Fitness Trail

With Frank Sinatra and American standards playing in the background, I begin my week.

I've been on the phone for the last few days trying to generate support for safe walking trails and a building to house exercise equipment. I found out that when large gyms upgrade with new equipment that they often donate to schools or other groups. If a home isn't found, it is taken to the landfill. I think this is an amazing opportunity for Alsea.

With escalating gas prices, it is going to become even more important to be self sufficient. It's 45 minutes to Philomath and Corvallis. It is going to become harder for some to travel into Corvallis to go to a gym or athletic club, if this keeps up. With no end in sight, I decided to try to do something about it. It is worth a try, especially for the children here who do not have a community center or paved trails to ride their bike.

I feel that a trail should be a safe distance from the highway with competing trucks and cars. A wide paved trail along the Alsea River connecting all parks along Highway 34 would make it possible for young people to ride their bikes, skateboard, rollerblade, and at the same time leave room for walkers and runners. The ideal example is Green Lake in Seattle.

In my opinion, a trail is not a trail unless it is at least 10K or longer. With a 10K trail, it would be possible to have yearly Volkswalk events and it would give everyone in Alsea a safe place to walk.

Years ago the Clemens Foundation offered to build a pool for Alsea. It was turned down because of the cost to maintain the pool. A pool would give the children at school the opportunity to compete in swimming plus give the community the opportunity to swim.

If Oregon values rural Oregonians, believes in prevention, health and fitness, help will come. I'm scheduled to meet tomorrow with the Benton County Board of Commissioners. I sincerely hope they will help.

Sam Walton said that his mission was to bring low prices to rural America. Alsea needs a Super Wal-Mart.