Trail Users?

November 23, 2025

Who will be using the Yamhelas Westsider Trail, the YWT?  For over 13 years of planning there have been public meetings, summer festival information booths and even a professional survey to gage how the community is thinking regarding the YWT.  A frequent concern is who we will be using the trail. That topic is almost always brought up by someone who is in a degree of opposition to the trail.  The assumption seems to be that we will be invaded by people from Portland and everywhere else and the inference them being a problem. There definitely will be people coming from outside our community, but based on my experience riding, running and walking trails here and beyond was that the majority of trail users would be local and older. Studies show that to be correct.

America now has more than 42,000 miles of safe, multiuse trails---which serve as the foundation of hundreds of connected trail systems being built from coast to coast. I looked at studies conducted in 7 states: Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Utah and Oregon( the Intertwine in Portland Metro). Except for Oregon, these states included multiple trails, sometimes up to 9, in their studies. The upper Mid West States were chosen because they have strong farm economies and they also are the states with the most trails in the country; Wisconsin (1) with 133 trails covering 2100 miles, Michigan (2) is right behind with 131 trails and 1398 miles.

Now, where do the trail users come from?  It was pointed out on several studies that the length of the trail influence that; to tourists, trails are biking trails so they tend to choice longer trail whereas to locals they are more multiple-use trails with walking, 4 – 5 miles, most popular. The YWT would be considered a shorter trail, especially in it's early phase. The distance between Carlton & Yamhill times 2 will be right at 5 miles. All of the studies and all of the trails in the studies showed local use to be dominant.

When referring to “local users” the studies defined that as within the county.  Age is an important factor in who uses trails. The studies showed that the average age of trail users fall in the mid 40's; far above the National crime rate peak of 24 to 29. Pennsylvania broke it down even more: 36-45 =12.4%,  46-55+18.4%,  56-55+29.4% and 66 & above 28.2% . That comes to 88.4%; not a demographic that is out to cause trouble; you factor in families with children under 10 years, you have an even higher statistic and you have the national crime rate groups least apt to commit a crime.

It should be noted that there are other studies show that crime in general diminishes to pretty much zero as you go from urban to suburban to rural trails. Any crime rates given are also less than in the general population of the community.

In conclusion:  The people using the YWT will be for the most part, people from your own community and there reasons for being there: recreation, health fitness, nature, socializing, commuting and the like.

My final note is that there is not an issue that this trail might encounter that hasn't been addressed and resolved many times with trails throughout the country. First up; get a master plan with in depth community input and build to their vision and needs.

Wayne Wiebke, President FYWT

McMinnville, OR