Tickle Creek Trail Update

creek

 

Updated 4/25/24

Tickle Creek Trail is now fully open and we are excited to welcome everyone back! Clean-up efforts will be ongoing. Thank you AntFarm, Oregon Tree Care and Sandy Public Works and Parks teams for helping us to safely reopen Tickle Creek Trail!

Updated 4/16/24

A new part of the trail is now open!
 
The trail from Knollwood Playground to the east is now open to the public! Oregon Tree Care finished removing trees identified as hazards in the section of the trail just east of Knollwood Playground and it is now safe to enjoy. While we are opening this section there is still more work to be done to restore the area to it's previous beauty.  Please be patient as we continue our clean-up efforts.
 
Oregon Tree care is scheduled to do more hazard tree abatement on 4/24/24, as long as there are no setbacks we are hopeful that we can open the trail 4/25/24.
 
Once the trail is reopened you will see that the damage was extensive, our clean-up and restoration efforts will be an on-going process. Please be patient as we continue our restoration and cleanup efforts.
 
While you are out enjoying the trail you will see green bubbles attached to many of the standing and down Doug Fir.  These are a pheromone called MCH.  Synergy Shield MCH Caps, Douglas-fir and Spruce Beetle Repellent uses MCH – a naturally occurring anti-aggregation pheromone of the Douglas-fir beetle to protect living trees from attack by Spruce, and Douglas-fir beetles. It is also used to prevent the build-up of populations on logs, stumps, and fallen trees. MCH sends a message that the tree is full and that beetles should look elsewhere for a suitable host.  https://www.forestrydistributing.com/mch-bubble-caps-synergy-shield-douglas-fir-and-spruce-beetle-repellent
 
 

Updated 4/2/2024

Oregon Tree Care was out removing hazardous trees from the Tickle Creek Trail.  Knollwood Park was closed temporarily due to the proximity of the trees but is once again open.  Oregon Tree Care and our Parks and Recreation Crew will continue to remove hazardous trees and make sure the trail is safe through the month of April.  We are hopeful that Tickle Creek Trail will be ready for public use by late spring/early summer.

Updated 3/15/24

Update on Tickle Creek Trail Restoration:

Following the recent storm, progress has been made in addressing the damages along Tickle Creek Trail:

  1. Hazard trees have been identified, and plans are underway for their safe removal or reduction in the upcoming weeks to ensure the safety of trail users.
  2. Trees obstructing the entrance to bridge 1 have been successfully removed. However, the trail remains closed at this time.
  3. Repair work for bridge 1 is scheduled to commence soon to restore its functionality.

Despite ongoing efforts, hazardous trees still pose a risk along the trail. As such, we urge the public to refrain from using the trail until further notice.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to reopen the trail. The Parks crew is working hard to ensure that every step of the restoration process is conducted meticulously to guarantee the trail's safety. Although this process may take time, rest assured that we are committed to reopening the trail as soon as possible. Your safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure that the trail is restored properly.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tickle Creek Trail once it is safe to do so.

Updated 3/6/24

We're thrilled to share a progress update on our ongoing efforts to restore and revitalize Tickle Creek. Our dedicated Parks team, in collaboration with AntFarm and local experts, has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and weather related cleanup of our beloved Tickle Creek trails.

We're pleased to report significant progress in our cleanup endeavors. However, there's still work to be done, particularly in the removal of hazardous and dangerous trees to ensure the utmost safety for public use.

We understand the anticipation to explore the trails once again, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through this process. Rest assured, every step we take is with the safety and enjoyment of our community in mind.

We're optimistic about our progress and we are committed to keeping you updated on our progress. 

Thank you for your support and patience.

Updated 1/31/24

Tickle Creek Park & Trail Restoration Notification

Dear Sandy Community,

I’d like to bring to your attention a temporary closure affecting our cherished community asset, Tickle Creek Park & Trail. Unfortunately, recent weather incidents, including high winds, heavy rain, and ice, have caused significant destruction, leading to the closure of portions of the trail until further notice.

As of Jan. 31, 2024 a small portion of Tickle Creek Trail is back open. The section of trail that is open is east of Melissa Ave. to Bridge 5. Please enjoy that section of trail, and we kindly ask that trail users obey all closure signs, as those areas are currently unsafe.

Park Closure Details:
Tickle Creek Park & Trail, renowned for its five wooden bridges and approximately 1.8 miles of scenic trails, has incurred substantial damage, resulting in certain sections unsafe for public use. The Parks team is actively involved in restoration efforts, developing site-specific plans to address the destruction. It is crucial to note that Tickle Creek is a fish-bearing stream located within a sensitive land delineation known as the Flood Slope Hazard (FSH), necessitating careful and specialized attention during the restoration process.

Restoration Activities:
We understand the significance of Tickle Creek Park & Trail within our community, and I want to assure you that the Parks team is diligently working to assess, salvage, remove, or donate the downed tree debris. Given the complexity of the restoration process, which involves coordination across multiple jurisdictions, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

Our Commitment to Safety:
Our commitment is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all community members. As part of our ongoing efforts, we will be restoring parts of the trail that have incurred less damage. To keep you informed, we will make announcements on social media, our website, and through onsite trail notifications and signs as repairs are completed.

Safety Measures:
In the meantime, we urge everyone to adhere to the postings at trailheads and trail entrances. These safety measures are in place to protect the public and ensure a secure environment for all visitors. Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated.

Current Activities and Restoration Timeline:

Engagement of Experts:
Our Parks team has enlisted the expertise of environmental and restoration professionals to conduct a thorough assessment of the damage at Tickle Creek Park & Trail. This will guide our efforts to ensure the preservation of the natural habitat and adherence to regulations surrounding the Flood Slope Hazard (FSH).

Initial Cleanup:
City staff have initiated cleanup efforts in areas of the park deemed safe for our team to work. This involves the removal of debris and downed trees to facilitate a smoother restoration process in the coming months.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts:
The restoration of Tickle Creek Park & Trail is a complex undertaking, and unfortunately, we anticipate that the full site opening will be delayed by several months. Our team is working tirelessly to restore sections of the trail with minimal damage, and as progress is made, we will communicate updates through various channels.

Salvage, Removal, and Donation of Debris:
Efforts are underway to salvage, remove, or donate downed tree debris responsibly. This process involves careful consideration of environmental impact and compliance with regulations governing the area.

We understand the impact this temporary closure may have on your outdoor activities and appreciate your continued support of the Parks Department. Our ultimate goal is to restore Tickle Creek Park & Trail to its former glory, providing a safe and enjoyable space for the entire community.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued support.

Rochelle Anderholm-Parsch
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Sandy Parks and Recreation Department

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Tickle Creek Trail
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