TO: Phil Cruz, District Ranger of Bend/Fort Rock District
FROM: Tumalo Langlauf Club (Liaison: Tim Gibbons)
RE: Revised Letter of Proposed Action: Enhancement of Meissner Sno-Park
DATE: 12 March 2006
The Tumalo Langlauf club is spearheading the development of community ski area at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park, the most important and ambitious project of the club's history.
In 2003, TLC formed the Meissner Committee to look at future development for Meissner Sno-Park. The mission of the Meissner Committee was to draft a vision statement and Strategic Plan for the area.
Since then many exciting developments have occurred. Last year TLC purchased a Pisten Bully
130 groomer and built a pole barn at Meissner to house it. With such exciting progress occurring, we wish to provide an update to our club members with the information found below.
→ Introduction
→ Main Tenents of the Proposal
→ Letter of Support
→ Coordination with other Users
→ Expansion and Improvement of Ski Trail System
→ Expansion of Parking Area
→ Lighted Trails
→ Warming Shelter
→ Improvement to Pole Barn
→ Reasonable Forseeable Future Actions
INTRODUCTION
The Tumalo Langlauf Club (TLC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and a chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club and boasts the largest membership of cross country skiers in Central Oregon, at approximately 300. The focus of the club is to provide groomed trails for community use, facilitate access to the sport of cross-country skiing, and conduct social and skiing activities for club members. In addition, TLC collaborates with the Central Oregon Nordic Club and other organizations sharing the TLC mission. For the last eight years, TLC has groomed approximately 20 kilometers of ski trails at the Meissner Sno-Park area three days per week from December 1 - March 31.
In 2003, TLC created a vision statement and strategic plan for the development of a community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park, nicknamed the Meissner Project. At that time we shared these documents with District Ranger, Walt Schloer and Forest Supervisor, Leslie Weldon. Feedback (meetings, surveys) from TLC members has repeatedly stated that the most important feature for the Meissner area is high quality, consistent grooming of the ski trails. To address that need, TLC purchased a Pisten Bully 130 grooming machine in November of 2004 with a generous grant from the Mt Hood Nordic Ski Foundation. Further guidance from club members has indicated a desire and need for an expanded and improved ski trail system, parking area expansion, lighted trails and a warming shelter. The Tumalo Langlauf Club proposes the development of a community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park area in two phases. Phase I includes construction of new trails, expansion of the parking area and installation of lights in 2007 and Phase II includes construction of a warming shelter in 2008.
MAIN TENENTS OF THE PROPOSAL
A key tenet of the Meissner Project is that it is a community ski area, non-commercial, and dedicated to expanding opportunities for all individuals to enjoy the out of doors. A second important tenet is that the project is envisioned to be collaborative as experience shows that a coalition of multiple interested partners more easily enables a successful project.
We envision a community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park that would meet the needs of all skiing organizations and skiers in the community and would abound with activity. Visitors to the area would include families, children, beginning skiers, recreational skiers, high school ski racers, world-class competitive racers and students in COCC and BMPRD ski classes. Current partners and stakeholders include the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, Central Oregon Community College, local Central Oregon High School ski teams and XC Oregon. Current user groups include the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation and Central Oregon Nordic Club.
We envision members from the Central Oregon ski community will provide annual gifts in order to provide sustainable operating funds for grooming and volunteer labor for building and maintaining facilities. Our concept of a community ski area is based on the needs of all skiers from all ages and abilities and is supported by those who benefit from it.
LETTER OF SUPPORT
The Tumalo Langlauf Club has received support from several organized groups who support the Meissner Project. To date we have received letters of support from Central Oregon Community College, Bend Metro Park & Recreation District, Sunnyside Sports, XC Oregon and Mountain View High School. We expect letters of support from high school ski teams including Bend, Redmond, Summit and the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association.
COORDINATION WITH OTHER USERS
Snowshoe use is recognized as a current use and all trails will be designed and coordinated to include this adjacent use.
Expansion and Improvement of Ski Trail System
We propose five major features of an expanded ski trail system and these include an expansion of the grooming boundary, construction of new trails, construction of a staging area and terrain park and modification of existing trails and roads. Please see Appendix A.
Renaming of Sno-Park -
We propose an official renaming of Virginia Meissner Sno-Park to Virginia Meissner Community Ski Area to reflect the nature and use of the proposed enhancements to the area.
