Oregon State Parks approves over 99k in grant funds for Eastern Oregon avalanche safety and trail work
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
NORTHEAST OREGON – During a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 22, The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved 17 grants, totaling $ 2,065,768, as part of the federally administered Recreation Trails Program. Among them, two projects impacting Northeast Oregon made the list.
The first project, submitted by the Wallowa Avalanche Center, received $26,754 thousand dollars (originally requesting $33,443) for Avalanche Safety and Education in Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties. As specifically written in the RTP grant request document:
“Provide avalanche forecasts and regular avalanche safety classes for winter recreationists, including snowmobilers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and Nordic skiers.”
The second approved project, submitted by the Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association, received $72,592 (originally requesting $101,068) to replace damaged trail signs across Baker, Grant, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa Counties, along with the BC Creek Trail Bridge. As again written in the RTP document:
“Replace about 130 weathered, damaged, or missing trail signs and the BC Creek trail bridge in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and about another 20 trail signs in the North Fork John Day Wilderness.”
