By Michelle Jenck
I appreciate the voices weighing in on the future of the 82-mile railroad corridor that runs between the Port of Tillamook Bay and Banks, Oregon. As a health and wellness professional, I am in favor of anything that gets us off our butts and screens and out into the community doing something socially and physically active. Both the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad and the Salmonberry Trail offer such benefits.
The scenic railroad operations account for a small portion of the 82 miles that could be developed into a trail in ways that offer tremendous public health and economic returns. For those who feel that removing railroad tracks or ties is erasing the history of the railroad, I offer some alternate viewpoints.
History is not in things. It is in knowledge, lived and shared experiences that are passed down from one generation to another. I am living proof. My father contributed to an historical reflection based on his childhood memories and historical accounts of the Whitney Lumber Company, a book you can find at the Tillamook Pioneer Museum. I read that book on a flight to Europe and shared all about what I learned with a man from Holland who was fascinated by the giant trees and the brave souls who worked the land in such harsh conditions.
There are many ways to preserve history. We can (and will) have trailheads, informational signage, and kiosks along the Salmonberry Trail that illustrate the rich history and fortitude of the region’s early settlers. As a user of similar trails throughout the country, I have learned a lot about the places we visit from such initiatives.
The staff and volunteers behind the Salmonberry Trail are committed to honoring and supporting local communities, their values and priorities.