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By Robin Swain
The City of Rockaway Beach is once again, being the model to follow.
City Manager Luke Shepard and the City Hall staff have been diligently applying for and receiving grants to improve the community of Rockaway Beach.
Being the first city in Tillamook County to fully implement a segment of the Salmonberry Trail Project, citizen input is crucial. There have been several presentations, discussions and listening engagements with Project Manager Jon-Paul Bowles.
“Just about 200 people have filled out the online feedback form. For a town of around 1,400, we’re really happy with the response rate. We’re still accepting feedback on the path, so we’ll update the data once it’s closed. We still want to hear from the community. That said, we’re seeing trends emerge,” reported Jon-Paul Bowles, Principal of Destination Management Advisors.
The city contracted DMA to support the path project starting in February. The report and findings will be shared publicly following the Rockaway Beach City Council meeting in August.
He continued, “For example, we asked people to rank the importance of the design considerations so that my team’s recommendations directly reflect what we’re hearing from the community. The path needs to anticipate long-term growth. That’s far and away the #1 priority, followed by creating economic opportunity and reducing vehicle congestion.
We also asked folks to rank the potential alignments through downtown Rockaway Beach. Alignment #4, which would divert pedestrians to the sidewalk east of US 101 and create a new cycling-only section of path between S 3rd and N 3rd has the most first place votes.
Alignment #1, which would displace some of the angled parking downtown has the second most #1 vote but was also ranked as the least favorable. That split reflects different perspectives on what it looks like for the city to anticipate long-term growth. It’s a really positive conversation.
We’re also seeing that Alignment 3, which would use part of Pacific St, is a clear second choice for most, and has the fewest last place votes. It’s the least controversial but also has half the amount of first place votes as the straight path (#1) and the split path (#4). It has potential, but fits better as a potential future phase. I think Mayor McNeilly summed it up well by saying it’s something to explore in the future but not to hinge this path on at this stage.
There are deeper, important and engaging conversations that can be built off what we’ve heard in the past few months. The biggest challenge for the DMA team has been staying focused on the path. There are so many implications and opportunities related to this project that conversations naturally touch on other big issues like parking, zoning, tourism and more. The best part is that Rockaways leadership and staff are incredibly engaged and committed to transparency. Rockaway Beach is grappling with tourism and population growth, just like a lot of Oregon’s most beautiful rural communities. But it has the unique advantage of open dialogue between elected officials, public servants, and the community.
We’re glad to have been invited into this work. DMA’s purpose is to amplify local voices, help bring federal and state resources to rural communities, and connect people with each other and nature. I can’t imagine a better place and project.
The advanced planning and design work that’s kicking off next is funded by a significant ODOT grant using federal transportation dollars. The formula is working. More resources are coming to Rockaway because of its smart approach. The community’s voice is front and center. The path will help maintain the connections that have defined this place for generations. Connects that can be hard to maintain with so much growth.
The new path will help Rockaway keep its history of strong connections to nature and community in place. It’s a contemporary concept that is being designed to keep the connective tissue that this community has always valued in place – and anticipates long-term growth.”
Several citizens asked: who would maintain the path? Who would be responsible for sanitation? All will be part of future discussions.
The survey link is still active. The City, Mayor and Council encourage citizens, second home owners and guests to please spare a few minutes to take this survey. Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ZEctfUuzPJida9sy9
