WASHOUGAL — The city of Washougal has repaired a section of Jemtegaard Trail after the pedestrian path was vandalized multiple times earlier this year.
Vandalism in late March and early April resulted in the destruction of safety fencing, caution signage and pieces of the trail’s infrastructure being thrown into Gibbons Creek, according to a news release from the city.
“Such actions pose serious risks to the safety of trail users, including students and community members,” the news release said.
The city was able to salvage the fencing and signage, installed in 2023 to warn pedestrians and cyclists to stay on the asphalt path due to nearby erosion.
The city was able to clean up the vandalism at “very minimal cost,” according to Washougal Public Works Director Trevor Evers, who said the city did not file a police report.
“We urge all trail users and families with students who frequent this path to recognize that tampering with safety measures jeopardizes the safety of everyone who relies on this route,” the city said in the release.
The city is moving forward with work to repair the erosion, according to Evers.
“Currently, there is no discussion of closing the trail. However, the creek is getting close to the edge of the asphalt trail,” Evers said. “The city is working with the designer to evaluate current conditions to determine safety concerns.”
The city agreed to a $69,854 contract with Portland-based PBS Engineering and Environmental to repair the bank in October 2023, and will hire a contractor once design work is complete, Evers said.
“A portion of the existing trail will be realigned away from Gibbons Creek to avoid trail substrate failure due to the undercutting action of Gibbons Creek,” said Evers, who estimated that the project will cost $335,000 and be completed by autumn 2025.
“I think it’s a very important trail, especially for students,” Mayor David Stuebe told The Post-Record in October. “I would like to be able to see (the erosion situation) rectified, but we have to do it the right way, and sometimes it costs a little bit of money.”
The trail, which was completed in April 2021, links Jemtegaard Middle School and Columbia Gorge Elementary School to Sunset View Road, where it becomes a sidewalk that connects to the Sunset Ridge neighborhood. The lighted path includes a small bridge, with a pedestrian-activated flashing beacon at the intersection of Sunset View Road and Sunset Ridge Drive.
