McDonald-DunnTrails for Tomorrow
View of the Willamette Valley and forested hills from Dimple Hill
MCDONALD–DUNN RESEARCH FORESTS · CORVALLIS, OREGON

The future of our trails is worth speaking up for.

More connected trails. More ways to explore. A thriving working forest that welcomes our community.

Help with the Snack Time appealUnderstand what's happening ↓
DIMPLE HILL · MCDONALD FOREST
01 / THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE

The Snack Time approval is being appealed.

OSU and community volunteers have helped expand recreation opportunities in McDonald-Dunn Research Forests. Now a county appeal is challenging approval of the Snack Time trail. Here is what is happening and how to participate.

OSU proposed adding the approximately 0.94-mile Snack Time trail to its approved Recreation Development Plan. Benton County approved the modification on September 18, 2026, but that decision has been appealed to the Planning Commission (case LU-26-030). The appeal puts this particular approval under review, making public testimony important. The larger conversation is about how responsible recreation can grow alongside forestry, research, and ecological stewardship.

Upcoming public hearing

The appeal hearing is tentatively planned for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The regular Planning Commission meeting is listed for 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, with an online option. Confirm that this case is on the final agenda and check the testimony deadline before attending. Reference LU-26-030 in your comments.

View appeal documentsHearing information
People walking together through the forest
FOR EVERY GENERATION
Mountain bikers riding forest singletrack
FOR EVERY KIND OF ADVENTURE
Creek flowing through a wooded landscape
FOR THE PLACES WE LOVE
02 / SEND YOUR TESTIMONY

Tell the County
why it matters to you.

Share your perspective on the Snack Time appeal (LU-26-030). Describe what matters to you, generate an editable draft, and send it from your own email app. The County is reviewing this specific land-use decision.

YOUR MESSAGE · LU-26-030

Tip: Mention the specific decision, be accurate, and use your own words. General support for recreation is useful context, but case-specific testimony is stronger.

Runs in your browser; no account needed.

This is a local, template-based writing helper, not generative AI. Drafting runs in your browser. Your draft and personal message are not stored by this site. Confirmation records are stored without your testimony or name; your email provider processes anything you choose to send. Written testimony submitted to the County may become part of the public record.

03 / THE BIGGER VISION

Imagine what this forest could be.

A thoughtful network of well-marked, sustainable trails with more connections, more choices, and more reasons to explore.

Short family outings. Longer hiking and running loops. Routes for different skill levels. Singletrack connections that complement the forest's existing gravel roads. Access designed with the forest's working mission in mind.

This isn't about replacing forestry or research. It's about showing that conservation, education, timber management, and responsible public recreation can coexist.

Read OSU's Visitor Use Management Plan overview ↗
Young rider resting at a scenic overlook on Dimple HillTHE NEXT GENERATION DESERVES A FOREST THEY CAN EXPLORE.
04 / OSU’S LONG-TERM PLANNING

There’s already a plan in motion.

OSU is developing a Visitor Use Management Plan for McDonald-Dunn. The community should have a meaningful voice in what comes next.

According to OSU’s published overview, the plan is intended to include a five- to ten-year trail development plan, public engagement and volunteer strategies, and a community wish list. The published schedule calls for draft development and partner consultation in June–December 2026, with publication planned for early 2027.

The current status of that timeline and opportunities for further public input have not been independently confirmed. This is an invitation to engage constructively with OSU, not a claim that any particular trail has been approved.

Read OSU’s published plan overview ↗
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Every voice helps.

People who have reported sending testimony on the Snack Time appeal through this site. Self-reported, not independently verified or a count of all County submissions.

—reported submissions
05 / KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

Make the conversation bigger.

01

Read the appeal

Read the original application, staff report, decision and appeal so your comment addresses the actual land-use decision.

County case page ↗
02

Show up

The November 3 regular meeting is listed for 6 p.m., but verify that LU-26-030 appears on the final agenda and check participation instructions.

Meeting information ↗
03

Share the message

Send this page to a neighbor, runner, hiker, rider, or friend who cares about the forest.

Sunlight streaming through tall forest trees
TRAILS FOR TOMORROW

Good trails don't happen by accident.

They take planning, partnership, stewardship, and people willing to speak up.

Add your voice ↗