The hardworking Yachats Trails Committee hits the dirt again this weekend to improve a pathway to the popular 804 Trail.
On Friday and Saturday, an all-volunteer squad will lay down weed cloth and gravel on the southern fenced “chute” leading from Aqua Vista Loop past several private homes to the 804 Trail. The city of Yachats previously fenced another path from Aqua Vista to the north.
“The 804 crosses private property in that area, and it’s through the generosity of the property owners that the trail is contiguous,” said Bob Langley, organizer of the project.
Measuring some 300 feet by eight feet, the path gets muddy and potentially dangerous during wet winter months, spurring the makeover.
“There will be heavy machinery in use and people working on the trail,” said Langley, and “at times a large pile of gravel may restrict road travel to only one lane.” He added that there will be a “safe path” from Marine Drive to the northern access trail, which will remain open.
Committee members will be placing notices on about 60 residences along Aqua Vista Loop to alert them to the work.
“We realize there will be a bit of disruption, but we appreciate the patience of homeowners and the public,” Langley said.
As is usual when trails volunteers conduct cleanup and improvement work, the city’s Public Works department will remove brush and refuse.
Funding totaling some $5,100 came from View The Future, a local non-profit dedicated to preserving the environment, the Oregon Parks Foundation and Oregon Community Foundation, and the trails committee’s budget. Volunteer time value is estimated at another $4,000, Langley said.
Questions about the project or other trails committee work can be emailed to YachatsTrails@gmail.com.
— Cheryl Romano/YachatsNews.com
