Wheeler leaders and residents push Port for rail-with-trail plan as Salmonberry Trail realignment raises property concerns

WHEELER, Ore. — Residents of Marine Drive told the Wheeler City Council on Aug. 19 they were surprised and alarmed after receiving letters from the Port of Tillamook Bay saying portions of the proposed Salmonberry Trail alignment may encroach on private yards and parking, and that parking to remain in the railroad right-of-way would need a use agreement or easement.

Councilors and residents said they had not been given prior notice of the trail realignment and asked the city to investigate what the port has communicated to property owners and whether the city’s lease or local responsibilities were affected.

The issue drew additional attention after a presentation by Trevor Park, general manager of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, who urged communities along the corridor to back a “rails-with-trail” approach that preserves train service while accommodating a trail alongside the track. Park said the railroad carried about 55,000 riders in 2024 and estimated its economic impact in Tillamook County last year at nearly $6 million; he said 2025 ridership is up about 24 percent so far.

“OSCR supports the trail. We want the trail built,” Park said in his presentation, and he urged residents to contact the Port of Tillamook Bay and to attend the port’s board meeting on Aug. 27. He provided the port contact email (info@potb.org) and asked Wheeler to write a letter supporting a rails-with-trail outcome.

Residents who live on the waterfront said the proposed alignment could require fences to be moved, removal of trees and loss of business parking. Ken Painter, a property owner at 600 Marine Drive, read portions of the port’s letter aloud and said his fence and parking appear to fall a few feet inside the railroad right-of-way. “All of a sudden because of the realignment they want me to get a lease for parking,” he said.

Councilors said they had learned of the port’s renewed communications only recently. Councilor Karen Matthews said the Salmonberry Trail Foundation had long envisioned a rails-with-trail solution and that the new notices to property owners were recent developments. Council members asked city staff to gather more details about the port’s notices, the number of affected properties, the timing of any required changes, and the scope of the city’s lease of port property.

During the meeting the council agreed to prepare a letter of support for the railroad’s continued…