Federal grant to help Prineville plan Barnes Butte property

The future of the city of Prineville’s Barnes Butte property took a major step forward earlier this month.

The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program awarded a community assistance grant, valued at $25,000, to the city of Prineville earmarked to help complete the Barnes Butte Master Plan.

The NPS program, which supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation, lends non-financial planning and design assistance.

“What’s great about the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program is that we get to be part of local, community-driven efforts to design and improve natural areas like Barnes Butte,” said Barbara Rice, program manager for RTCA. “We work collaboratively with local residents to conserve and enhance these special places and create recreation opportunities.”

Purchased by the city from Brooks Resources for $1.2 million in early 2017, the Barnes Butte property is 460 acres of open space at the base of Barnes Butte, just north of the Prineville city limits. When combined with existing BLM land, the property connects the north and south ends of Prineville, giving residents and visitors access to more than 620 acres of open space.

Since its acquisition last year, the Barnes Butte Focus Committee has established walking trails and solicited public input. However, more help was needed to develop a master plan detailing the future of the park, which will move forward in 2019 thanks to the RTCA grant.

“We’re in a rare position to create a community asset that can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations of Prineville residents, as well as visitors to our beautiful city,” said Prineville Major Betty Roppe. “That’s a responsibility we take seriously, and why public involvement is so important.”

The Barnes Butte project is one of 40 projects in the Pacific West Region to receive assistance from the RTCA program for 2019.

Recognizing that this complex effort could extend beyond next year, the National Park Service has offered a second year of financial assistance should it be requested — an anticipated total award of $40,000.

Public meetings inviting community input will begin early in 2019.