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Discovery Park

Youth recreation staff member laughs at the camera while playing on the playground equipment with kiddos at a Kids Inc. activity.

Winter and Spring registration are open
Youth and adult activities now - mid-June.
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March 03

Lunch & Learn: Music, Mission, and Community: Building High Desert Chamber Music

Tuesday, March 03

12:00PM - 1:30PM
people seated watching a presentation at Larkspur Community Center
Feed your body & mind as local experts share their knowledge about topics important to you. Bring your own brown […]
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March 11

Registration Info Night – English & Spanish services available

Wednesday, March 11

5:00PM - 6:30PM
customer service rep at front desk
Are you prepared for the upcoming program registration? Attend BPRD’s Registration Info Night on and the Customer Service Team can answer questions and help you get ready for Summer 2026 registration opening March 17 - 18.
Click here for event details and free giveaways.
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March 13

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dance

Friday, March 13

5:00PM - 8:00PM
a man playing a saxophone at a dance
Tickets now on sale Join us for our St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dance! Tickets are on sale now for […]
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March 17

Summer 2026 Registration Opening Days

Tuesday, March 17 - Wednesday, March 18

6:00AM - 11:59PM
Group of children hold hands in a circle as they play togethr during BPRD sports camp at Skyline.
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Photograph of patrons and participants in costme at the St. Patricks Day dance.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dance
March 13, 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Larkpsur

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The sign at Discovery Park with the pond in the background.
Discovery Park's pond.
a bench overlooking a lake at discovery park
The pond and houses at Discovery Park.
The picnic shelter at Discovery Park.
The natural play area at Discovery Park.
The water play feature at Discovery Park.
a path at discovery park
Greenspace at Discovery Park.
a bench outside the dog park at discovery park
a path at discovery park
discovery park's underpass trail
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Discovery Park

1315 Northwest Discovery Park Drive, Bend, OR 97701, United States

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Discovery is a community park located within the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood.

The park features a 3-acre lake with approximately 12 acres of developed park and about 25 acres of open space. Amenities include a natural play area with water play feature, walking trails, fenced off-leash dog park, restrooms, picnicking areas, community garden and picnic shelter.

Additional expansion to Discovery Park was added with Outback Trail and Manzanita Trail.

Note: The lake is for irrigation purposes and the water is not potable (treated). Swimming and water play in the lake is at one’s risk and not recommended. Fishing is not allowed.

5 am to 10 pm

1315 Northwest Discovery Park Drive, Bend, OR 97701, United States (Directions)

Street Parking

40 acres

Click here for Park Rules and Guidelines

This location is ideal for active groups, small gatherings and private celebrations.

  • 4 rectangle picnic tables.
  • Adjacent to the three-acre lake with plaza and dock.
  • Natural play area for to kids to play on
  • Open lawn areas and paved trails
  • Restrooms and water fountain
  • Lighted shelter (no electrical outlet)
  • Fenced in off-leash dog park

Learn more about this rental. 

Care for Parks, Trails & Off Leash Areas

Volunteers help keep Bend’s parks, trails and off leash areas beautiful and safe places for everyone to enjoy!

Adopt-a-Park or Trail or Off Leash Area

Groups, businesses, schools, families or individuals can adopt a park, off leash area or section of Bend’s urban trail system. Volunteers help care for their adopted space by visiting regularly all year – picking up litter, pulling invasive weeds and keeping an eye out for vandalism, weather damage and potential safety hazards. Volunteers make at least a one year commitment and complete a monthly volunteer activity report.

Group Park Projects:

Your group can make a big impact by helping with a landscape maintenance project in a park.

Opportunities may be available in spring and fall, depending on the weather and vary based on the size of the group and current District needs. Projects are typically 2-3 hours and may include activities such as raking planting areas, spreading bark or playground chips, pulling invasive weeds and picking up litter. BPRD staff provides support for your group’s efforts and supplies any tools or materials needed for the project.

For more information about adopting a park or trail or scheduling a project for your group, contact:

Kim Johnson
Community Engagement Supervisor
  

Trail, park or property information:

For feedback on the parks, trails or facilities, email Park Services.

Click here for Lost & Found.

The Community Garden at Northwest Crossing’s Discovery Park became a Bend Park and Recreation property in 2019 and is supported by the Oregon State University Extension Service and the OSU Master Gardeners. In partnership with the Bend Park and Recreation District, Master Gardeners offer personalized support and a wide variety of classes at the 51-bed garden throughout the growing season.  The Discovery Park Community Garden provides a gardening opportunity for people with limited space to grow their own flowers and vegetables and to be a part of the gardening community. 

