Petition to Build a Hiking Trail West of Cherry Street

We the undersigned are petitioning the City of Manzanita, asking that they build a proper hiking trail through the designated city right-of-way on vacated Ocean Avenue, west of Cherry Street.

This trail – which has been utilized with no complaint for more than 60 years – would enable beach access, and at the same time, allow the residents of Classic Ridge and surrounding areas the ability to escape a tsunami.

The trail is not simply in the public interest. It is vital to ensure public safety.

But the Council seemingly paid little heed to these concerns when they permitted in the 1960s the construction of a single residential driveway and a deck built across the right-of-way – and without any public input.

Manzanita’s leaders have long had a penchant for giving up public streets. We maintain that the City, by allowing a home to be built on the dune, violated established laws related to easement by possession. We expect that the City of Manzanita think of what’s best for the entire community and build a suitable hiking trial.

To that end we strongly encourage the City of Manzanita to build a designated trail through the established right of way.