Dorris Ranch closed weekdays through fall starting Feb. 20 | News

From Willamalane

For the next nine months, Dorris Ranch will be closed to the public on weekdays beginning Monday, Feb. 20, due to construction of a new section of path along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.

Construction will involve moving heavy equipment throughout the park and orchards. For safety reasons the highly popular park will be closed Monday through 5 p.m. Friday and will reopen at 5 p.m. Friday through 9 p.m. Sunday.

The new section of the Middle Fork Path will extend from the newly constructed bridge at Quarry Creek around the butte to Dorris Ranch, where it will connect to the existing Dorris Ranch path system.

The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

Concrete Enterprises Inc. is the general contractor. Project updates will be available on willamalane.org.

"We're excited about extending the Middle Fork Path from Quarry Creek to Dorris Ranch and taking another big step forward on this visionary project," said Willamalane Superintendent Bob Keefer. “We know the weekday closure will be an inconvenience to regular park users, but we hope people have patience and understanding about the closure during the construction.”

Keefer said construction of the second phase of the Middle Fork Path will open a previously hidden stretch of the Willamette River to the public for the first time. The fully accessible 10‐foot wide asphalt path will enable an alternative transportation connection between downtown and southeast Springfield, and set the stage for future regional connections: across the river to Mount Pisgah, along the future Millrace path, and farther west to Eugene along the existing riverfront path system.

"This second phase of the project will be the catalyst for completing the path." Keefer said. "When the entire path project is completed, it will connect to the riverfront bike path system and Lane Transit District's Springfield Station via the South Second Street bike lane. It will become not only an amazing recreational path but also a great nonmotorized transportation corridor," Keefer said.

The total cost of the project's second phase is approximately $2.7 million. In addition to a $1.6 million Transportation Enhancement program grant from the Oregon Transportation Commission, the project will be paid for with unspent federal funds from the path's first phase, and local funds allocated in Willamalane's Capital Improvement Program.

Last June, Willamalane completed the first phase of the path, which follows the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. The path travels from Clearwater Park west to Quarry Butte. The path's eastern trailhead is located at Clearwater Park, with parking, a restroom and informational kiosk. From Clearwater Park, the path travels east 2 1/2 miles along the new Springfield Mill Race channel and then along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Phase 1 of the path ends at a 70-foot pedestrian bridge spanning Quarry Creek. Path users enjoy a small picnic area just before the bridge.

The district will know by next month whether funding has been secured for the final portion of the path that will travel through the eastern portion of Dorris Ranch and include a trailhead at the park entrance at South Second Street.

Long-range plans call for the Middle Fork Path to ultimately connect with a path along the Springfield Mill Race to downtown Springfield, creating an 8-mile loop. With brief sections of on-street bicycle lanes, the path will also connect to an extensive existing riverfront path system linking Springfield and Eugene.

Willamalane’s was one of only 14 projects statewide selected to receive $15.9 million in Transportation Enhancement funding for projects that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental value of the state's transportation system. There were 100 applications requesting almost $107 million.

Since 1992, the Transportation Enhancement program has funded 190 projects statewide to help complete sidewalk, bike path and streetscape projects, restore historic bridges and depots, and for beautification and interpretive sites that help travelers enjoy the scenery and history along Oregon highways. The Oregon Department of Transportation Local Government Section manages the program.