Input Sought on Bend Parks Bond Proposal

The Bend Park and Recreation District is proposing a $31 million bond measure for six park and trail projects for the fall ballot, but first it wants community feedback.The projects include expanding the Deschutes River Trail to Sunriver and making the Colorado Avenue Dam spillway safer.

Depending on the feedback, the plan could change to include more or less of what the community wants, to be voted on in November.

“We just really encourage people to tell us what they think,” Community Relations Manager Jan Taylor said Friday. “Tell us which projects matter to them, and tell us if they really think this is the time to ask the community for a bond.”

Bend homeowners would pay for the bond through a property tax hike. A person who owns a $200,000 house would pay about $5 more every month to help pay for the projects.

Two major projects take up a lot of the money. The first, completing the Deschutes River Trail, which Taylor said the community has been talking about for well over 20 years.

“We have an opportunity now to complete the Deschutes River project, all the way from Tumalo State Park to Sunriver,” Taylor said. “A trail system that’s connected would be a community vision come true.”

The second project would create a safe passage around the Colorado Avenue spillway for people floating the Deschutes river through Bend. It’s proven to be a dangerous area in the past, including last summer.

“Prior to 2005, floating down the Deschutes River was not legal,” Taylor said. “After Farewell Bend and River Bend parks were developed, and it became legal, floating down the Deschutes River has become greatly popular.”

The other projects include adding more park land in southeast Bend, adding a community “recreation-education park” on Simpson Avenue and upgrading Pine Nursery Park.

Once it receives feedback, the district hopes to make a decision for the ballot measure by June.

Bend Park and Rec held an open house Thursday night and will hold another one next Thursday. People can also drop by the office and fill out a comment card during regular business hours or submit feedback online.

Learn more about the projects here on the park district’s Website.