NEWBERG, Ore. — A signature campaign is underway for a ballot initiative that would create a “Rural Heritage Park” designation restricting future use of qualifying Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD) properties, including Bob and Crystal Rilee Park, following the CPRD board’s June 25 vote to allow mountain biking at the park.
The initiative, backed by a petition committee called Protect Heritage Parks which includes current CPRD board directors Jason Fields and Matt Smith as petitioners, began circulating for signatures July 28. To qualify for the November ballot, organizers must collect just over 2,600 valid signatures from registered voters within CPRD’s boundaries, according to chief petitioner John Rueter.
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