Current information on living in Dallas OR (Salem, Rickreall: sale, city hall)

[Nester2]

Do you know what the plan will be for the mill by the new owners? Buyers of the mill at Chelatchie Prairie in WA just wanted the equipment - shipped it to Japan. Land still stands vacant.

[Halfmoonbaby]

Hi there, my wife and I are also looking at moving to the area. Hope you don't mind us asking a question....In terms of sunshine and weather (Winter and Summer months), how would you compare Dallas with an area (like Toledo) on the other side of the hills?
Thanks

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Halfmoonbaby

Hi there, my wife and I are also looking at moving to the area. Hope you don't mind us asking a question....In terms of sunshine and weather (Winter and Summer months), how would you compare Dallas with an area (like Toledo) on the other side of the hills?
Thanks

Dryer, less fog.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Nester2

Do you know what the plan will be for the mill by the new owners? Buyers of the mill at Chelatchie Prairie in WA just wanted the equipment - shipped it to Japan. Land still stands vacant.

Dallas mill site auction in works - Polk County Itemizer-Observer

If there is no bid on the whole property it is to be subdivided into about eight units for sale. The mill is almost certainly gone this time. The equipment is offered as a unit also.

[Nester2]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Dallas mill site auction in works - Polk County Itemizer-Observer

If there is no bid on the whole property it is to be subdivided into about eight units for sale. The mill is almost certainly gone this time. The equipment is offered as a unit also.

Thanks, Steve. I actually have read the online Itemizer-Observer a few times - I must have missed this article. I would think the sale of this property would be a good thing for the community. BTW, in an earlier post you referred to an area of Dallas as having some drug problems, economic problems? I think most towns experience this to some degree no matter where you are. But where, in your opinion, would the parameters be for this area by streets? I search the Windermere map site daily for homes that might fit our needs/price range and since I don't know the town I would appreciate this information.

[Steve Pickering]

There is a large trailer park off Ellendale Road known locally as "Fellony Flats". Most of the local drug activity and daily, yes I said daily, police visits happen there.

[Nester2]

Hi again - still looking seriously at Dallas. Have been doing a lot of data collecting. I am very interested in the main city park and the trail that is being constructed. I see that phase 3 has been completed but the map on the city website is difficult to read even when zoomed. It appears that the trail is being constructed in segments that do not connect at this time. I understand there are several more phases to come when more grant money is acquired. Has anyone actually walked/biked any portion of this trail? I'd like to know someone's first hand experience.

Also, I'd like to know anyone's experiences at Basket Slough Wildlife Refuge. Looks great. Has anyone seen anything more than birds? What are the trails like? (I know this is not a park so bikes are not allowed) Are you able to still really see anything between October and April when they close the major portion of the refuge for the geese?

[Steve Pickering]

Basket Slough is "OK". Notice I said OK. You have a huge refuge just 20 miles away by Adair.

[Nester2]

Thanks - I see the EE Wilson Game Management area near Adair and the Ankeny Refuge near Jefferson. Both look like good places to visit. I'm looking for day hikes close to Dallas. Also found good information on the USFS site. Right now husband can just head out the front door onto the path and within a couple of minutes access USFS land for hikes in the early mornings. He will miss this so just trying to find something that might be close. Anyone know of any day hikes close to Dallas? Maybe within 15 minutes?

[Steve Pickering]

Depends on where you live here, but you can do the same thing out the frontdoor. We'll let you.