On December 9, the Hood River City Council will make a critical decision on a request for annexation and zone change for the Campbell property on Brookside Drive, which would transfer the easement for the Indian Creek Trail to the city. This decision is a pivotal point for the future of safe and green commuting for our students. 

(Photo: Students using the bike rails on the staircase at the crossing of the Indian Creek Trail at Alameda Road)

 

 

 

 

 

The current reality for walking and biking students is challenging. They face indirect routes with hilly terrain and no proper pedestrian and bicyclist safety infrastructure, forcing them to share busy roads with traffic. The proposed trail connection would provide a safer, more direct, off-road route to Hood River Valley High School, reducing the risk of crashes and encouraging healthier, more active lifestyles.

(Photo: 80s Walk & Roll Club doing yoga at the current terminus of the Indian Creek Trail.)

 

 

According to the World Health Organization, 80% of youth globally do not achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Many students are driven to school, contributing to rush-hour traffic and missing opportunities to navigate their neighborhoods and connect with their community. As much as 30% of rush-hour traffic stems from parents driving students to school. This reliance on vehicles not only increases congestion but contributes to the rise of what some call the "indoor generation," with 1 in 5 teenagers reporting feelings of anxiety or depression (KFF.org, 2024).

(Photo: 80s Walk And Roll Club enjoying the Indian Creek at the current terminus by the community college)

 

 

Conversely, when asked by the HRVHS leadership teacher, Lindsy Weseman, to name their top life goal, teenagers say they want to spend more time outdoors. Walking or biking to the high school on the Indian Creek Trail, students would get physical activity in a beautiful outdoor space on their way to or from school, waking up their bodies and brains before spending the day indoors. This opportunity could result in higher attendance and concentration at school. The most overlooked benefit of the trail is freeing up parents' time from driving, which would reduce traffic.

(Photo: Students taking in the view of the Hood River from the Mark Zanmiller bench on the Indian Creek Trail)

 

 

While the trail primarily benefits students commuting to school, it would also connect residents to essential services and recreational areas, offering a safe and accessible route for all. The City Council’s decision presents a rare opportunity to address these pressing issues, promoting safety, health, and connectivity for future generations. In addition to signing this petition, please consider emailing written comments to the City Recorder: j.gray@cityofhoodriver.gov by December 9th.