Summary of Aug. 5 board of directors meeting
August 6, 2025
The BPRD board of directors took actions related to new and improved parks and a trail easement at the Aug. 5 meeting. A video recording is available.
Pine Nursery Park project
Pine Nursery Park is a 159-acre community park that has been developed in phases since 2006. The upcoming Phase 5 project includes features identified in the park’s approved concept plan and is a high-priority project in both the district’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan and the 2024 midterm update. The project scope includes athletic field lighting, artificial turf infields, eight pickleball courts, pathway repairs and plazas, maintenance building improvements and other associated infrastructure. The design also reflects collaboration with Oregon Adaptive Sports and the Bend Pickleball Club.
Staff recommended and the board authorized the executive director to award a construction contract to the low bidder, Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company, for a total construction budget not to exceed $6,520,568.
Construction of elements of the park project will begin soon and will be completed by summer 2026.
Canal trail easement
BPRD has been working to acquire easements for three of four parcels of property along the North Unit Irrigation Canal (NUID), and the board facilitated the final property transaction to allow for a trail connection project.
Staff proposed that the district purchase the Miles Fox property for a negotiated price of $22,000 and then transfer ownership of the parcel to the North Unit Irrigation District while retaining the necessary trail easements. This proposal was presented to the North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) Board of Directors who indicated they would accept ownership of the property.
The property is fully burdened by underlying easement rights of the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation uses and is not developable as a park or other recreational amenity apart from a trail.
Future park at Easton development
The board of directors authorized the executive director to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement with Pahlisch Homes at Easton Limited Partnership for a future neighborhood park site.
The district negotiated the acquisition of 2.04 acres, located in the Easton Master Planned Development in southeast Bend. 1.31 acres will be donated per land use regulations, and the district will purchase the remaining 0.76 acres, north of Knott Road and east of SE 15th Street.
The development will include a minimum of 720 housing units, including a minimum of 244 units of mixed housing (townhomes, duplexes, multi-unit dwellings, etc.). The park site is centrally located with strong trail connectivity planned.
Other topics
In work session, staff shared an update about the Certified Park Recreation Professional (CPRP) Program. Offered by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the certification program is designed for early to mid-career professionals seeking to advance in the parks and recreation field. There are currently over 6,500 CPRPs nationwide. Following the request from BPRD employees to obtain their CPRP in 2019, the district established a study cohort to support those employees through the study and testing process annually.
The next board of directors meeting is Aug. 17.
