Siuslaw Estuary Trail

The Siuslaw Estuary Trail was developed collaboratively, with input from community members and the Siuslaw Estuary Partnership, a multi-year US Environmental Protection Agency grant funded project. From November 2010 through January 2013, the ‘Siuslaw Estuary Trail Vision: Preferred Location and Design’ report was prepared by project staff, with input and guidance from the Siuslaw Estuary Trail Technical Team and the Siuslaw Estuary Partnership Interdisciplinary Team. Participants of the technical team included the City of Florence; Port of Siuslaw; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development; Oregon Department of State Lands; ODOT; Siuslaw Watershed Council; US Army Corps of Engineers; and US Bureau of Land Management.

Our community stakeholders included representation from the Audubon Society; local birders; Central Oregon Coast Board of Realtors; Florence Area Chamber of Commerce; steelheader group; Florence Area Hospitality Association; Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition; Salmon Trout Enhancement Program; Surfrider Foundation; Volkswalkers; Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District, Lane County; and Heceta Water PUD.

Over the intervening years since the original trail concept, City staff have further refined the trail and eliminated high dollar components, such as the suspended walkway over the wetlands. The latest concept provides a trailhead and parking lot on the south side of Hwy 126 at Spruce Street (where Spruce Street would be extended to the south across the roadway). The trail would utilize the existing sidewalk along Hwy 126 to Redwood Street and then a new sidewalk would be constructed to the current terminus of Redwood. A compacted gavel multi-use (pedestrian and bicycle) path would then lead trail users along the upland area of the estuary on the City owned property meandering to Quince Street. Interpretive signage, awesome views of Munsel Creek and the Siuslaw River Estuary would be the focal point of the project.

Although not included in Phase 1 of the project, a future phase will include a footbridge over Munsel Creek to connect the multi-use path to the trailhead parking area at the south side of Hwy 126 at Spruce Street.