[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6062420,"mediaKeyId","3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8","parentId",3278501,"title","Commission outlines low-cost steps to open an 'Urban Trail' — kiosks, QR codes, painted markers and volunteer labor","audioSeconds",143,"startMs",2183000,"endMs",2326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8&start=2183&end=2326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8/thumbnail_2183000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062420/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-outlines-low-cost-steps-to-open-an-Urban-Trail-kiosks-QR-codes-painted-markers-and-volunteer-labor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062420-1fc03e8fa087b044a6e03c3e01822b86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156392&Signature=ROVsdx4mz7viLe2myzkZBj0kCd0P0k0-5~a5tfSQjNVmBCG4bakFEUCXaPte05qu~K8iTvczDJCnEBL1tcjdOwW3qqO1mZhA1Dc89XcuDIKUl7vUdyz7Nb4WoeGdVHatcv-AtF2v57a4xQUd6bYcQimhCR3Rsl68FpgJZk0rKwBc5Ccm3Rt400VSQ9y2NOzIEIu0Uofcg9reMo2GTk4Se7Db~QbJa7eKCf8s~Ctm7A-JTMUtw4tRLohrQ0wEo0jTol7lXMc005EtUCw6Cs9lxvdR-3Uf3rY9lxgJi9aS1xXFpWSe76kS7BS1H1cpU1RQuTen3DnuCkahP8Oy4QBvSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-05-12T22:55:10Z","article","Members of the Parks & Trails Commission discussed next steps to formally mark a St. Helens Urban Trail that links five parks and the historic riverfront, emphasizing low-cost, volunteer-driven measures to create an immediately walkable route.

Commissioner Jerry described the plan: install a kiosk with a map and QR code at the new park, paint a trail logo on sidewalks and asphalt, and place a small number of concrete logo pads at key locations. Jerry said volunteers and city staff had offered materials and labor — “we actually went and marked on the trail where there would be these concrete slabs Squares,” he said — and he asked staff to seek formal approval to proceed.

Commissioners discussed responsibilities and costs. Jerry and other volunteers offered to donate concrete and to make laser-cut logos for the pads; parks staff discussed providing paint and access to a road-marking machine but cautioned about equipment cost and cleanup. Commissioners agreed on a minimal initial rollout rather than the larger historic plan: use kiosks and a handful of markers to establish the route, then expand later.

Commission members also discussed practical issues: confirming whether segments are open to pedestrians (some sections are currently closed or under construction), coordinating with engineering and planning to ensure markings are accurate and safe, and confirming that any concrete pads or painted logos do not conflict with planned construction or public works work. Commissioners agreed that staff (Buck) and engineering should review the proposed locations and that volunteers would help with installation once approvals are in place.

No formal motion to fund or construct the trail was passed at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to review the minimal marker plan, confirm any needed permits or approvals and return with a recommended list of initial kiosk/marker locations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks & Trails Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed launching a St. Helens Urban Trail connecting five parks using a mix of kiosks, QR-code maps, painted wayfinding and volunteer-installed concrete logo pads; commissioners proposed starting with a minimal implementation and expanding later.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062425,"Commission urges council to consider added parks maintenance staff for riverfront landscaping; names a representative for budget meeting",257,2545000,2802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8&start=2545&end=2802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8/thumbnail_2545000.jpg","/articles/6062425/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-urges-council-to-consider-added-parks-maintenance-staff-for-riverfront-landscaping-names-a-representative-for-budget-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062425-49ed2197fe49a3d7594a48e0350973c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156392&Signature=az60LgrPD1zJLDIeKpJ8I89bTbE-m4gqHJNMbiNjIbA8LkkC5DEMIy8omBec3sIwfFh3FmzyPGJXDfFT9gwf21XnAC8bmC5uZvW2E~jVmc9c0LDiyuDgIrVniPBTXjJdYH6Rp35WXyX9C27MLIgOGBlCDiyXWLXWjjoK9EbkdlQ9XKNOayI9S4g7kqfkO~UiJGvZjYI37pgL4rBa~LKwJlTHkUXpZLrxb3jlPTv2kiqD~bHSkqVfR1iTinCoJlKN8XF0XBco5KvRpcMDvR~haZiw9lngdoG7aSae4V91drp2l6k~NXdHGTAwADY2x-zcqo-lyr4SiO-xuL5bjMQubw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission voted to ask City Council to consider whether parks staffing is sufficient to maintain newly installed riverfront plantings and landscaping, warning that inadequate maintenance could undermine the city’s investment.

