Old Mill looks for ways to ease parking squeeze

(Update: More from Old Mill representative, adding video)

Finding a parking spot in Bend’s Old Mill District can be difficult at times, especially on busy summer weekends.

The shopping area’s managers said Monday they have recognized this problem and are always looking for ways to improve the parking situation.

The Old Mill District is working with the Bend Parks and Recreation District to create more options for people, especially for floaters on the river.

Julie Brown, Communications & Community Director for Bend Parks and Recreation District, said that they have embraced working together to solve this problem and provide parking options for everyone.

“We recognize that we have a lot of people using the parks and accessing the river,” Brown said. “Especially this time of year when we have a really nice day, so we are trying to make as many flexible parking options available for people.”

One of those parking options is a gravel parking lot owned by Deschutes Brewery.

The brewery allows people using the river to park in the lot on the corner of Columbia Street and Shevlin-Hixon Drive.

Noelle Fredland, marketing director for the Old Mill District, said that in exchange for use of the parking lot, the Old Mill has put up signs to stop people from parking along the roadway, to allow the brewery’s large trucks to make their way through.

“We have made one part of Columbia and a good portion of Shevlin-Hixon no parking,” Fredland said. “Mostly that’s to accommodate the large Deschutes trucks that are trying to head in for the warehouse.”

The Old Mill and Bend Parks and Rec encourage river floaters to use the shuttle that will be running through labor day when enjoying the river, and to also think about using the new bike share program that has been put in place in Bend.

Ultimately, the Old Mill District and Bend Parks and Rec have put parking rules in place so that everyone can enjoy the area.