For the third year in a row, Metro is coordinating a regional effort to count the number of people biking and walking on the Portland metropolitan area's trails. The count is part of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project's ongoing undertaking to gather accurate trail use data to help local governments and regional planners decide where and when to place new trails and respond to the needs of trail users region-wide.
Volunteers are critical to the project's success. Those interested in helping out can take part in an hour-long training session, held at locations across the region, where they will learn how to use nationally standardized methods for surveying and data recording in order to ensure consistent responses and more accurate national data. Training locations, dates and contacts are listed below.
Along with determining total trail use, volunteers will survey select users to help develop a better understanding of why people use trails, what types of trails users prefer and total trip distance. By understanding the reasons why people use trails, Metro and other agencies can make more strategic and informed decisions about new trail locations, expansion of existing trails and how to best link current trail systems.
Since 2008, Metro has joined numerous regional partners in coordinating volunteer efforts to ensure the count's success. In addition to Metro, project partners include the Cities of Vancouver, Gresham, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Portland, Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District and Clackamas County.
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project was initiated in 2004 by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Council and Alta Planning + Design, a local firm. The results of the project are used by planners to evaluate the cost effectiveness of trail investments, demand for new trails, and overall trends in trail use. About 100 cities across the country will take part in the counting process.
Local Contacts and Training Dates
Vancouver – Teresa Fernandez, 360-619-1134, [email protected].
Training: Wednesday, Sept.1, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 610 Esther Street, Vancouver.
Clackamas County and North Clackamas Parks & Recreation – Katie Dunham, 503-742-4358, [email protected]
Training: Thursday, Sept. 2, 6 to 7 p.m. at North Clackamas Aquatic Park, 7300 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR.
Beaverton and Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation – Mary O'Donnell, 503-649-4855, [email protected]
Training: Sept. 7, 7 to 8 p.m. at Elsie Stuhr Center Cafeteria, 5550 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton.
Tigard – Duane Roberts, 503-718-2444, [email protected].
Training: Tuesday or Wednesday, Sept. 7 or 8 (attend one), 6 to 7 p.m., City Hall Permit Center, 13125 SW Hall Blvd.
Portland - Stuart Gwin, 503-823-7788, [email protected]
Training: Sept. 9th, 7 to 8 p.m. at the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland.
Hillsboro – Kristi Wilson, 503-615-3479, [email protected].
Training: call for details.
Gresham – Jonathan David, 503-618-2321, [email protected].
Training: call for details
Tualatin – Victoria Eggleston, 503-691-8105, [email protected]
Training: Sept. 9th, 6 to 7 p.m. at Tualatin Council Building, 18880 SW Martinazzi Ave, Tualatin.
Wilsonville – Jeff Owen, (503) 682-0502, [email protected]
Training: call for details
Metro is also working with governments, businesses, nonprofits and other nature lovers to create the Intertwine – network of local parks, trails and natural areas. Partners in The Intertwine have committed to linking these places with homes, jobs and schools to create one of the greatest parks networks in the world.