New Farewell Bend Bridge Opens Sept. 10 Starting Saturday September 10, people in Bend can once again use the Farewell Bend pedestrian bridge, according to the Bend Park and Recreation District. The District and its contractors removed the old 75-year-old bridge—once used for logging work—earlier this year, with plans to replace it with a steel […]
Bend Park and Recreation District
Posted inOpinion
High Satisfaction in Parks, Despite Setbacks
On June 9, the Bend Park & Recreation District was forced to close its new Whitewater Park due to safety concerns. The park, meant to offer a safe passage for recreational floaters as well as a fun zone for more advanced whitewater enthusiasts, was expected to be a huge draw for the area—so a rapid […]
Posted inOutside
Go Here 5/18-5/25
Kids Learn to Fish The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a day of fishing for kids who want to learn how to angle May 21 at Pine Nursery Pond. ODFW will loan out fishing rods, reels, tackle and some bait on a first-come, first-serve basis between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kids […]
Posted inNews
A More Livable Bend
Bend Livability Project engages community in creating change
Bend’s growth is inevitable. Draft projections from Portland State University predict that the city’s population will surpass 130,000 in 20 years. With this in mind, in what way the city grows is both a subject of deep concern and an opportunity for the community to help shape the future. The inaugural Bend Livability Project is […]
Posted inOutside
Go Here 2/3-2/10
We are still in high winter season as we roll into February and the Bend Park and Recreation District is offering a series of classes and outings taking advantage of snow. For those with some cross country ski experience, a Continuing XC Ski course that works on skill development is a good way to experience […]
Posted inOpinion
A Step Back To Find a Way Forward
When we interviewed candidates for Bend Park & Recreation District (BPRD) Board in May, then-sitting Chair Dan Fishkin told us that he would support waiving “system development charges” (SDCs), a fee that housing developers pay toward Park District (and City) projects, if the rest of the Board approved the idea. At the time, the idea […]
Posted inNews
A new water feature at Pine Nursery Park—or overactive sprinklers?
Today, we received an email from a reader concerned about the use of water at Pine Nursery Park. Michael Rich, an employee of the U.S. Forest Services (whose local office neighbors the park), took a short video that appears to show sprinklers watering large swaths of pavement and creating ponds in landscaped areas. “I feel […]
Posted inNews
Doing the Dam Thing
A plan for Mirror Pond moves forward despite dissent
When the Mirror Pond Ad-Hoc Committee first presented its hybrid proposal for addressing the failing Newport Avenue dam last November, the plan was well received. For a time, it seemed as if the committee had accomplished the impossible—bridging the chasm of public opinion between those who want to repair the dam and save Mirror Pond […]
Posted inNews
City Council Votes 4-3 to Support Mirror Pond Redevelopment Plan
Lat night, City Council narrowly voted to support a plan put forth by the Mirror Pond Ad Hoc Committee and recently approved by the Bend Park & Recreation District Board, to replace the failing dam with a more natural feature that would maintain Mirror Pond. The proposal’s success relies on a public-private partnership and investment […]