Commissioner Jerry moved that “the parks and trails make [City] Council aware that parks can't maintain the new plantings on the riverfront with current staffing.” The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners discussed that the riverfront project has added significant landscape and irrigation work; Jerry said, “everything we add has to be kept up and maintained,” and several commissioners said the parks department lacks the staff to manage the new workload.

Commissioners recommended Council consider staffing needs before approving additional projects and to weigh maintenance costs in future project approvals. The commission asked staff to make the council aware of maintenance implications for riverfront plantings and to factor staffing into project planning.

Following the motion the commission voted to send a representative to the budget committee meeting; commissioners selected Nick (last name not given) to speak on behalf of the Parks & Trails Commission at the budget meeting scheduled for Thursday (commissioners referenced the upcoming budget meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m.). The commission emphasized they intended to put the concern on the record for council consideration; multiple commissioners acknowledged the city faces general-fund pressures and that restoring positions would be difficult but said the commission wanted council to be explicitly aware of maintenance risks and costs.

The commission recorded the motion and asked staff to pass the recommendation to council and to provide any relevant maintenance cost estimates or examples (commissioners gave the Highway 30 landscaping as an example of installations that later suffered from lack of upkeep).","St. Helens Parks & Trails Commissioners voted to ask City Council to consider additional parks maintenance staff to maintain newly installed riverfront plantings and landscaping; the commission also designated a representative to speak at the council budget hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062430,"Commission previewed a digital parks-assessment form to replace paper surveys and centralize park condition data",814,2082000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8&start=2082&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8/thumbnail_2082000.jpg","/articles/6062430/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commission-previewed-a-digital-parks-assessment-form-to-replace-paper-surveys-and-centralize-park-condition-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062430-214f9da8a83676f6b097f22a3c6d8840/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156392&Signature=E4oCdwyz16P1fBTBTFZPl3OrH0lLCSu82k8PopnkUrOSuFH-6H~7EMoHz8J6rlURmLCMNkFWOEbO1RPtGyfcJuKm6q4DZV~ZVamKuI1Ss1SOm70M-wT0bHLy2XUK8CvV-m4mzz8Wv1XmX~7gKL7q5A-Y~ijYHjuJVM1gfB4EjwhZrcnBosQbdtwp7Hbp~nJuv5rwbdNKO0FiOYQksDkahniQtQuDt3FKlNGKCQV1FhayOsVNVCmzLbV1wc4tYBp1wc5dHYSeOEJS0m9Cdwdcg6rXixwPpXvr3fdPPtJ3Q5xQDqAJ4XHP2iDtSIAzdiUHpPNm64-XnIpiPIalveua5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A staff presenter showed St. Helens Parks & Trails Commissioners a digital parks-assessment form designed to replace the commission’s paper checklist and create a timestamped database of park observations, photos and condition ratings.

The presenter said the form will ‘‘keep all of the information collected, and it’ll keep it time stamped,’’ and demonstrated mandatory fields for park name, visit time, observed patron counts and condition ratings for cleanliness, safety and amenities. The presenter described options for attaching photos, adding free-text notes where maintenance is required and exporting the collected data for long-term analysis.

Commissioners discussed a pilot plan where each commissioner would be assigned one or more parks for a three-month rotation and asked to make at least one monthly submission during their assignment. The presenter said the software can be run on Office 365, can generate QR codes for public access, and that IT review is needed before a public rollout. Commissioners and staff discussed limiting public submissions to prevent duplicate or malicious entries; the presenter said she would check whether the tool can be restricted by email or to an internal user list while the commission piloted it.

Advocates of the digital tool argued the system will increase the volume and timeliness of park condition data available for planning and for a future master plan — the presenter noted the last plan’s public survey had only about 211 responses and only 85 respondents reported visiting parks, and said a steady, commission-driven data stream would produce richer, actionable metrics. Commissioners asked about next steps: the presenter said she could finalize a pilot version quickly and would coordinate with Buck and IT staff to host the data and manage notifications.

