Caring for our Parks
Bend's beautiful parks host a wide variety
of activities and events throughout the year ranging from
community-wide cultural events to individuals relaxing in their
favorite park. Bend Metro Park and Recreation District
oversees, maintains and develops parks, trails and open space
in Bend and surrounding areas. Since 1995, the District
has been involved in an aggressive park rehabilitation program
as a result of a voter approved levy. The levy-supported
projects were completed in 2003, however, maintenance projects
continue to be funded through the general fund in order to keep
our parks and facilities up dated and safe. Following are major
maintenance projects scheduled for the District's parks,
trails, and facilities. If you have any questions
regarding any of these projects, please contact Ed Moore, Park
Services Director, at 388-5435.
Winterization...Park Services is currently winterizing all drinking fountains and irrigation systems at all park locations subject to freezing throughout the district. Winterization work should be completed by mid November.
Snow Grooming...Watch here for the status of groomed trails this winter. Our priority is snow removal but as time and availability of the equipment permit we will be setting track for cross country and skate skiing.
Last winter the district created more opportunities for people to cross country ski and skate ski right here in town. Crews groomed tracks at Shevlin, Skyline and Big Sky parks. Hopefully we will get enough snow to do it again!
Park Projects
Beyond the routine maintenance program that keeps our parks clean, green, safe and beautiful, there are a number of larger projects our staff is working on.
Tree Pruning...During fall and winter months staff are busy pruning trees throughout the park system, removing dead wood and correcting structural problems that could present hazards to the public. Special emphasis is placed on the older larger trees that create the unique and wonderful environs found especially in Drake, Pioneer and other older established parks.
District Composting Project...The District has developed a successful composting system, using a variety of composting techniques to recycle over 45,000 pounds of pine needles, grass clippings and limbs that are removed from the parks every year during various maintenance activities. The goal is to reduce costs by diminishing landfill tipping fees and to improve the health of our parks by improving fertility as well as saving water.
Forest Health Projects...This past year the District completed two forest health projects totaling about 42 acres in Shevlin park. This year we plan to take on two more projects totaling about 58 acres with the help of grant funds from Oregon Department of Forestry to improve forest health and fire safety. One project is in the old Awbrey Hall burn where some of the volatile brush will be removed and more trees will be planted next spring. The other project is along either side of the park road where ladder fuels and excess small trees will be removed to protect the park in general and the old growth ponderosa pine in particular. These projects are all part of the Shevlin Park Vegetation Management Plan which was completed in 2008.
