Hermiston, Oregon

initiative. Smith notes,“Another thing our Council has em- phasized is trying to improve the quality of life amenities in our community.One that is under construction right now is a new trail, approximately three-quarters of a mile long, that will connect to an existing trail systemwe have, and make it possible to loop through the town, either walking or riding a bike.”As of early November, the WHighland Ave.Trail, linking SW11th St and Riverfront Park, is nearing completion.The multi-use bicycle and pedestrian path along the south side of WHighland Ave. is part of the overall Hermiston Trail Loop being planned and constructed in various phases around the city. This phase was funded in large part by a grant from Oregon Department of Transportation, and includes a separated,multi-use pathway from SW 23rd St. to SW15th Place, sidewalk and bicycle lane paving from SW15th Place to SW11th St., a pe- destrian trail from SW23rd St. under the Umatilla River Bridge connecting to Riverfront Park, and the restriping of Highland Ave from SW14th Pl. to SW 11th St. to include a center turn lane.The restriping and center turn lane will be completed as part of a pavement preservation project for WHighland Ave. scheduled for 2019. The City of Hermiston, in conjunction with the Hermiston Futures Task Force, engaged more than 2,000 residents in a process to identify“livability assets”–in other words, the top projects the com- munity should focus on over the next 10 to 20 years, and be prepared to move forward on when oppor- tunities present themselves.The top assets identi- fied for the future are: www.stettlersupply.com Experts in the installation of water and wastewater mechanical piping and equipment. RECYCLE We encourage all area residents to take their glass, bottles, jars, tin, aluminum, newspapers, magazines and cardboard to these depots for recycling. L OCATIONS : 1. Hermiston: 220 W. Harper Rd. 2. Stanfield: W. Wood (by Grange Hall) 3. Echo: Across from park (at City Hall) 4. Umatilla: Hwy. 730 (next to Columbia Harvest Foods) 5. Umatilla County • N. Hwy 395 (next to Transfer Station) • 81144 N. Hwy. 395 6. Irrigon: 198 W. Columbia Lane 7. Boardman: S.E. Front Street SANITARY DISPOSAL INC. Hermiston/McNary • Highway, Hermiston 541-567-8842 HERMISTON, OREGON PREFERRED VENDORS n Sanitary Disposal Inc. www.hermiston.or.us/solidwaste_home n Stettler Supply Company www.stettlersupply.com Downtown Revitalization. Implementing the exist- ing Urban Renewal Plan, focusing dedicated urban renewal funding and other resources on developing projects which will attract visitors to the downtown. Parks/Trails/Open Space.The committee’s goal is developing more parks,with adequate park space near all residents of the community.With Hermiston at only 70 percent of national standards for park acreage, there’s room for more parks and recreation facilities. Indoor Aquatics Center.Amulti-use facility that extends Hermiston’s aquatic activities year-round. This facilitymay also include a family/youth activity center component. Youth/family activity center.ABoys & Girls Club, YMCA, or similar type of center to host affordable programs and activities for youth and their families that are also open to the entire community.This can be developed as a stand-alone facility, but the Com- mittee strongly recommends it be combined with the aquatics center. With a welcoming business climate, a lively Fes- tival atmosphere downtown, and a “livability”wish list fresh in people’s minds, Hermiston,Oregon is well on its way to a prosperous future “where life is sweet” indeed.