An Envision Bear Creek plan on future maintenance and enhancements for the 22-mile Greenway corridor recommends formation of a service district hybrid model by the five trail cities and Jackson County with taxing authority to run the operation.

A ranger program, two full-time employees and regular maintenance, including vegetation control and capital improvements, are called for in the document.

The 2020 Almeda Fire, which spread from Ashland to south Medford along the Greenway, created public concern about the need for vegetation management, and jurisdictions began planning for the future. Jackson County provided $300,000 in funds to support the plan’s development.

Public input was a major part of the effort, which was conducted by Alta Planning + Design of Portland. The goal was to identify existing challenges and formulate a plan to preserve and improve the corridor.

“We do not have plans as of yet in regards to a specific timeline. Our current effort has been to brief all jurisdictions on the report recommendations,” Jackson County Parks Roads and Parks Director Steve Lambert wrote in response to questions from the Rogue Valley Times. No formal actions have been taken by any jurisdictions in support of the proposal, he added.

To form the hybrid service district, jurisdictions would create an initial intergovernmental agreement then develop details before voters’ approval would be sought. A majority of voters in the proposed district would need to approve its formation.

County officials and the firm that developed the plan have given presentations to some jurisdictions, the latest to Phoenix City Council on Nov. 4. They have briefed Ashland’s council and parks commission, Central Point’s council and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Talent’s council may be briefed in December, while Medford’s could occur in January.

A 2008 Joint Power Agreement has led to collective administration of the Greenway by the cities and Jackson County. Oregon Department of Transportation is also a partner as the Greenway includes some of its lands. The parties have contributed for routine maintenance costs and to fund a part-time county employee.

Work on the report began in July 2022 and over 3,000 people provided input through two surveys and public sessions. A steering committee, a community advisory committee and a technical advisory committee were also formed to aid the process.

“It was one of the best inputs I’ve seen on one of these projects. People were so enthusiastic,” Mike Sellinger with Alta told the Phoenix council.

In the first survey, 84% of respondents listed crime and safety as the biggest current challenges for the Greenway. The category included fire hazards and a lack of supervision. Maintenance was mentioned by 57% of respondents, while amenities and water quality/invasive plants were both mentioned by 35%.

A second survey focused on how to prioritize improvement efforts and funding. Greenway maintenance and operations were the top priority, named by 45% of respondents. When asked how to increase support, a trail ranger program was mentioned by 46% while 38% named increased law enforcement presences. Willingness to support the Greenway financially was indicated by 69%.

The steering committee recommended formation of the hybrid service district over other special district types or a collaboration among the jurisdictions. They also said any taxing district should assess properties closest to the Greenway rather than those in the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization area or the entire county. A district boundary map has been created.

Recommendations were made for five projects and programs. They include maintenance and operations; amenities and enhancements; riparian restoration; capital repair and replacement; and capital expansion and access.

A ranger program was seen as a way to provide consistent official presence on the Greenway. Rangers would be specially trained and certified staff members who would traverse the trail regularly.

“The ranger program came out of a desire to address safety concerns,” said Sellinger. “It has been done across the nation in similar setups. It had strong support from the public.”

Under the proposal, $926,000 would be spent annually for vegetation and fire fuel management.

A need was determined for a paved connection from the Greenway to Glenwood Road for access to Highway 99 in North Phoenix. Access to the future Midway Park in Medford was also identified.

Full-time positions for a Greenway coordinator and a volunteer coordinator are also proposed.

The document recommends annual outlays of $2.1-million for maintenance and operations. A total of $5.9 million in one-time capital costs was identified.

ECONorthwest, a subcontractor for the report, determined a property tax levy of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value would be needed. Of that amount, 5 cents would go to capital improvements and the rest would cover maintenance and operations.

Annual tax per year, based on average home values, was estimated to be $66.25 in Ashland, which has the highest average property values, down to $44.44 in Phoenix, which has the lowest values. Taxes in Central Point would be $45.89; Medford, $49.43; Talent, $45.89: and unincorporated areas, $54.66.