Smart cities invest in their economic strengths.
Port towns invest in infrastructure for shipping and transportation. High tech cities invest in intellectual capital. Industrial cities build utilities and factories. Agricultural cities invest in irrigation and processing systems.
While we are fortunate in Bend to have a continually diversifying economy, the foundation of our economy is, and will likely continue to be, the extraordinary lifestyle offered here. From clean air, beautiful mountains, and sunny skies, to great parks, flowing rivers, and abundant trails, Bend’s extraordinary lifestyle is what separates our city from “Any Town U.S.A.” It’s also the leading catalyst for long-term investment into our community.
The Headwaters Study commissioned by EDCO in 2010 found that “what brought many individuals and businesses to Central Oregon is not necessarily what sustains enterprises.” Prior to this study, we knew anecdotally of the important link between lifestyle and our economic vitality, but the Headwaters Study quantified just how important lifestyle and recreation are to recruiting new tourists, jobs and residents to Central Oregon.On the November ballot, Bend residents will have an opportunity to invest in our economy. If approved, Measure 9-86 will generate $29 million to complete Bend’s trail system, improve river safety and access, preserve natural areas, improve river water quality, and create new recreational facilities.
Let there be no doubt, Bend is in the business of lifestyle and recreation. Let’s make an investment in Bend’s primary economic strength by voting yes on Measure 9-86.
This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2012.
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When the majority of the employees of Park and Rec consider 9-86 to be motivated by an agenda of Don Horton instead of a benefit for the good of the community, I can’t see voting for it. This measure provides facilities to a very small group of residents (the ice rink) at an extreme cost and never assures construction of the Colorado Street spillway revamp. Parks and Rec does a good job overall but Don Horton and company has placed their agenda ahead of public good with this measure.
I agree, it seems to benefit a small number of people. I would be for just investing in existing, new parks and programming. But an ice rink and water play area seem obscene in the current economic situation. It appeals to such a small number of tourists and locals. The Deschutes River and the parking is already such mess in this area in the summer, do we really want to make it worse?
The prior comments are misleading when they refer to the 9-86 bond measure only impacting a “very small group”. Almost half of the bond goes to the purchase of land for future parks. And the Colorado Dam redesign will convert an area of the river that must be avoided by thousands of local tubers, paddlers, SUP enthusiasts into a safe by-pass creating an exciting and safe place for people of all ages to enjoy. That project is virtually “shovel ready” and has broad based community support. Should the bond pass, Bend Paddle Trail Alliance will lead the effort for private funding to add the whitewater features but the bond provides that opportunity. Without it we will have two wonderful parks surrounding an dam that presents known hazards and miss the opportunity to develop an area that would truly have something for everyone.
Hey there Mr. Happy and KG
Thanks for sharing your opinion here and thanks so much to Doug LaPlaca for his eloquent and succinct writing on a topic that is almost impossible to fit into a short editorial.
To answer the first comment from Mr. Happy, BPR employees and board members are not allowed to actively campaign for the Bond Measure, which might be why you have received some mixed responses from employees.
It is easy for folks to write the Bon off as something that will only benefit “a very small group of residents,” but it is important for us to look beyond the racier aspects – the safe passage at the Colorado Spillway, the “ice rink” – and see that the largest portion of the monetary pie is actually going to land acquisitions and park developments that will preserve wild spaces in Bend for generations to come. This has been a little understated during the campaign because it is hard to explain in its entirety and because BPR probably does not wish to draw too much attention to the land they are trying to acquire.
These new parks, like Drake Park or Shevlin Park, will continue to define the character of Bend, and as we look back and thank Bend’s early developers for saving Drake Park, 100 years from now others will be thanking us.
We can act out of fear and scarcity, or act out of hope, generosity and abundance.
I know it can feel like bills keep piling up and everyone wants one more piece of what we have. It’s human to keep our resources secure and assure our own survival. But I think… I hope… most of us live in Bend because we have chosen another life, where our shared resources (parks and natural places), environment (clean air/clean water), and community (we’re all about one-degree of separation from eachother) take priority.
Let’s own this choice and this lifestyle and invest in it. We have the chance to define prosperity on our own terms.
YES ON 9-86!
Hey there Mr. Happy and KG
Thanks for sharing your opinion here and thanks so much to Doug LaPlaca for his eloquent and succinct writing on a topic that is almost impossible to fit into a short editorial.
To answer the first comment from Mr. Happy, BPR employees and board members are not allowed to actively campaign for the Bond Measure, which might be why you have received some mixed responses from employees.
It is easy for folks to write the Bon off as something that will only benefit “a very small group of residents,” but it is important for us to look beyond the racier aspects – the safe passage at the Colorado Spillway, the “ice rink” – and see that the largest portion of the monetary pie is actually going to land acquisitions and park developments that will preserve wild spaces in Bend for generations to come. This has been a little understated during the campaign because it is hard to explain in its entirety and because BPR probably does not wish to draw too much attention to the land they are trying to acquire.
These new parks, like Drake Park or Shevlin Park, will continue to define the character of Bend, and as we look back and thank Bend’s early developers for saving Drake Park, 100 years from now others will be thanking us.
We can act out of fear and scarcity, or act out of hope, generosity and abundance.
I know it can feel like bills keep piling up and everyone wants one more piece of what we have. It’s human to keep our resources secure and assure our own survival. But I think… I hope… most of us live in Bend because we have chosen another life, where our shared resources (parks and natural places), environment (clean air/clean water), and community (we’re all about one-degree of separation from eachother) take priority.
Let’s own this choice and this lifestyle and invest in it. We have the chance to define prosperity on our own terms.
YES ON 9-86!
I’m not sure what the motivation is behind Mr. Happy, but this list of projects is not mine. It is a list that has been crafted over the past 8 years through numerous community surveys, community meetings, and consultation with many user groups. Thanks to all the fine people at the Paddle Trail Alliance, RUSH Soccer, and Bend Ice and MANY others who have promoted their projects and needs for years. Believe me, this isn’t about me. It’s about the community. The Source would have fewer people making ridicules comments if the identity of the writer was revealed.
Where is the transparency? There are virtually no details about how the money will be spent. The only ‘real’ cost I can find for any of the projects is for the roundabout by the Simpson property. The Simpson Park and Ride lot has not been master planned yet. The MOU with OSU-Cascades provides no details – we don’t even know if this is where OSU will move to. Give me some real numbers before asking me to add $30,000,000 to the Parks and Rec. slush fund. I would like to see a break down of the costs of each project and what is actually provided.
We have a great park system in Bend, and a very well funded Parks District – maybe the best in the state. In an era of dramatic cutbacks in personal income, and budget problems at the City, PLEASE don’t ask me to fund a lot of pet projects without actually providing useful and detailed information as to how the money will be spent. Generalities don’t work in this economic environment.
I say yes to measure 9-86 because my school and i do a lot of hiking and it make it be able to walk to the new school location next year. Hiking is great and fun to do when it a nice day out and people would be able to see some wildlife on the trails.