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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2018)
6A • November 30, 2018 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Study looks at what coastal tourists value most Traffic, lodging costs are concerns By Brenna Visser Cannon Beach Gazette When international travel- ers come to the North Coast, they are enamored with the nature that surrounds them and the Oregonians they meet. But a few more signs telling them how to get around wouldn’t hurt. The observations are a part of recent study by Travel Or- egon and the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement that looks at who visits the North Coast and what they like to do while they are here. About 750 visitors from Astoria to Pacific City were surveyed in August in cities and state parks about what they felt were the region’s greatest assets and weaknesses. The information is aimed to inform tourism leaders on how to make tourism sustainable environmentally and economi- cally through a multiyear rural tourism studio program. “It gives us the opportunity to understand who is there and what they value there,” said Linea Gagliano, Travel Ore- gon communications director. In many ways, the study shows what one would expect. About half of the visitors re- ported being from outside of Oregon but from the United States, with about another 30 percent coming from Portland — but almost all of them are coming for leisure. About 80 percent of visitors come for entertainment, in- cluding restaurants, shops and breweries. About 70 percent of people are then interested in getting active with land-based activities like hiking and about 60 percent in water-based ac- tivities like beach walks. Only about 27 percent reported dab- bling in arts and culture. The ocean and general nat- ural beauty was predictably the biggest visitor draw. One of the region’s greatest assets is its “vibe”, as many com- mented on the area’s ability to “offer them a calm, quiet, and relaxing escape from their busy lives.” While about 75 percent reported having a pleasur- able time on the North Coast, the study also illuminated constraints that, if left unad- dressed, could affect the visitor experience. About a quarter of Recommendations in the report include development of new recreation and camping ar- eas, as well as better publicizing existing underutilized areas to help disperse crowds and limit environmental degradation. Making smaller changes like adding bike lanes, light- ed pedestrian crossings and adding more cautionary signs would also aid not just recre- ation, but overall congestion issues for locals and visitors. Diversity COLIN MURPHEY Visitors to Ecola State Park admire the view looking south toward Cannon Beach. participants said they antici- pate not returning, and in vary- ing degrees cited issues such as too much traffic, a lack of parking, crowds and high costs of lodging as reasons why. Good hosts Outdoor recreation con- tinues to be one of the fast- est-growing travel markets in the United States. On the Or- egon Coast, outdoor recreation accounted for about 10 percent of all visitor spending in 2017, amounting to about $200 mil- lion. Accommodating the out- door recreation market not only has room for growth, but also means attracting the type of visitor the destination mar- keting organization is looking for — someone who tends to stay multiple nights and spends more when they are here, Gagliano said. While the North Coast is known for outdoor opportuni- ties, and the report found that visitors enjoy the outdoor ex- perience, signs and infrastruc- ture could improve. Despite having about half of respondents surveyed in state parks, only 7 percent re- ported camping. Cycling, one of Oregon’s fastest-growing outdoor recreation industries, didn’t make the list at all. The findings are likely not due to lack of interest, but lack of certain infrastructure, Trav- el Oregon Outdoor Recreation Specialist Stephen Hatfield said. “Camping is low compared with the state, but that’s prob- ably because they’re at capaci- ty,” he said. Safety issues on U.S. High- way 101 and the general lack of opportunities for mountain biking on the coast in compar- ison to the rest of the state is likely the reason for little cy- cling. Some of the congestion issues could be addressed by better information about ac- tivities — a concern especial- ly expressed by international travelers. Several visitors commented on the difficulty they had with finding information about at- tractions, activities and events, suggesting more can be done to elevate lesser-known attrac- tions. Some visitors are also looking for more diversity. Between 19 and 23 percent of respondents said new events, different restaurants and shop- ping locations and activities would encourage them to visit the North Coast more frequent- ly, and took issue with the lim- ited hours of local shops. History center could acquire school School from Page 1A COLIN MURPHEY Sand blows across a dune in Cannon Beach. Foredune plan is headed to council Dunes from Page 1A The commission added an extra foot after learning FEMA does not account for climate change when calculating these guidelines, and based the change on the National Ocean- ic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration’s estimate that sea level could rise by 1½ feet in the most extreme climate scenario by 2040. But the commission rec- ommended these changes with one significant condition: the City Council should question whether grading for views should be done at all. “Dune grading has always kind of been this foregone