OPENING DAY: Early April – Each year newly available 4’ x 10’ raised bed garden plots are offered to the public. Available raised beds are awarded via a lottery drawing among all applications received by the announced cutoff.  Opening Day is a day to get garden common areas ready for the season, get started preparing the raised bed for planting, and for new gardeners to get a general orientation of the garden.  Master Gardeners are assigned to assist gardeners and provide gardening tips and advice that because of our unique and sometimes challenging Central Oregon environment, can be especially helpful.  Gardening at Discovery Park can be both adventurous and very rewarding.

 

Natural play areas are park features made of natural elements or inspired by nature, which are meant to provide a different sensory experience than modern plastic and metal play structures. They are designed to invoke more creative, free play.

In natural areas, kids are encouraged to walk or hop across stumps and logs, race up a cluster of boulders or play tag with friends in a log forest. Using built-in hand water pumps, children can mix sand and water to build sand castles – getting their hands dirty and exploring in the process.

Learn more about Natural Play Areas.

Dogs are a part of many Bendites’ lives and involved with their owners in many recreational adventures. In Bend, there’s so much to do with your four-legged friend including:

  • Walk and run on the trails and paths
  • Swim in the Deschutes River
  • Play, walk and run off-leash at nine off-leash areas.

No matter the activity or adventure, it’s important that dog owners manage their dog responsibly so that everyone can enjoy the parks and trails.

City of Bend law and Bend Park & Recreation District rules require that:

  • Dogs are to be leashed up in public except in official off-leash areas.
  • Dog owners are to clean up after their dog. To help out, dog waste bags and trash receptacles are available at many Bend parks and trails.

Off-Leash Area Rules

Off-Leash Areas in Bend ParksThe intent of these rules is to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all park users.

  • No aggressive dogs allowed. Immediately remove your dog from the park if it is misbehaving or acting in an aggressive manner.
  • Keep dogs on leash outside designated off-leash areas.
  • Pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste.
  • Remain in visual sight and voice control of your dog at all times.
  • Carry a leash for each dog in your care.
  • Closely supervise young children. Children under the age of 12 may not be in the off-leash area unsupervised.
  • Accept responsibility for any damage or injury caused by your dog.
  • Bring no more than three dogs to the off-leash area at any time.
  • Do not bring a dog in heat to a Bend park.
  • Do not bring a puppy without a complete cycle of vaccinations to a Bend park.
  • Display tags showing proof of current license and rabies vaccinations on all dogs.
  • Consider using natural materials like sticks when playing with your dog in the river.
  • Please be courteous to neighbors and control excessive barking.

Kid's in Off-Leash Areas

Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in Bend off-leash areas unsupervised. Here is some guidance for those with children in an off-leash area:

  • Not all dogs are child-friendly. Do not allow your child to approach or pet a strange dog without the owner’s presence and approval.
  • A running, squealing or screaming child may become a target for many dogs, because the child resembles an injured animal or prey.
  • Do not let your child have toys or food in an off-leash area.
  • Children are more susceptible to contracting intestinal worms and other infections from touching grass where feces or urine are present. Be sure your children (and you) always wear shoes in an off-leash park area and wash hands after touching dog play toys.

Small Dogs in Off-Leash Areas

Ponderosa Small Dog Area entranceWhen it comes to off-leash areas, a designated space for small dogs to have a play and activity level that's in their proportion rather than with big dogs can be a great option for small dog owners.

Currently, there are fenced small dog areas at Alpenglow, Riverbend, Pine Nursery and Ponderosa Parks. The criteria for small dogs is less than 15 inches at the shoulder and under 25 pounds.

If you would like to comment on the small dog parks, email us at info@bendparksandrec.org or call (541) 389-7275.

Learn more about dog-friendly parks and off-leash areas. 

Want to host an event here?

Portions of this park are available for sports field rentals from April 1 through October 31. All organized sport program use of Bend Park & Recreation District athletic fields requires a reservation and permit. Organized sport program use is defined as any time a group of individuals is practicing, playing contests, conducting drills, camps or other programmed activities under the coordination, direction and supervision of an individual or organization. The reservation process provides a user or organization the exclusive use of a field. Reservations are verified by Bend Park & Recreation District staff. Learn more about sports field rentals.

Other Available Fields:
Looking for other fields? See all rentable sports fields.

For additional information or questions, contact:

Becky Rexford

Discovery Park was acquired in 2016 from the West Bend Property Company. The park was part of the development and expansion in the Northwest Crossing area. The naming of Discovery Park originated with the developer, as it was the working name during planning and design. The beautiful art features in the park are courtesy of Chris Cole and Doug Robertson.