Lincoln City: Villages at Cascade Head – open to motorized traffic on limited basis
From Lincoln City City Manager David Hawker
The City of Lincoln City will open the paved surface of N.E. Devil’s Lake Boulevard within “The Villages at Cascade Head” to motorized traffic on the last Saturday of the month for the months of May, June, July, August and September 2014. Those dates are May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, and September 27. The paved surface will be open to vehicles from 7 am until dusk. Vehicles will not be allowed to access non-paved areas. In addition, no commercial vehicles will be allowed on those dates, and all off-road vehicle use will remain prohibited.
The City of Lincoln City purchased the Villages at Cascade Head in May 2013. The 363 acre property is the subject of an environmentally-friendly development that was foreclosed upon. It provides habitat for a number of protected species of animals and plants and includes the northern end of the City’s Head to Bay Trail.
The City purchased the property with the long-term goal of facilitating private development in accordance with the approved, environmentally-friendly master plan. In the meantime, the City Council designated the property as an interim park for the benefit of the public. The property is always open to pedestrians and bicyclists, and there are two parking spaces in front of the pedestrian gate. The property is generally closed to vehicular traffic; however, the City Council gave the City Manager authorization to periodically open the paved road surface within the Villages to make sure citizens who may not be able to access the property on foot get the chance to enjoy it.
“The Villages at Cascade Head is beautiful country” said David Hawker, City Manager, City of Lincoln City. “It is a wonderful place to see coastal flora and fauna, and I am pleased that City residents have the opportunity to enjoy it. By opening the road to vehicles on a limited basis, we will allow all of our residents to explore this special place in a way that will not harm the existing infrastructure and environment.”