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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2017)
in case you missed it september21 2017 County Commissioners Dedicate Plaque to Oregon Equestrian Trails for Work at Camp Wilkerson Group built horse corrals, camp sites, trails at county’s largest park The Columbia County Board of Commissioners honored members of the Columbia County Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails (OET) for their dedi- cation in building a horse camp at the county-owned Camp Wilkerson as well as many other projects throughout the county. On Wednesday, September 20 the Commissioners unveiled a plaque at the horse camp in the park. The area has six pull-through sites, some of which can accommodate two motor homes or campers, each with corrals that can hold four horses. Each site also has a picnic table and a fire ring, along with pota- ble water spigots. An ADA-compliant mounting ramp, built with funds provid- ed by the Leslie G. Ehmann Trust, is also located in the horse camp area as well as a 24’ x 24’ shelter for group interaction. OET provided much of the funding for materials as well as labor to build out the area. “This plaque is a symbol of the county’s appreciation for our local chap- ter of Oregon Equestrian Trails for their work in designing, funding and building much of the horse camp area,” said Co- lumbia County Commission Chair Hen- ry Heimuller. “Columbia County resi- dents love to ride horses, so I am happy they have a place where they and their beloved animals can relax and spend time outdoors.” At 280 acres, Camp Wilkerson is the county’s largest park, with more than 13 miles of trails. In addition to the horse camp, it hosts 25 three-sided camp shelters referred to as Adirondak camps, ten tent sites, two dry RV sites, three rustic two-room cabins and a day lodge complete with cooking facilities to accommodate groups of up to 250 peo- ple. Camp Wilkerson is located 16 miles northwest of Scappoose on Apiary Road. Trail users can travel on either forest roads or the single-track 3.5 mile Liahona Trail that loops through the park and crosses bridges over Oak Ranch Creek. Wider forest roads bring riders on five, seven or 10-mile loops. Other than when trails run near Apiary Road, the remote pathways and roads lead through the park’s dense ev- ergreen and hardwood temperate for- est. Camp Wilkerson is considered one of the county’s most quiet and secluded areas. All trails are considered easy to moderate for hikers and are marked with wooden signs embellished with horse- shoes and arrows indicating turns. According to Rory Hammond, former OET president, the group chose Camp Wilkerson because of its size and seclusion. “There were no horse camps in the county,” Hammond said, “and since Camp Wilkerson also used to host horse gatherings in years past, there was room, and the forest is so beauti- ful, we thought it was a good place to start bringing horse trails and camping to county parks.” Hammond and other OET vol- unteers have been collaborating with the county on the horse camp and trails 19 9/11 Annual Silent Walk Members of the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District and Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance Association took part in the Annual Silent Walk to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001. since the early 2000s. “A lot of individual people and groups have helped significantly over the years at Camp Wilkerson,” Ham- mond said. “Along with OET, Trailkeep- ers of Oregon, the Sheriff’s Posse and Boy Scout troops have raised funds for various park enhancements and have provided labor for quite a bit of the work accomplished there.” OET has also funded work on the bridges and helped the county identify and develop the Liahona Trail and some connecting trails in the park through a GIS study the group performed. OET members also continue to perform main- tenance and upkeep of the trails and the horse camp. “Columbia County looks for- ward to its continued collaboration with Oregon Equestrian Trails in developing horse areas in some of our other parks and trails like Diblee Beach Park in Rainier and along the CZ Trail,” said Heimuller. “Their input, skills and the incredible amount of work they do are invaluable to the county.” Camp Wilkerson, one of the county’s most visited parks, is open year round, except for the lodge which is closed during winter months. Be- cause the camp is busy at most times of the year, particularly in summer when the lodge is booked for weddings, it is recommended that campers make res- ervations by calling the reservation line at (503) 366-3984. Campers can also complete a reservation request form on the county’s website www.co.columbia. or.us/parks. About Columbia County Forest, Parks and Recreation: The Columbia County Forest, Parks and Recreation depart- ment manages and oversees nine parks in the county. They range from the full- service Hudson-Parcher along the Co- lumbia River to the 23-acre JJ Collins Marine Park to the rustic Scaponia Park deep in the county’s wooded interior. County parks offer a variety of activi- ties, including camping, windsurfing and horseback riding. In addition to these park and recreation areas, the county owns 430 acres of forest lands that are managed for periodic timber harvests. About Oregon Equestran Trails: OET is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members are dedicated to build- ing, promoting, preserving and main- taining horse camps and trails in Ore- gon. Established in 1970, the group has worked with state and federal partners to secure more than 70 campgrounds that offer a safe, secure overnight equestrian experience. Members work throughout the year to maintain the trails to provide continued access for all user groups. The Columbia County chapter was formed in 2001. Burgers & Fries 9 Beers on Tap Home of the Bear Creek Pub Growlers To Go Check us Out on Facebook UPCOMING EVENTS Couples Scotch Ball Every Friday, 5-6 pm Tee Off Men’s Club Every Wednesday, 3-6 pm Tee Off Vernonia Golf Club • 15961 Timber Rd • (503) 429-6811 503.429.0214 831 Bridge St.
