A True Trail Leader

Overview:

Eagle Scout Jake Garner worked with his community to fix the Skills Area at Phil's Trailhead this summer.

When Jake Garner started looking for his Eagle Scout project this summer, he knew he wanted something that would make a real difference for fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The Troop 21 member and avid mountain biker connected with Central Oregon Trail Alliance and found the right match: The Skills Area at Phil’s Trailhead.

Phil’s Trailhead attracts mountain bikers of all ages and abilities, with a Skills Area featuring everything from strider courses and rollers to jumps, drop zones and open spaces for coaching sessions, along with safe viewing areas for parents and coaches. The features are designed for repeatability, allowing riders to practice moves as many times as needed to build confidence and skills they can take to the trails. The layout follows a progression from beginner-friendly features near the parking area to more advanced challenges that culminate at the current pump track and jumps.

Finding the right project

When Jake decided to help, COTA was already aware of needs at the Phil’s Trailhead Skills Area. They had done projects to build pump tracks and designated practice zones. COTA found that the Skills Area at the trailhead had been making do with aging orange safety fencing and needed better signage to help visitors navigate the space. After getting the green light from the Forest Service, Jake worked with COTA Trails Program Director Alex Brieger to install new fencing around the Skills Area at Phil’s Trailhead.

Building community partnerships

In addition to working with Brieger, Jake also connected with Mike Brasfield from the Deschutes National Forest, the Forest Service and local business owners. With help from Brasfield, Jake put together an official information kiosk complete with park guidelines and trail maps. Locally owned, family-run Miller Lumber donated custom cedar split rail fencing. Home Depot and Lowe’s stepped up with donated materials for the kiosk. Jake’s project was more than building; it was a collaborative community effort.

A collaborative success

COTA embraces collaborative projects, with the community. “We partner with all sorts of groups: the Sisters Trails Alliance, Oregon Equestrian Trails and Heart of Oregon Corps. We’ve had a couple of Boy Scouts in the past reach out. The last project was building a large kiosk for the South Deschutes County chapter of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance,” said Alex Brieger.

The upgraded trailhead was finished at the end of July. It features durable improvements that should serve the mountain biking community for years to come, thanks to this project from an ambitious local Eagle Scout.