News & Events

November 14, 2025 The Yamhelas Westsider Trail, a 17-mile foot and bike trail over a long-shuttered Union Pacific rail line, would connect three small towns along Highway 47 from an eastern terminus near McMinnville. The right-of-way was purchased by Yamhill County in 2017. The trail would eventually link up with the popular Banks-Vernonia State Trail and connect Gaston to Forest Grove, providing pedestrian access to Henry Hagg Lake. What vision our commissioners had back in

February 24, 2022 Jeff Knapp  Executive Director Visit McMinnville To Whom It May Concern: Visit McMinnville enthusiastically supports the completion of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. Completion of this important project will connect the county’s recreation assets, will create a new visitor draw that will also serve our community’s families, and support the expanding recreation needs of our growing workforce. Research completed by Travel Oregon in 2015 shows that cyclists who

Oct. 10, 2025 Two of our county commissioners have chosen to eliminate the Yamhelas Westsider Trail from the county’s official transportation projects list. This would be shortsighted and counterproductive to the economic growth of Yamhill County. The Lafayette to Gaston trail has faced opposition from hazelnut growers fearing increased crime. The two commissioners seem to be in their pocket. I’ve ridden many trails in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia without s