Sullivan's Gulch Trail/Bike Park

I am new to this PUMP thing, so please excuse me if i am uneducated about the politics and the behind the scenes magic that takes place in order to provide people like me nice places to ride my MTB.

I have been a portland resident since I was born, some 30 odd years ago. I have been riding bicycles (BMX, trials, MTB, cyclocross, etc...) all over the city, suburbs, and neighboring counties for the past 16 or so years.
I dont own a roadbike, never have, not interested. I rode one 26 miles one day and it was the most miserable boring time on 2 wheels I have ever experienced, forest park being second. (ouch! yes I said it, I find FP kind of boring....sorry!)

I think you all would agree, Portland (being so bike-focused) seriously lacks descent MTB riding. We MTB riders are forced to pack our bikes, say "bye bye" to our families and depart on a full day journey to the Gorge or godknowswhere to get our fix. Spousal approval of such trips decreases as you get older and the number of your offspring increase. As a result, I am forced to poach local singletrack, build secret dirt jumps on private property, and participate in other low-brow bike activities in order to get my fix.
It is relentless, it controls me. Here I am 30 years old and digging out dirt jumps while I glance over my shoulder every few minutes. Pathetic!...but reality. I know there are others like me. Heck, I even have a short skinny track in my backyard.
I am excitied to read about the rumors of some bicycle talk about the I-84 corridor/Sully's gulch, not because it would be another bicycle route for people to commute on, but because the article mentioned "MTB park". My heart lept...an MTB park? here in PORTLAND!? The hipster fixies wont know what hit them!
A skills park, in Portland, I can ride my bike to would be better than a threesome.

Just think of it, drops, doubles, skinnies; getting a good session in before dinner!

I dont know what I can offer to help with this vision becoming solid dirt, but I am willing to help as much as I can. Please keep this thread, or another one updated with progress and what things we, the obsessed MTB rider, can do to help. I am willing to do most anything except beat up an old lady for the deed to her land, I have morals for christs sake!

Thanks
-A

A-

We'll post info about this project as we get it. It is a really exciting proposal for the city and I know your point all too well.

Jordan

I have some news to share on the Sullivan's Gulch project.

Jill VanWinkle and I met with Ted Gilbert and Linda Robinsonon Thursday.  They are the local/neighborhood advocates for this project.  I won't go into the background here other than to say they are working actively on moving this project forward.  There are many pieces to it that I won't cover here.  

They are actively working with ODOT and local/state parks managers to determine the  best fiscal agent to manage the park.  One of ODOT's requirements is that the park be managed by a non-profit.  There have been several ideas thrown around and I'm confident that such an agent will be found. 

 ODOT has laid out a list of requirments for turing the property over to a private entity.  More work needs to be done to get ODOT the required information.  The neighborhood organization was notified on Friday that they received $50k in funding to do the required studies.

The bottom line is that I think there's a good chance of the project being built, but it is going to take some time before we see anything actually happening on the ground. 

 I will provide updates here as I have more information.

Since I don't ride through Portland much, can someone tell me:

Is there a good connection to this area from points East?  I live in Vancouver, but serve as chair of a committee for the City of Gresham.  Our purpose is to help guide the Urban Renewal of the Rockwood district. (http://www.greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/urban-renewal/advisor...)

A current project is to identify and push a 'regional attraction' that would bring attention and consumers to the area.  Since I love biking of all types, and Portland is Mecca to the two-wheeled, human-powered set, I cannot help but gravitate toward the idea of an interconnected trail system, both paved and non-paved.  Events could be held that would bring world-class riders of both ilk...

I am just dreaming out-loud here, but I am in a position that the right people would hear me.  I'm giving an annual report to the executive committee (AKA Gresham City Council with their 'Urban Renewal Commission' hats on)  on Thursday.

Barry

The Springwater Corridor Trail to the I-205 bike path would lead directly to Gateway Green. Or you could take 181st to the I-84 bike path which will also get you to the I-205 bike path and Gateway Green.

Thanks for your interest!

Amy