Future of Big Sky Park expansion up for debate

The future of Big Sky Park and a proposed expansion plan was brought in front of the Deschutes County commissioners Monday evening.

The hearing room was packed as many people came out to voice their opinion on the addition of the most contentious element, a bike park.

Commissioners heard an appeal filed by the Bend Parks and Recreation District of a decision by a hearings officer who also heard testimony from the agency and neighbors, then denied some elements of the proposed expansion, like the use of amplified sound at bike events and field lighting.

The parks and rec district also appealed the decision to be able to hold biking events at the park with amplified sound.

Those who support the bike park said it would be a great addition to Big Sky Park.

Woody Keen of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance has been working with the park district for years to get a bike park put in.

He said he believes that putting a bike park on the east side of town is something that would greatly benefit the community.

“Riding a bike in a bike park is just that — there are no rules,” Woody said. “You just get on your bike and you go ride on a pump track. It is in fact unstructured play, it’s really creative, it’s fun — kids, again, absolutely love bike parks.”

Those who oppose that part of the planned expansion are mostly those who live near the park.

They said the impact of the bike park and the noise and added traffic it will add to the park will cause problems. They also said the rural nature of the area does not fit the project that’s proposed.

County Commissioner Phil Henderson said it’s a tough decision to make as they work to weigh everyone’s opinions.

“The thing that’s really unique about this is that this is a park that is completely out in county land, so it’s still a rural area,” he said. “It’s not like a park on the west side of Bend, where it’s right in the middle of town, and everybody knows it’s that way.” Henderson said. “So I think it’s a matter of somewhat changing expectations for the area, and what you think you built your house near or around.”

Commissioners will keep open the written record until Nov. 5, then a rebuttal period will occur until Nov. 13.

After that, the park district will have until Nov. 20 to submit their final arguments on the matter, before the commissioners make their decision.