Justin Hanson, who identified himself as the now‑former executive director of SKU Outdoor Recreation Alliance, presented the two‑year Sustainable Recreation Plan funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and described outreach results drawn from workshops, interviews and focus groups across South Siskiyou County.
Hanson said community input produced roughly 80 candidate projects and programs, with six priority projects the public elevated: a regional town‑to‑town multiuse trail linking Mount Shasta, McLeod and Dunsmuir with branded trailheads and QR guides; a Dunsmuir Head Creek Falls connector; the McLeod Around‑the‑Mountain Trail concept; improvements to the Lake City Delta Bridge; and trail and winter‑road access programs. Hanson also noted the recently completed Mount Shasta Nordic Center lodge ribbon opening and said the center is expected to increase visitation.
Hanson emphasized that having a community‑adopted plan makes projects more competitive for state, federal and regional funding. He and council members discussed land‑ownership constraints for some trail links and the need to cultivate relationships with private landowners or acquire easements or land. Hanson also described partner activities – for example, a "beer on the bench" quarterly meeting focused on trails and a single‑track summit for mountain‑bike organizations.
Council thanked Hanson for the work and accepted the report as an informational presentation; staff and volunteers will continue to pursue grant opportunities and private‑land agreements needed to realize the plan's projects.