The Forest Park Conservancy's board recently adopted a statement outlining our formal position on expansion of off-road cycling in Forest Park. FPC has been studying the subject in detail for more two years now, having convened the white paper committee in the latter part of 2007 (and published the paper earlier this year). It is a very complex issue, and we have done our best to frame our position with respect to the ongoing work of Portland Parks & Recreation's off-road cycling advisory committee. FPC has representation on this committee and fully supports its work.

The position statement emphasizes that the ecological health of Forest Park is FPC's top priority. And while we fully support the 1995 Forest Park Natural Resource Management Plan (FPNRMP), FPC is concerned that certain management tools (comprehensive wildlife and recreational use surveys, ongoing monitoring of natural resource functioning) identified in the FPNRMP have not been implemented.

FPC is not opposed to improving, and potentially expanding, mountain bike access in Forest Park. As identified in the white paper, FPC believes that there may be short-term opportunities to re-purpose several of the existing firelanes, to increase singletrack mileage and improve the user experience for mountain bikers. At the same time, it is essential that any expansion of the existing recreational footprint - for any sanctioned user group - be met with sufficient investment in resources to manage the new and existing recreational impacts.

FPC believes that expansion of the existing trail system for any sanctioned recreational use (including mountain biking) should be examined within the context of regional opportunities and where Forest Park is concerned only when appropriate levels of funding and other resources have been secured to address the following:

• Education to help minimize conflicts and improve the user experience
  
• Enforcement of existing regulations in Forest Park
• Associated environmental impacts (habitat and wildlife)
• Associated trail maintenance and habitat restoration needs

FPC supports the evolvement of a sustainable, ecologically sensitive recreational trail system within Forest Park that balances and respects the needs of all users, with ultimate consideration given to the ecological health of the resource.