Deschutes River Trail closure during concerts causes frustration for some locals

(Update: Adding video and poll, clarifying information, statements from marketing director of Hayden Homes Amphitheater)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Hayden Homes Amphitheater is a popular place for locals and visitors to go enjoy a big lineup of concerts during the summer season. But those who want to enjoy the Deschutes River Trail during those concerts are out of luck.

William Smith Properties built the river trail in 1999 as part of the master plan for the Old Mill District.

In 2013, the developers of the Old Mill and the then-Les Schwab Amphitheater reached an agreement with the Bend Park and Recreation District, granting them easement rights to their property.

Section 6 of the agreement allows the developer to suspend public access to the river trail during concerts.

Hayden Homes became title sponsor of the venue in 2021.

Trident Security has a private contract with the venue to close the trail for concerts. They monitor the trail on concert nights, from when the gates open to the end of the show.

We were asked not to interview people using the trail on Thursday, but many locals have voiced their criticisms of the decade-old policy on social media.

Beau Eastes, marketing director for the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater, told us, "We hire a third party (for) security ... it mans the trail, and they're concierge as much as anything, explaining to people, 'Hey, it's less than a three-block accessible reroute on the paved sidewalk that goes right in front of the shops."

Without the closure, Eastes said, the amphitheater was losing money, as artists began avoiding the venue.

"What we were finding in the early days of when we opened the amphitheater ... in 2002 is that it was getting to the point where there were more people watching the concert for free outside of the venue than there were inside. And what happened is, bands started to they didn't want to come here because of that," Eastes said.