Jacksonville Review – September 2024

THE JACKSONVILLE WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION (JWA) and the City of Jacksonville have had a long-held goal of installing a modern pit toilet in the Woodlands to meet the needs of local hikers and the many tourists who daily use the trails. A location has been determined at the beginning of the Rich Gulch Trail, just above the upper Britt parking lot. Jacksonville is widely known for its well-preserved historical district, many wineries, the Britt music Festival, and over sixty miles of trails on 1,735 acres of protected and well-maintained city parks.

The city, volunteers and the Jacksonville Woodlands Association work to keep these parks in top condition which includes benches, information kiosks, trail signage, bridges, and shelters in both the Forest Park and the Jacksonville Woodlands. Five years ago, a modern vault toilet was installed in Forest Park funded by grants, city funds, and private donations. The time is urgent that the same style and design of vault toilet be put in the Woodlands. These toilets are well built, pre-assembled, and installed by a well-known manufacturer. They are expensive and need to be funded by a combination of city funds, Jacksonville Woodlands funds, foundation grants, and private donations. The Jacksonville Woodlands and the city have already committed funding for over half of the expenditure, and the JWA is undertaking the submission of grants to further raise funds for the toilet.

We are fortunate that this project qualifies for the “system development” side of the city budget so it will not impact the city’s limited general fund budget. Still, private donations and support are critical to the success of the funding project. Please look for the sign that marks the site of the toilet location. It contains donation envelopes for making a donation to the JWA fund raising effort. Also, donations can be made directly to the Jacksonville Woodlands for this project. Please show your support by making a donation either via the donation envelopes at the site, or by mail to Jacksonville Woodlands Association, P.O. Box 1210, Jacksonville OR 97530. The Jacksonville Woodlands Association thanks you in advance for your donation!