Oregon State Marine Board approves $300,000 grant to Bend Park & Rec District for Miller’s Landing boat launch

ASTORIA, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon State Marine Board held its quarterly hybrid meeting in Astoria and online last week and approved several statewide boating facility grants, including $300,000 for the Bend Park & Recreation District's Miller's Landing Park boat launch project.

Marine Board agency leadership discussed the 2025-2027 budget and policy development processes. The agency will focus on improving customer service and seeking approval to increase waterway access funding limitation to meet the volume of Waterway Access Grant requests.  

A total of seven facility grant applications were received for the agency’s Cycle 2 grant opportunity. The grant applications identified $2.6 million in project needs and applicants requested $1,547,500 from the agency’s funding for the 2023-2025 biennium. T

The board conditionally approved the projects where Waterway Access Grant dollars were requested. The agency will be asking the E-Board for more spending limitation of available funds for the conditionally approved projects.

• Bend Park & Recreation District, Miller’s Landing: Install an accessible nonmotorized boat launch with a transfer bench, maneuver area, and a life jacket loaner station. The Board conditionally approved $300,000 in Waterway Access Grant funds combined with a cash match of $395,734 for a total project cost of $695,734.
   
• City of Tigard, Cook Park: Replace the 27-year-old wooden boarding docks with new aluminum boarding docks. The Board conditionally approved $51,465 in Waterway Access Grant funds and $22,035 in Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $388,700 of applicant match, for a total project cost of $462,200.
   
• Port of Bandon, Port Marina: Construct a restroom with stalls for the public and a shower room for marina users The Board conditionally approved $27,000 in Waterway Access Grant funds, $50,000 Boating Facility Grant funds, and $50,000 in federal Boating Infrastructure Grant funds, combined with $246,327.50 of applicant match for a total project cost of $351,596.50.
   
• Port of Columbia County, Scappoose Bay: Purchase one nonmotorized boat launching dock with a transfer bench, non-slip decking, and grab bars. The Board conditionally approved $65,000 in Waterway Access Grant funds, combined with $100,000 of applicant match for a total project cost of $165,000.
   
• Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, Mongold State Park: Replace and install self-adjusting boarding docks. The Board approved $103,125 in Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $494,375 of applicant match for a total project cost of $597,500.  
   
• Jackson County, Emigrant Lake West: Replace and install self-adjusting boarding docks. The Board approved $51,250 in Boating Facility Grant funds combined with $233,750 of applicant match for a total project cost of $285,000.00.
   
• City of St. Helens, Courthouse Docks: Repair the short-term tie-up docks and improve tie-up capabilities to maximize dock space and replace one section of the debris boom. The Board conditionally approved $61,000 in Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $139,000 of applicant match for a total project cost of $200,000. 

To view the meeting replay and materials, visit the Marine Board’s Public Meetings page. 

From that agenda packet, here's the description of the BPRD project's need:

Bend Park & Recreation District (District) went through a two-year planning process and developed their Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan. The process included extensive community engagement. a technical advisory committee with representation from disabled communities to bring a lived experience expertise to the planning and design process.

The boardwalk and nonmotorized boating access at Miller’s Landing Park were installed in 2014. The existing access requires boaters to step onto uneven and jagged rocks that do not facilitate ease of entry into the water and onto watercraft. During the winter months, the distance between the boardwalk and the rocks can be as much as two feet. The District heard from many community members during the River Plan process that they do not use Miller’s Landing access point due to its hazardous obstacles.

Miller’s Landing has accessible parking, toilets and routes connecting these amenities. The proposed design would create an accessible nonmotorized boat launch and accessible route to the parking and restroom. Miller’s Landing is both a put in and take out for paddlers. Located approximately across from McKay Park (Whitewater Park), Miller’s Landing is less busy and offers more of the small neighborhood park experience opportunity.