Dollar Mountain Update
The Dollar Mountain Trail Park is making progress, even in a year of unprecedented challenges. The City of Grants Pass purchased the property in 2019 and has planned on developing a network of mountain biking and hiking trails.
For years, the City of Grants Pass has planned to build a parking lot for the Dollar Mountain trailhead. Trail users who have parked on the shoulder of Crescent Drive to access the popular trail will soon be able to park in a lighted lot.
“We’re excited about the lot because it’s a domino that shows how this trail park can be built,” said Chad Thorson, RVMBA’s representative on the Dollar Mountain project team. “Step one is getting people safely to the trailhead. Now we can focus on rehabbing the existing trail and building a sample of what can become an epic trail system.”
The Regional Advisory Committee recommended that Bureau of Land Management Title II funding be allocated for the construction of the Crescent Parking Lot. This means that the $80,000 of city funding that was earmarked for its construction could go toward other trail projects on Dollar Mountain.
Parks Superintendent Wendy Giordano, who leads the city’s effort to develop the trail park shared her optimism. “In a challenging year for the city budget, this is a big win.” She added, “Having community support for this project is incredibly important. It helped secure funding for the parking lot and is absolutely necessary for the project to gain momentum.”
Grants Pass city council prioritized the development of the Dollar Mountain trail park in its 2020 & 2021 planning session. Funding has been set aside for trail development. However, during a November city council session, city leaders were locked in a 3:3 tie on whether or not to approve funding for a pilot trail project. Council will revisit the decision in early February.
Phase 1 will improve the existing 1 mile Historic Trail, add a trail to the future Hagland Parking Lot and add 2 new options down to the new Crescent Lot going in soon! Now is the time to write the Mayor and Council to let them know you support Dollar Mountain Trails! Let them know if you live outside the area and plan to come enjoy the trails and check out our restaurants, breweries, and hotels. Hotel taxes help fund parks and projects!
Want to see trails built on Dollar Mountain?
Write the Mayor and contact Grants Pass city councilors to let them know you support Dollar Mountain Trails!