Expansion of Grooming Boundary -
Appendix A shows the current grooming boundary and the proposed boundary. We propose extending the grooming boundary to include Trail #1 and Trail #9.
Features of a Staging Area, Roofed Kiosk, Bypass Bridge (1.03 acres) -
A staging area would provide a focal point at the trailhead and provide an area for group events. A well-designed staging area acts as a central hub for a trail system. It provides a common enter and exit point for all users (skiers, snowshoers, backcountry skiers) and funnels them past maps and information. It is a large open area that provides an ideal setting for instructional and competitive events.
We propose a staging area immediately to the north of the parking area. Please see Appendix B. The dimensions of the staging area would measure 150 x 300 feet, approximately 1.03 acres and be cleared of all trees and shrubs. This area lends itself as a staging area because of the flat and gradual sloping terrain, proximity to the parking area and a partial clearing of the forest. It is our intent to provide an ideal setting for a staging area and to do this by removing the least number of trees. The length of the rectangle would lie in a northwest - southeast orientation. A ski trail would circle the perimeter of the staging area, thus providing ingress and egress to the staging area, trail system and parking area. This design would allow large groups (Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association races, Bend Kids Ski League, COCC ski classes) to stage competitive and instructional events while providing the public unrestricted access to the Meissner ski trail system. In addition, this design prevents traffic jams of skiers and snowshoers in and around the staging area, trailhead and parking area.
In addition, we propose a recreational skier underpass/competitive skier overpass in the staging area. Popular at ski venues in North America and Europe, this bridge structure allows recreational skiers to safely bypass an instructional or competitive event and gain access to the trail system.
We propose a roofed kiosk (signboard) immediately adjacent to the parking area that provides a sense of arrival for visitors to the area. The main purposes of the kiosk are to: 1) officially designate the start of the trail system, 2) provide maps and information for the area (TLC, USFS, Snowshoe) and 3) provide visitors information on the legacy of Virginia Meissner.
In addition, we propose a recreational skier underpass/competitive skier overpass in the staging area. Popular at ski venues in North America and Europe, this bridge structure allows recreational skiers to safely bypass a competitive event and gain access to the trail system. This would allow foot traffic to safely cross the staging area to access the warming shelter.
Features of a Terrain Park (2.7 acres) -
The proposed location of the Terrain Park is approximately one-half mile north from the pole barn on Forest Service Road 4615 on the west side of the road. This location is ideal because it has a varying degree of slope from five to 20 percent with a flat area at the bottom of the hill, which allows skiers to safely stop. We proposed a Terrain Park with the dimensions of 300' x 600' feet, approximately 2.7 acres, oriented lengthwise east to west. In addition, we propose two ski runs from top to bottom with a large open slope on the bottom one-third of the slope. The ski runs would be separated by a tree median strip. The Terrain Park would be located on one of the ski runs. Further, a ski trail will be built along side one of the ski runs in order to provide safe uphill access to the top of the slope and the Terrain Park.
The Terrain Park will be a facility to improve and build ski skills and will serve at least two distinct groups: adult beginner skiers and children (age 5-18 years). The Terrain Park will be divided into two areas: a beginner ski slope of three to seven percent and an area with terrain features. The beginner slope will be located at the bottom of the hill with a wide area of 100 meters in width in which beginning skiers can learn downhill and turning techniques in a safe environment. The terrain features will include banked slopes and turns, small bumps, moguls and jumps. These same features are found in Snowboard and Mountain Bike terrain parks. It is anticipated that the cross country ski features will be smaller in scale than those seen at Snowboard terrain parks. These features will require the moving and shaping of topsoil. Up to three paths will be created through the terrain park so up to three skiers can safely negotiate the terrain park.
Construction of New Trails -
We propose up to 14 kilometers of new trails with approximately 50 percent listed as EASIEST, 40 percent as MORE DIFFICULT and 10 percent as MOST DIFFICULT. Appendix A shows a detailed map of the proposed trails and Appendix C provides a description of the proposed changes. Approximately, 84 percent of the proposed trails are within a two-kilometer (1.2 miles) radius of the trailhead. New and existing trails and roads would be cut 18 feet in width from the forest floor up through the canopy. On downhill corners earth would be moved to provide banked curves. Large stumps would be removed using an excavator or grinder.
