Sunday Trailways to blaze into Bethany area

Sunday Trailways will blaze through the northernmost part of the Park District on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A three-mile stretch of the Rock Creek Trail will host the second annual event, which was introduced last year to promote active, family-friendly exploration of THPRD’s 60-mile trails network.

However, the event is more than just a showcase of THPRD’s trails, said event organizer Debra Fife. It gives our Natural Resources experts an opportunity to illustrate the vital role the district plays in the ongoing expansion of a regional trails network.

“Our Natural Resources employees are working with their counterparts in Hillsboro to provide an opportunity for Sunday Trailways participants to learn about the regional trails system, alternative commuting options, and the long-term plans to connect metro area trails,” she said.

Additionally, the Nature Mobile and our other Natural Resources specialists – including park rangers – will be stationed along the route to teach participants about the natural attributes of the surrounding area, which provides habitat for beavers, deer, and raptors.

The Sunday Trailways route officially extends west to east from the Rock Creek West Soccer Fields to Kaiser Woods.

Activity sites include Pirate Park, the Rock Creek Powerline soccer fields and Bethany Lake Park, Fife said. At those sites, and possibly others, there will be food vendors, games, the Rec Mobile, and a dedication of recently completed, bond measure-funded trail segments. The dedication will occur along the Rock Creek Greenway near NW 185th.

The event’s primary activity, though, is general fitness and family fun.

“More people biked than walked last year, which was a surprise,” Fife said. “We’re doing more outreach to walking groups to bring the trail to the attention of more people who might walk it.”

On foot or on wheels, the Rock Creek Trail provides compelling scenery, Fife said.

Participants may enter the event at any trailhead and move along the trail, in either direction, at their own pace. The gain in elevation means portions of the trail will be more challenging for novices (though the entire route is ADA-accessible). Fife recommends that guests use the Intertwine’s online trails map for details on accessibility.

• View entire trail map

Several hundred people participated in last year’s inaugural Trailways event, staged along the Fanno Creek Trail.

“Hopefully this event continues to raise awareness that our trails can easily be incorporated into daily life, whether you’re going to school, dropping by the store or just wanting to get outside, exercise and see something pretty,” Fife said.