Park Picks: Sawyer Park’s $3 million transformation takes shape

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In this week's Park Picks, we head out to Sawyer Park. The 53-acre natural area along the Deschutes River in Bend is undergoing a nearly $3 million improvement project.

The project is designed to enhance the park and is scheduled for completion by next summer.

The park offers a quiet escape just minutes from downtown Bend and is working to handle growing visitor use.

It is named after Robert Sawyer, an Oregon journalist and well-known conservationist.

Sawyer was the owner and editor of the Bend Bulletin for decades. He was also a nature enthusiast and an advocate for park spaces.

Julie Brown, a representative discussing the park, highlighted Sawyer's role, stating, “Sawyer was the owner and the editor of the Bend Bulletin for decades. He also was a really big, enthusiast and appreciator of nature and an advocate for park spaces….It's nice to be able to honor the role that he had in Bend's development over time.”

Sawyer Park was originally part of the Oregon State Park System, becoming a state park in 1931. Ownership transitioned from Oregon State Parks to the Bend Park and Recreation District in the early 1980s.

Brown noted the park's scale, saying, “It's definitely on the bigger side for the community parks that we have.” She also detailed its history, stating, “Sawyer Park became a state park in 1931. The ownership of it, transition from Oregon state parks to Bend Park and Recreation District, in the early 80s.”

Today, visitors to Sawyer Park can enjoy open green spaces, scenic trails, picnic areas and numerous opportunities to spot wildlife.

The park is particularly known for its bird population, with more than 140 species recorded in the area.

The Bend Park and Recreation District's improvement project will include a new parking area, habitat restoration, a permanent restroom, a picnic shelter and a river overlook.

The improvement project at Sawyer Park is set to be completed by next summer.