We propose the construction of new trails or modifying existing trails by the use of "cupping." To "cup" a trail is to modify the vertical direction of the trail by curving gently uphill, leveling off, and then resuming the downward direction. In addition, on switchbacks cupping is applied by the use of three curves, upslope, downslope, and upslope again. The middle curve is a long radius curve.
Modification of Existing Trails and Roads -
We propose the widening of existing trails and roads to accommodate the Pisten Bully 130. Please see Appendix C for a detailed description of each proposed change. In many cases, the use of "cupping" is proposed to provide safe descents on downhills and corners. Earth would be moved to construct banked curves.
EXPANSION OF PARKING AREA
With the increased use and popularity of the groomed trails at Meissner Sno-Park, parking is at a premium. We propose expanding the size of the parking area at Meissner Sno-Park from its current capacity of 60 vehicles to an area that will safely hold 180 vehicles. Please see Appendix B for a map of the proposed parking area expansion. This map provides a representation of the parking expansion. Engineers from the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Transportation will make changes and recommendations regarding aesthetics and design of the parking area.
An expanded parking area will accommodate large special groups (OISRA high school ski races, Bend Kids Ski League) of up to 200 visitors while providing ample parking for the general public. We have received an in-kind donation from Hickman Williams, a civil engineering firm, to help design and survey the parking area expansion. It is anticipated that this firm will work with the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Transportation to create the best design for parking and snowplowing. An additional pit toilet (double) will be located in the proposed parking area.
LIGHTED TRAILS
To provide more access to the trail network we propose initially lighting three kilometers (1.9 miles) of ski trail and adding up to another seven kilometers (4.3 miles). We recommend an initial lighted loop begin at the trailhead and go west to Pine Drops, north to intersect with Tangent and return on Tangent to the trailhead. Expected use would be three to four hours per night for four to five nights per week. Lights would be attached to poles or trees at a height of 12 to 15 feet off of the snow. The fixtures would be adjustable in height and would direct light downward and along the trail in both directions, thus minimizing light pollution. There are two sources of power that may be available: electric and solar. The Midstate line (owned by Mt. Bachelor Inc.) to Mt. Bachelor, located about one mile south of the Meissner Sno-Park, may be extended to the Wanoga Sno-Park Play Area in the next two to three years. Further, the feasibility of solar power has greatly increased in the last ten years. Two scenarios are envisioned with solar power. Small panels located at regular intervals along the ski trail would collect solar energy or large panels located on the pole barn would be used to collect energy. Power to the lights would be supplied via a buried electrical line.
WARMING SHELTER
To provide warmth, shelter and a place to gather and socialize we propose building a Northwest-style lodge. Please see Appendix D for plans and drawings of the warming shelter. We propose building choice "B" which is labeled on the plan. Built with natural materials of wood and stone, it would be approximately 2500-3000 square feet in size. The building would include classic architectural design from lodges of the west such as a large stone fireplace and open trusses spanning the great room. Additional features would include changing rooms, ventilated wax rooms, storage room, kitchen with propane stove and sink, and a large, outside deck overlooking the staging area. Architectural design would make full use of "day lighting" to allow large amounts of light to enter the building. Further, the building would include a design that allows access to the changing rooms while keeping the remaining part of the building locked and secure.
Restrooms would be one of two options: composting toilets located inside lodge or pit toilets located close or adjacent to lodge. We propose locating the Warming Shelter in the southeast corner of the staging area. Please see Appendix B.
IMPROVEMENT TO POLE BARN
The pole barn located just north of the trailhead houses the club's Pisten Bully 130 groomer, snowmobile and grooming equipment and supplies from December 1 - March 31. We propose improving this structure by pouring a concrete floor.
REASONABLE FORSEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS
- Extend Midstate electric line from Wanoga Sno-Park Play Area across to Meissner Sno-Park.
- Design and build staging area and new trails that meet criteria to hold national cross country ski races.
- Possibility of shuttle from Bend to Meissner Sno-Park and return during peak season and holiday periods.
- Improve and replace Meissner Shelter and possible add new shelters with grooming boundary.
→ Appendix A - Map of Proposed Trails
→ Appendix B - Map of Proposed Parking & Staging Area
→ Appendix C - Description of Proposed Trails
→ Appendix D - Plans of Warming Shelter
