Stay the course

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 2017, when they voted to purchase this land and begin work on the trail!

This vision has also had opponents.

As work on the trail began, issues arose with the Land Use Board of Appeals. Rather than addressing them in good faith, Commissioners Berschauer and Starrett voted to scrap the project entirely, which meant losing a 1.7-million-dollar grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

But there is opportunity still available.

The Chehalem Cultural Center is a shining example of what can be done with local fundraising, federal and state grants, charitable foundation grants and local citizen volunteers, though it took 13 years to just complete the first phase. There are new grants from the state and federal government, as well as foundations.

This project is a legacy for future generations who want to enjoy hiking and biking the outdoors, off of our rural highways, and it’s not too late.

Recently, our County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to remove the trail from the county transportation plan, which could lead to its eventual sale. The vote was taken without public notice, a sure indication commissioners knew there would be significant opposition,

In the spirit of future generations, we can’t allow two commissioners to shut this down.

I, along with many of our Yamhill County citizens, urge support of The Yamhelas Trail System. We can’t allow this opportunity for our community and generations to come for safe recreational access for hikers and bikers.

Mary Bonner

Amity