We ask that Deschutes County residents be given permission to use the trails from September 1 to October 15, especially the less used trails.

As summer winds down, many of us in Bend, Oregon are realizing we have not hiked the trails we used to enjoy. For too long, access to trails has been too restricted. Permits are difficult to get, even when people log in at the required time of 7 a.m. and keep trying day after day. 

At the same time, roads under construction make it harder to get around town, and the steady flow of tourists visiting Bend adds even more strain.

We are not asking to shut anyone out. We are asking for a fair window when local residents can use the trails more freely, with special attention to the trails that are less used or hours or days of the week that are manageable. That would give the people who live here a  chance to enjoy the land they support and care for.

This would also strengthen community ties and support the trails themselves. When residents can spend time on these trails, they are more likely to feel invested in their care and future. We believe a limited seasonal allowance for Deschutes County residents would be a reasonable and practical way to share the trails more fairly while still welcoming visitors.

We ask decision-makers to consider this request seriously and act in the interest of the people who call this place home.
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