Friends of the Columbia Gorge continues to lead in protecting the Gorge’s natural beauty while deepening connections with local communities. A recent milestone in this effort is the finalization of a trail easement linking Mosier’s Pocket Park to the scenic Mosier Plateau Preserve—a project years in the making.
The Pocket Park and popular swimming hole above Mosier Creek Falls have long served as a summer refuge in this dry part of the Gorge. But the area included a mix of city-owned and private lands, creating access conflicts.
In the early 2000s, local landowners David and LaVonne Povey donated 3.82 acres—including part of Mosier Creek Falls—to the City of Mosier for public use. David Povey, former head of the urban and regional planning department at the University of Oregon, had a deep understanding of balancing recreation and conservation. His legacy includes leading a 1987 study on the economics of windsurfing in the Gorge, which helped inform the original Recreation Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. He also founded the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) program, which embeds graduate students in rural communities to build local capacity.
Following the Poveys’ donation, Pocket Park trails were formalized, but they deadended at the falls. In 2007, Friends acquired Mosier Plateau from the Russell family, and dreams of a trail connection to the plateau began to take shape. This vision would later inspire Friends’ Gorge Towns to Trails initiative.
In 2009, Friends Land Trust Manager Kate McBride approached the Poveys about a connector trail across their land. They agreed to a trail license, and Friends secured development permits to build the connection, thanks to collaboration between the Poveys, Friends, and the City of Mosier.
Now used daily by residents, visitors, and Mosier Community School students, the Mosier trail is a powerful example of community-driven conservation.
After the Poveys passed away, their children, Zach Povey and Kari Boss, generously donated the trail license area as a permanent easement to protect the connection in perpetuity. Friends Senior Planner Nick Kraemer, a RARE program alum himself, worked with the Povey family to finalize the survey and recording. While the easement covers just 150 feet of trail, it symbolizes the power of partnerships in preserving access to cherished places. Friends is deeply grateful to the Povey family for their enduring contribution.
