Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) recently hosted the Rocky Mountain State Park Managers Summit with over 110 participants from 13 states during a rainy April week. The summit included a site visit to the Amanda Trail, Suspension Bridge, and Gathering Area on Thursday, April 20th. Speakers included Joanne Kittel, Co-chair of View the Future, and Peter Hatch, Historical Researcher/Cultural Resources Technician of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI). OPRD staff presenting included Stacy Scott, Coast Archaeologist; Helena Kesch, Tribal Relations, and ADA Coordinator; Lisa Sumption, OPRD Director; J.R. Collier, Region Coordinator and Dennis Comfort, Coast Region Manager. Additional OPRD staff present were Tara McDowell, Coast Program Coordinator, and Matt Rippee, Deputy Director of Field Services.
Twelve vans took small groups at intervals to the Amanda site where presentations were provided. Participants were stunned by the beauty of the Amanda area, but equally awed by the story behind the Amanda Trail. Additionally, the groups were impressed by the cooperative and trusting partnerships that have been achieved making the seemingly impossible, possible.
