Goal 5. Construction and maintenance of a public trail segment through the oak savannah that connects Corvallis City Parks on the east to OSU Research Forests on the north.

An access trail has been constructed from Corvallis City Park property near the SW corner of the project area, to a juncture with the established OSU Research Forests and Chip Ross Park trail network.  The trail is shown below in context to existing trails and historical farm roads and hiking trails; which are still clearly visible, particularly in the meadow areas.  The photo was taken on March 31, 2005 by John Luna.

Trail construction plans were already determined by the time this vegetation plan was authorized.  It was necessary to get a final alignment roughed in during site preparation activities in order to plant bulbs and seed in their proper locations, and also to guide public users of the area (dozens or hundreds) to travel on routes that had not been planted with native seeds or bulbs.

Camas and Washington lily bulbs were planted at trailheads for three reasons: 1) as a screen that can effectively reduce weed infestations at key points because of the need to hand cultivate bulbs from time to time; 2) as a clear (and aesthetically pleasing) signal to trail users that they were entering or leaving private property, and 3) because these were natural bulb habitat areas to begin with, as evidenced by nearby relict camas, chocolate lily, and brodiaea plants.

The trail ends at the rocked road, which was inadvertently extended into the oak savannah area.  John Stewart has suggested removing the rock and restoring the topography of the savannah to pre-roadbuilding slopes.  Another idea would be to keep the rock in place for broadcast burns, planting, spraying, or other management actions, and as a place to stage classroom field trips or community events, such as bird watching or camas bakes.  The rocked area would reduce impacts when large numbers of people are present at the same time, and would be suitable for development, such as picnic tables, animal feeders, or firepits.

Current recommendations:

1) Add at least three culverts secured with six-inch minus crushed rock, cover entire bed with six-foot wide matting, and surface trail with 1/4-inch minus crushed rock. 

2) Post basic weatherproof 8 1/2" x 11" signs at road access and trailheads with large words and simple messages: "Private Property.  Please Stay on Trail."  "Wildlife Habitat Reserve.  Please Keep Pets on Leash."  "Fire Danger.  No Smoking."  "Caution.  Herbicides Being Used."  Post (and regularly re-post) "Private Property/Keep on Trail" with large directional arrow signs at all trespass and shortcut locations.  Staple to stakes posted knee high in clearly visible locations in the middle of such unwanted trails.

3) Add additional wildlife details at entries to inform visitors about bluebird, butterfly, gray squirrel, and sharp-tailed snake populations.  Information could also be made available regarding herbicides being used, and other topics of interest.