con- clusion,” commissioner Lisa Kerr said. “I’ve never been comfortable with this goal, and I feel like we’ve been just working around this for the past year.” Commissioners have tan- gled with this idea for months, even considering at some points to recommend the issue be put out to a vote in a ballot measure to reach a conclusion. Commissioner Joe Bernt joined Kerr in her concerns, saying he felt part of the reason it has taken more than a year to come up with a recommended plan stems from the commis- sion’s base hesitancy about whether they support grading for views at all. “We’ve been lobbied to death,” Bernt said, referring to Breakers Point residents in fa- vor of dune grading. “And we still have never gotten to the main issue of this conflict.” The condition, which was introduced at Tuesday’s meet- ing for the first time, would require a major change in the comprehensive plan if the City Council chooses to consider it. It could come as a pleas- ant surprise for groups like Friends of the Dunes, who have long argued grading for views compromises a critical bulwark against storm-dam- age and damages plants and habitat. It could also come as a blow to the Breakers Point Homeowners Association — the area in Cannon Beach most disproportionately affected by sand accretion. Dozens of homeowners tes- tified for months to the plan- ning commission about the effects of sand inundation, and how those who bought homes at Breakers Point were sold property under the idea code allowed the ability to maintain beach access and view. Public hearings on the sub- ject will be reopened when the City Council chooses to re- view the recommendation. The building, which has sat vacant at the north end of town since the school was closed in 2013, has long been an object of desire for the city, which has discussed buying it as some form of event or community center on and off for years. The Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes has also shown interest in preserving the unique building as a cul- tural landmark. It is one of four buildings the district is attempting to sell as it con- tinues to build a new campus out of the tsunami inundation zone. Elaine Trucke, the muse- um’s executive director, said she first began thinking about the museum buying the prop- erty after reading an article about the school a couple of years ago. Though the building sits in a zone that limits uses to community buildings that serve an educational or cul- tural purpose, she feared its location near the waterfront could possibly attract a de- veloper that would even- tually tear down the iconic dome-shaped gymnasium. Preserving the area is also historically and culturally COLIN MURPHEY The gymnasium at the Cannon Beach Elementary School. significant, as it sits upon what was once the home of a bustling Native American village named NeCus. She also sees potential for it to be an affordable com- munity gathering space for nonprofits and other large community events. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to have a cultural cen- ter?’” she said. “We wanted it to be something historic the community could enjoy.” As a private nonprofit, Trucke also saw an opportu- nity for the museum to buy the property for community benefit without possibly bur- dening taxpayers with higher property taxes. “If the city buys it, then it’s on the taxpayers, and they’ve already got the school bond, other bonds,” she said. “What if we could do this through the private sector?” The board discussed buy- ing the property for more than a year, and officially sent an offer of $400,000 in September. It was based on a similar offer made by the city of Cannon Beach a few years ago, Trucke said. If the sale is finalized, Trucke hopes to work with the Greater Ecola Natural Area, a group that has long advocated for the school to powered by be a cultural center, to ren- ovate the space to honor the history of both the tribes and the elementary school, intro- duce new trails adjoining the park and creating more park- ing. Whether the sale is final- ized and plans for renovation will be largely dependent on inspection reports, Trucke said, which will lay out how much renovation work will be needed to bring the aban- doned building back up to code. The cost of interior and exterior renovations would be about $371,000, accord- ing to a 2016 estimate. “We’re a healthy organi- zation, but this is a big deal for us,” Trucke said. Once a purchase agree- ment is in hand, Trucke said a handful of private grant foundations have agreed to pay the down payment and part of the renovation costs. She hopes to finance continu- ing costs through local fund- raising. Opening the doors could take between two to five years. “I’m delighted it will continue to be a communi- ty-based place that celebrates the history of the tribe in the area, and a continued gather- ing place for the citizens of Cannon Beach,” Roley said. Experience Family Dining in a Relaxed & Friendly Environment Serving Seafood, Pizza, Sandwiches, Espressos, Beer, Wine, Ice Cream and our Homemade Desserts We have a fabulous patio where you can enjoy the weather and your meal. “TO-GO” Orders Welcome 156 N. Hemlock • Cannon Beach music fi rst 503.436.9551 Owned and Operated by the Cleary Family THE COASTER THEATRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS DOING WELL WHILE DOING GOOD Great news! Charitable gift annuity payment rates Nov. 16-Dec. 23 Tickets $20 or $25 Shows begin at 7:30pm Sunday shows at 3:00pm Sponsored by have increased for the first time in many years. 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