Bear Creek Greenway
Encyclopedia
The Bear Creek Greenway is a 19 miles (30.6 km) biking/hiking path that, when complete, will extend from Central Point
to Ashland
. It roughly parallels Bear Creek, a tributary of the Rogue River
. The Greenway is divided into two lanes for bi-directional traffic, and is inaccessible to motor vehicle
s (except for county maintenance).
-only path in the Medford
-area may have been discussed as early as 1899, when bicycles were increasing in popularity
. Jackson County
even collected $500 from a special tax
on bicycles that year for construction of a path,
but somehow the project vaporized. In 1973, former representative
Al Densmore presented a bill to the state legislature which led to the Oregon Department of Transportation
building 3.4 miles (5.5 km) of the Greenway that year.
Funding for the Bear Creek Greenway has come in spurts since then,
causing construction to take place sporadically for the past 36 years. One source stated that even before Interstate 5
was built through the area a "Greenway Movement" was forming amongst supporters who desired "a chain of parks
from Ashland to Rogue River
connected by a trail". When Densmore presented his bill, Jackson County began a land acquisition program which resulted in segments being completed in 1973 (the first one), 1980, 1995, and 1998.
As of 2009, the Bear Creek Greenway consists of two segments. The north segment is 6 miles (9.7 km) long and follows Interstate 5 from Exit 33 to Exit 27, and the south segment runs from Exit 27 to about a mile north of Exit 14. Presently, the only barriers are due to the South Medford Interchange Project
and Barnett Road.
Planning difficulties delayed choosing an appropriate method to connect the segments until January 8, 2009 when a $2.2 million pedestrian overpass
was selected from a list of seven options. Further concerns about fluctuating budget
s may delay issuing a contract
for the job until fall 2009, with construction beginning first quarter 2010. Until the overpass is completed, bicyclists
and joggers
using the path continue to cross traffic
at Barnett Road.
Central Point, Oregon
Central Point is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 17,165 as of July 1, 2009 The city shares its southern border with Medford and is a part of the Medford metropolitan area...
to Ashland
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, near Interstate 5 and the California border, and located in the south end of the Rogue Valley. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other...
. It roughly parallels Bear Creek, a tributary of the Rogue River
Rogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
. The Greenway is divided into two lanes for bi-directional traffic, and is inaccessible to motor vehicle
Motor vehicle
A motor vehicle or road vehicle is a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not operate on rails, such as trains or trolleys. The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually by an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid...
s (except for county maintenance).
History
An exclusive bicycleBicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
-only path in the Medford
Medford, Oregon
Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a total population of 74,907 and a metropolitan area population of 207,010, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon...
-area may have been discussed as early as 1899, when bicycles were increasing in popularity
Bike boom
Bike boom or bicycle craze refers to several different times when, for a period of a few years, many people in many parts of Europe and North America wanted to buy and ride a bicycle. In brief, they occurred in 1819, 1868, the decade of the 1890s, and the 1970s...
. Jackson County
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
even collected $500 from a special tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
on bicycles that year for construction of a path,
but somehow the project vaporized. In 1973, former representative
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
Al Densmore presented a bill to the state legislature which led to the Oregon Department of Transportation
Oregon Department of Transportation
The Oregon Department of Transportation is a department of the state government of the U.S. state of Oregon responsible for systems of transportation. It was first established in 1969. It had been preceded by the Oregon State Highway Department which, along with the Oregon State Highway...
building 3.4 miles (5.5 km) of the Greenway that year.
Funding for the Bear Creek Greenway has come in spurts since then,
causing construction to take place sporadically for the past 36 years. One source stated that even before Interstate 5
Interstate 5 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, Interstate 5 traverses the state from north to south, passing through the major cities of Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Medford.-Route description:...
was built through the area a "Greenway Movement" was forming amongst supporters who desired "a chain of parks
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
from Ashland to Rogue River
Rogue River, Oregon
Rogue River is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,131.-History:The settlement was known as Woodville for many years, but was changed to Rogue River about 1912...
connected by a trail". When Densmore presented his bill, Jackson County began a land acquisition program which resulted in segments being completed in 1973 (the first one), 1980, 1995, and 1998.
As of 2009, the Bear Creek Greenway consists of two segments. The north segment is 6 miles (9.7 km) long and follows Interstate 5 from Exit 33 to Exit 27, and the south segment runs from Exit 27 to about a mile north of Exit 14. Presently, the only barriers are due to the South Medford Interchange Project
and Barnett Road.
Planning difficulties delayed choosing an appropriate method to connect the segments until January 8, 2009 when a $2.2 million pedestrian overpass
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
was selected from a list of seven options. Further concerns about fluctuating budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
s may delay issuing a contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
for the job until fall 2009, with construction beginning first quarter 2010. Until the overpass is completed, bicyclists
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
and joggers
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
using the path continue to cross traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
at Barnett Road.