Commissioners asked for training and asked staff to report back with an implementation timeline and an initial list of park assignments. The commission did not vote on launching a public version during the meeting; presenters recommended piloting the tool internally first and later sharing a scaled-down public link in city communications and newsletters.","Commissioners reviewed a new digital parks-assessment form and a proposed rotation of commissioners to submit monthly observations for assigned parks; the presenter said the system will timestamp entries, accept photos and export data for master-plan analysis.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062435,"Port officials indicate land available for Milton Creek reserve; commission readies joint meeting with city",693,786000,1479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8&start=786&end=1479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3278501-d44b43523b590e0ede0cb6313f2c30a8/thumbnail_786000.jpg","/articles/6062435/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Port-officials-indicate-land-available-for-Milton-Creek-reserve-commission-readies-joint-meeting-with-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062435-ce240990bbb58fa05ce9b08ad08bad4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156392&Signature=cd5-Xq6s~5iryKKaPuCoOjCnROeRaMdoqct8Pr6~G1Lc85EdnHWaaB0Zf8ZwUFsdujT-ayMn-088ABW3u3OIdl2NQaSWC-vgWmq9b9Fy74LYiKEc9tyim9zLmNdt~Q~EHs2rrzyl3ATEGCOzr~xUTlsQlHmk5hVVbxir5ZFYTc3CIaXrNo9qBPhkmM7Wwkv3dUslpmFcED-qml9EcyEh2etKZLkC8NvDkHMjWddt3HqKK27PoZlDhb6ZrwyazaqiH8UwEfPtaCLX0vis-OnpZrdDmmio6GstrVrPRwLgvJzAu2QVIV-jIPx4UdslYrTWSEqbDMEMnjgH~Dbh7umj1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Helens Parks & Trails Commissioners said Port of Columbia County officials are open to letting the city use part of port-owned property to establish a Milton Creek reserve and trail, following a site visit and talks intended to narrow the area and next steps.

Commissioner Scott (first name not specified) told the commission that, after meetings with Port representatives, “they're actually looking to donate some of the land, for the reserve and trail,” and that the port’s executive director would serve as the port’s point of contact. Commissioner Jerry (last name not given) said the port identified several potential sites and is “happy to let us utilize that” property but stressed the project would require surveying and review of riparian setbacks.

The matter matters locally because the commission, the port and city must clarify ownership, zoning and environmental limits before building a trail. Jerry reminded the group that the City Council voted in December to establish a reserve in concept; the current work is to define the reserve’s boundaries and any needed zoning changes.

Commissioners listed follow-ups: meet with city staff (including John and Jacob, named in the meeting) and the port to align on a preferred parcel; survey the high-water mark and riparian setbacks (commissioners referenced a “100-foot setback” from the high-water mark); and discuss whether the port will retain title and grant a use agreement or convey land to the city. Jerry and Scott said they walked the port property to identify parts that could be developed without encroaching on riparian zone buffers. Jerry also noted the Bailey Bridge and an existing railroad bridge as possible access points and said the port was amenable to pedestrian use of the Bailey Bridge provided it is stable for foot traffic.

Commissioners agreed to use an upcoming joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council on Wednesday, June 11, and the commission’s meeting on June 9 as the forum to press for clearer direction and to request that the city define the reserve and confirm whether a zoning change will be required. Scott told the commission the next step likely includes the city, the port and parks representatives meeting to draft a defined area for the reserve and to confirm legal/engineering constraints such as the high-water mark and riparian zones.

Commissioners and port staff also flagged biological constraints: Commission member Lucas reported finding species on the port property that are “only in a couple places in Oregon,” a point the port noted but asked commissioners to document clearly. No formal action or commitment to convey property was recorded at the meeting; commissioners described the port’s responses as preliminary interest and direction to continue planning.

The commission asked staff to prepare a packet for the June joint meeting that explains the reserve concept, identifies potential parcels, summarizes environmental constraints (notably the riparian setback), and lists the questions for port/city decisionmakers.","St. Helens Parks & Trails Commissioners reported a productive meeting with Port of Columbia County staff about the Milton Creek reserve and potential trail, and agreed to raise the topic at a joint Planning Commission–City Council meeting in June to define boundaries, zoning and next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission outlines low-cost steps to open an 'Urban Trail' — kiosks, QR codes, painted markers and volunteer labor

Commission urges council to consider added parks maintenance staff for riverfront landscaping; names a representative for budget meeting

Commission previewed a digital parks-assessment form to replace paper surveys and centralize park condition data

Port officials indicate land available for Milton Creek reserve; commission readies joint meeting with city