It’s all downhill from here

Story & photos by Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

Something unexpected happened during the height of the COVID-19 quarantine. Unprecedented numbers of people discovered their local trails or, searching for a safe way to get outside, traveled to places that had been on their bucket lists.

Combine that with an increase in social media accounts and smart phones with ever-smarter cameras setting a higher bar for capturing great outdoor photos, and one thing is becoming clear- we’re going to need more trails.

Enter organizations like the Newport Trail Stewards, or NEWTS, started by outdoor enthusiast Tomas Follet. Formerly incorporated as an Oregon Charitable Organization in 2017 and with a motivated board of directors, the group is now perfectly poised to help create new, properly constructed trails in open spaces in and around Newport for use by bikers, hikers and runners.

“I’m a mountain biker and love to build trails,” said board member Will Black, who organizes the meetings and events. “Pre-COVID we were doing one social a month. Now we are just getting back to planning family-friendly rides and safely meeting socially again.”

After such a long time off, Black said members were pleasantly surprised by the first formal trail work day since the ease in restrictions, which happened in early March.

“We had about 18 people working on a brand-new trail, so that was exciting,” he said. “It’s pretty hard work, so it’s great to have that kind of turnout.”

The group is now regularly scheduling work days for the second and fourth Saturday of every month, with the next one set for 8:45 am on Saturday, March 27, at the Wilder trails in south Newport.

The next few events will help prepare the trails that are used in the annual Coast Hills Classic mountain bike race on June 14.

But once that goal is fulfilled, the group will be redirecting its focus to the area that was in members’ sites when the NEWTS was formed.

“A big push for us was getting access to the Big Creek area that is City of Newport property,” Follet said. “The NEWTS mission is partially to help fulfill the mission of the Newport Parks and Recreation Department’s master plan for that area. It has had a vague indication that there should be parks and trails out there but nothing had come of it, so we’ve been working with the city to help make it happen. They have been very supportive because we are very careful about safety, and also building trails properly. I’ve built a lot over the years, and have learned from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. I really try to educate people about how to build trails so that they not only last, but they don’t end up creating more damage to the forests.”

Follet fell in love with the area years ago when exploring what there is that can be currently accessed — since it’s city property, Follet highly encourages people to come to trail workdays to learn the area. It’s easy to take a wrong turn, and the city doesn't currently encourage people to go there on their own.

“After walking around a bit, I realized that the city property that includes the watershed around the reservoir is so beautiful,” Follet said. “The trees are older because it’s been protected but that also makes it much easier to lose your way.”

Though most members are mountain bikers, the NEWTS are not only about creating trails for cyclists.

“We have a lot of user groups in mind for our plans,” Black said. “Our phase-one goal at the reservoir is to build an easy, one-mile loop for families. We are definitely planning to avoid conflicts by making separate trails for downhill biking that will be separate from the family-friendly areas.”

Trail building offers all kinds of benefits, including fresh air, exercise and a sense of accomplishment. But the main reason both Follet and Black do it is simple — fun.

“It’s great to be out there creating and improving trails,” Black said. “It’s hard work too, but there are so many benefits. People make friends, plan activities; plus, it’s extra fun to ride or hike on a trail you’ve helped build.”

For more information, go to the NEWTS page on Facebook.