First St. to Revere Avenue, Deschutes River Trail Phase III Project
This project is the final phase (III) that will help close a gap in a section of the Deschutes River Trail (DRT) near downtown Bend. The cost of this design phase is being partially offset by a $79,000 ODOT grant using federal Surface Transportation Program funds. The existing shared-use path portion of the Deschutes River Trail north of downtown currently starts at Pacific Park and connects across Portland Avenue, through Pioneer Park, then along the east bank of the Deschutes River to the southern edge of Davis Park. This project is running concurrently with the effort to master plan the Davis Park site (see below). The Phase III project proposes to design and engineer a new pedestrian bridge that crosses over the river between First St. and Revere Ave.
The trail sections through Pacific and Pioneer Parks, and in front of the Bend Riverside Motel condominium units along the Riverside Natural Area are surfaced with concrete pavers similar to many other formal park trails. The surface continuing downstream to the new bridge will likely be asphalt. The width of the path connections to the bridge may vary from 7'-10' depending on available right-of-way, location of mature trees (and roots), and rock outcroppings.
A new small parking area with an ADA van-accessible space to be developed at or near the end of NW Revere Ave. will be evaluated as well. All of the shared-use path/trail rights-of-way are owned by BPRD. This project, including the new bridge, is identified as a key component of the 2008 BPRD Trails Master Plan, as well as the 2002 Deschutes River Trail Action Plan, and has been an element of the city of Bend Urban Trails Plan since 1995.
Download a document showing the progress of construction on Phase II of the Pioneer to Revere Avenue Deschutes River Trail Project
Davis Park Master Plan
At the same time as the preliminary work is beginning for the design of a new pedestrian bridge on the Deschutes River Trail, BPRD is beginning a master planning process for Davis Park, located on the east side of the Deschutes River at the end of NW Revere Avenue. Davis Park is classified in the district’s Comprehensive Plan as a Community River Park and as such will be designed to serve the entire community. At minimum, the new park will provide public access to the Deschutes River, create passive recreation opportunities, and together with the bridge project, will close a gap in the Deschutes River Trail. Regardless of which bridge alignment is selected, the Davis Park project will include accessible trail connections from the new bridge to the existing segments of the Deschutes River Trail.
Public Process
There will be several ways to be involved in the planning for these two projects including attending public meetings and answering the written questionnaire mailed to owners and residents within 1/2-mile of the project area or filling out that same questionnaire online via this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CXJPC5TPK/
In addition to the data gathered from the questionnaire, the district will rely on input received at public open house meetings during the bridge design and park master planning processes. The first meeting will be held September 22 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the district office at 799 SW Columbia (Riverbend Park). There will be a short presentation at 5:30 followed by an open house format meeting. District staff will take public input to help shape the future of the bridge and the park. Additional meetings will be held in the fall to present progress and gather feedback on conceptual designs.
We encourage you to provide comments beyond those asked for in the questionnaire. You can do so via letters, e-mail and by visiting us at the planned public meetings. Please contact us if you have additional questions or comments regarding the new bridge or Davis park .
For more information on the bridge project, call Steve Jorgensen at (541) 706-6153 or email to steve@bendparksandrec.org
For more information on Davis Park, call Robin Laughlin at (541) 706-6155 or email to robin@bendparksandrec.org
