Summary of June 17 board of directors meeting
June 18, 2025
The BPRD board of directors held a public hearing and first reading of the Park Rules and Regulations Ordinance and approved Athletic Field and Sports Program Guidelines Policy at the June 17 meeting. The board also discussed a maintenance project at the Bend Whitewater Park. A video recording is available.
Park Rules and Regulations
Over the past year, district staff has been researching and updating the district’s park rules and regulations, last updated in 2018. The district’s legal counsel drafted the proposed park rules and regulations to address new issues in parks and to simplify existing language for overall clarity. The rules were compared to the City of Bend Ordinances and State laws that govern various sections of the rules to ensure consistency.
A public hearing occurred, and a first reading of Ordinance No. 14 was conducted. A second reading is scheduled for July 1.
Athletic Field and Sports Program Guidelines Policy
The board approved the current Athletic Facility and Sports Program Guidelines Policy in 2018. Staff thoroughly reviewed the policy and made several edits to align it with current practices and other related policies. Staff also took the opportunity to revise the section addressing long-term user groups (formerly affiliate organizations) to clarify roles and relationships between the district and potential long-term user groups.
Bend Whitewater Park
The Bend Whitewater Park (BWP) is nearing 10 years of operation, and the river remains the most dynamic environment within district boundaries. “Taking care of what we have” is a high priority of the community and the district and is an objective included in the district’s Strategic Plan. Over the years, the district has seen erosion and scour in the park and because of this, the Bend Whitewater Park Maintenance Project was added to the district’s Capital Improvement Plan in 2023.
With the upcoming Deschutes River Habitat Conservation Plan taking effect in 2028, there will be considerably more water flows in what was formerly low-flow season when working conditions were more favorable and for what the Bend Whitewater Park was designed to function.
In January 2024, the district hired a team consisting of Recreation Engineering & Planning (REP) – Prime consultant and original whitewater feasibility consultants, ESA – aquatic biology and permitting specialists and BECON – survey and mapping firm to complete a conditions assessment for the whitewater park.
REP presented staff with the initial Bend Whitewater Park Condition Assessment Report, which catalogued structural and hydraulic issues across all three channels and the 26 pneumatic gates. The team completed a second topographic and bathymetric survey to check the one-year progression of scour, undercutting and island stability identified in the initial survey and added the results to a Condition Assessment Report.
The “Rough Order of Magnitude” estimated construction cost ranges for a maintenance project are as follows:
- Minimum Recommended Actions: $4.9M to $9.1M
- All Recommended Actions: $6.6M to $12.2M
Next steps include joint coordination meeting with the permitting agencies to get a better understanding of the regulatory framework for future repairs to the park. REP will also continue to progress conceptual designs this summer to further inform decision making, permitting, constructability requirements and overall costs.
Employee acknowledgements
Char Schulz was honored for her 35+ years as an employee at BPRD, starting as a computer skills instructor who then started teaching fitness classes and served in other roles for the district, including in community relations and events.
The board was also introduced to Jase Newton, the new recreation services director, who joins BPRD from Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield. He succeeds Matt Mercer who is retiring on July 1.
CAPRA
The board received staff information about the district’s current efforts in the reaccreditation process with the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). BPRD has been accredited since 2015. CAPRA accreditation is a thorough evaluation, setting qualitative standards that assess all aspects of a park and recreation agency’s operations.
BPRD is one of only 10 agencies nationally invited to beta test CAPRA’s revised standards. This is the most significant update to the program since its launch in 1993, aiming to streamline the process, reduce redundancies, and better integrate core values such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability. A CAPRA Review Team (CRT) will conduct an on-site visit in July. During their visit, the CRT will tour district facilities and meet with key staff to validate our report and assess how CAPRA standards are embedded in operations and planning efforts.
The next board meeting is July 1.
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