From our Friends of Crystal Rilee Park:
At the most recent Chehalem Parks and Recreation District Board meeting on January 22, that due to changes within the CPRD board, there is emerging discussion about revoking the previous decision that honored the park land donor’s intent to keep Crystal Rilee Park designated for equestrians and hikers only. Permitting mountain bikes in the park, in our opinion, would be a major step backwards for the park, the trails, and everyone who has worked so hard to protect this space for the equine community.
At the meeting, CPRD Board President Jim McMasters implied that a new vote would occur at the February meeting. As we head toward this February 26th meeting, we are officially in rally mode and need voices, support, and advocacy to show how much this park matters.
CALL TO ACTION : Please 1) Attend the February 26 meeting, AND 2) Email the CPRD Board now, ahead of the meeting, to respectfully provide your perspective. Consider the following in your correspondence:
– Request CPRD to honor the donor’s original intent for equestrian and hiker use only. Commitment to the most recently approved Master Plan. Designate a new park exclusively for mountain bikes, as promised, from the many land parcel options within the district, and avoid flip-flopping the decision.
– Safety concerns: Mountain bikes and other current park users (hikers, horses, dog walkers) don’t mix. This decision would be an accident waiting to happen and introduce liability to users, the CPRD, and burdens local taxpayers with the bills.
– Equestrians only have this one park within CPRD to ride without mountain bikes. The bikes have numerous other options within the district.
– Crystal Rilee Park Equestrians have just begun! As a community, they are excited to continue partnering with CPRD by devoting time, financial, and other resources to the effort. The community’s donation of all-weather footing on the East side has been so well received by equestrians and hikers alike! Next on the list: Additional all-weather footing on the West side and an off-leash dog area.
Help to preserve the beautiful park, the intentions of the Park’s donors, and a place for safe equestrian community riding by RESPECTFULLY contacting the Board!
Board: Jim McMaster, Nick Konen, Matt Smith, Brandon Slyter and Jason Fields
Public Information Director: Kat Ricker
Board and Public Information emails:: jmcmaster@board.cprdnewberg.org; nkonen@board.cprdnewberg.org; msmith@board.cprdnewberg.org; bslyter@board.cprdnewberg.org; jfields@board.cprdnewberg.org; kricker@cprdnewberg.org
The Board meeting is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and make a statement of record to the board in support of upholding the current use and maintaining the donor’s original intent.
125 S Elliott Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
February 26th, 2026
6:00 PM