannah habitat. Those elements remain conceptual, Ricker said.
“Other changes such as the nature playground and covered arena are in the plan, but the plan has yet to advance to funding and timetable for construction and implementation,” Ricker said.
CPRD is seeking volunteers to serve as trail ambassadors this fall to help educate park users about the changes. Residents interested in volunteering can indicate so through a feedback form on the CPRD website.
CPRD will hold a community information session from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 27 in the pavilion at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course, where staff will share details on the new trail configurations and take public comment ahead of the Sept. 24 board meeting.
The updated map and master plan are posted on CPRD’s website, where residents can also submit comments or volunteer as trail ambassadors, according to the release.
