Big Sky Park expansion plans spark debate

The Bend Park and Recreation District’s Big Sky Park expansion project drew mixed public testimony Tuesday evening at a Deschutes County land-use hearing.

The park district finalized its plans last year and looks to move forward with the addition of a bike park and expansion of an off-leash dog park and additional lighting among other amenities.

Many people showed up at the hearings officer’s continued public hearing to show their support of the planned bike park and other proposed amenities.

Those opposed expressed concern about the changes to the park and the impacts that may change their neighborhood.

Woody Keen lives in Bend and is in favor of the park expansion. He said he believes there is a need for the new bike park.

“I fully support this proposed bike park, and I would encourage the issuance of the conditional use permit to allow Big Sky to move forward,” Keen said.

Meanwhile, others, like Fred Less, who lives near the park, said they believe it could be a problem for those that live nearby, if it’s not properly handled.

“Just changing the blueprint of the whole park,” Less said. “And I don’t see how you can come to grips with that. I’ve been thinking today, what’s the biggest concern that I have is the chaos that it’s going to cause.”

Park district officials said they are open to conditions of approval that could help to lessen impacts and ease the concerns of those who oppose parts of the expansion.

The hearings officer left the record open for written statements and rebuttals until Aug. 7.