Aug. 1, 2025, KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A ribbon cutting held July 31 launched an expanded section of the Geo Trail, made possible in part by the work of Oregon Tech Civil Engineering students who created the design of a ramp to Crystal Terrace as their senior project in 2023.

The Geo Trail in Klamath Falls was constructed in 2016 as a community initiative. The nearly 2-mile-long recreational trail is above Oregon Tech and Sky Lakes Medical Center, providing scenic vistas of the Klamath Basin.

Conor Roark, Ashley Ripplinger, Hunter Stubbs, Zachary Walker, Mark Villanueva, and Lief Tuel collaborated with Justin Rodriguez, a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and member of the Klamath Trails Alliance Advisory Board, to create a design that would extend trail access for residents of the Crystal Terrace senior living facility and commuters traveling to Sky Lakes Medical Center. The team started the project during the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 terms of their senior design course, led by Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Jintai Wang, Ph.D., P.E.


Wang shared that the students completed a comprehensive civil engineering design process that included site inventory, alternative analysis, conceptual development, and a final drawing set with detailed calculations. The team also coordinated with key stakeholders from Crystal Terrace, Sky Lakes Medical Center, Oregon Tech, and members of the local senior community to ensure the project reflected real access needs and community priorities. The students have since graduated and moved on to begin their professional careers.

After graduating from Oregon Tech, Roark began a career in the site design sector of Civil Engineering at DOWL. “Working with the Klamath Trails Alliance on the design of the Geo Trail Expansion to Crystal Terrace provided me with invaluable experience in bringing a project to life,” he said. “Combining public input, existing conditions, and government regulations during our senior project helped me prepare for my current career and assisted me in better serving my community.”

“This project is a testament to the impact of student-driven innovation and the strength of meaningful community partnerships,” said Wang. “It also reflects the long-standing tradition of Oregon Tech’s civil engineering senior design program—hands-on, community-focused, and grounded in real-world practice.”

The student-developed concept helped advance the formal approval process with Oregon Tech and MBK Senior Living, which manages Crystal Terrace, by offering a clear, professional design vision. Rhine-Cross Group, a licensed local engineering firm, later reviewed and adjusted the plans where necessary to produce the final stamped set for construction approval.

“The reception from Crystal Terrace residents and neighbors has been very positive, and we have seen an increase in trail usage since the main part of the trail was constructed,” said Rodriguez. “We anticipate additional usage with completed access from the Crystal Terrace parking lot.”

The Geo Trail is maintained by the Klamath Trails Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting trails in the Klamath Basin.