Trail Tending Shed

A NEW HOME FOR MAZAMA TRAIL TENDING TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

by Jeff Hawkins

Ideas are often born of a confluence of needs. This is one. For approximately two years, I have been working with the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) to reopen the Eagle Creek Trail and, in October 2019, I learned they were looking for a place to store their trail maintenance tools. At the same time, I had been musing about how to get the Mazamas more active in trail work. It seemed like a good opportunity to collaborate and I thought we had enough space to share our trail tending room. Unfortunately, it is more than full of trail tools, climbing wall accessories, and materials for the Portland Alpine Fest. Mitsu, our executive director at that time, asked if we could build a storage building instead, dedicated to trail tools, and share it with PCTA, freeing up the inside room for much needed storage.

The perfect building would have enough space, be secure, provide 24/7 access, have power for lights and to charge radios, allow for storage of chainsaw fuel, and have a nearby faucet for washing tools. About 300 square feet is needed for both sets of tools. Could we do it? It turns out that there are many constraints—zoning restrictions on height and setback from property lines, a conditional use permit on the property requiring 34 parking spaces, required minimums on turn radius within the parking lot, and parking space width. It was also important to protect the trees planted by Dick Pugh in the proposed area. After much study and communication with the City of Portland, I determined it was possible.

Does anyone else want it?

The PCTA has long wanted to collaborate with the Mazamas, and in a few conversations, we worked out a proposal for shared funding in exchange for rent-free storage. The Mazamas Foundation and Executive Council came out in favor of the proposal.

Over a year later, we have a design. It is for a 252 square foot building with a full-length attic. It fits within the space, meets all zoning and conditional-use permit constraints, preserves the trees, and is secure—no windows, cement board siding, and a steel door. There will be electricity, and a water faucet will be nearby. Three parking lot modifications are needed. The two curbs along the planting bed will be moved four feet (east and north), and the five parking spaces on the west end will be narrowed for compact cars. Pedestrian access to the back door of the MMC will be reduced from ten feet wide to five feet wide. Whew! It works, just barely. We had to cut a corner off the proposed shed to maintain sufficient turn radius in the parking lot.

The aspen trees are close to the shed and to preserve them an elevated foundation on piers was designed. Arborists were consulted to confirm the approach and they did, but the arborists also said that the aspens are invasive, and their roots will soon be causing significant damage to the curbs and the parking lot. Cracks are already appearing. The shed can be built with or without removing the trees, but for separate reasons—eliminating future expensive work on the parking lot—it seems wise to remove

Proposed parking lot lighting plan. Proposed interior shed layout.

them. Aspens are also a short-lived species so preserving them for a short future at the cost of the parking lot, does not seem to be the best choice. And while Dick wished for the trees to remain, Executive Council has decided to remove them upon the advice of two arborists and cost estimates of the future repairs. Even if the shed were not built, the aspens need to be replaced with trees approved by the City of Portland Department of Forestry. We are sorry, Dick.

Security lighting is needed for the shed and for the parking lot. This is the perfect opportunity to install the long-desired parking lot lighting when we have things torn up and electrical contractors on site.

Honoring a friend.

We all love Ray Sheldon and know how much he has done for the Mazamas, especially as a climb leader and leader of trail tending. Did you also know it was his initiative and drive that created the Mazama Trail on Mt. Hood? If you do not know this story, watch for an article on it in the May edition of the Bulletin. It seemed fitting that we name the shed in honor of Ray. Tom Davidson suggested The Sheldon Shed. However, for those of you who know Ray you would also not be surprised that when this idea was raised with Ray, he demurred, and instead said the he would prefer if a call went out to the membership to name the shed. Look for more information on naming soon.

Want to help?

There are two ways to help—funding and construction. The building cost is $33,000 and the lighting cost is $7300. PCTA donors provided $13,000 for the shed. Mazamas need to fund the $27,600 balance. With $16,000 already donated, we need to raise $11,600 ($4300 for the shed and $7300 for the lights). If you want to support the project, please consider contributions to the general fund as the priority. Donate to it first and to the shed/lighting project second.

Statewide rules require that electrical work be performed by licensed electricians. Other than that, we are free to do our own work, and plan to. We need people with experience in concrete, framing, roofing, and painting. We also have a lot of hand digging to do. Not everyone needs to be an expert because we are fortunate to have many talented and experienced people within the membership. Work parties will be arranged for weekends and weekdays. Crew sizes will be limited to 3–5 people, depending on the activity because the worksite is small. The city’s permit approval process is currently quite slow as are many things during COVID. We expect to receive a permit in July. Construction will be in September and October. Let us know if you are interested and we will contact you. If interested in supporting this project, you can send donations directly to the Mazamas or donate online at mazamas.org/donat. You can share your interest to help build by contacting Kelsey Shaw (Kelsey@ mazamas.org), Rick Craycraft (Facilities@mazamas.org), or me (jeff. hawkins.pdx@gmail.com)