Crossing both east and west sides of the Deschutes River, First Street Rapids Park is a popular river access point for canoes and kayaks.
The park is located at the end of NW First Street as well as the end of NW Revere Ave.
The Deschutes River Trail runs through the park and connects north to Sawyer Park and south to Pioneer Park via a pedestrian bridge.
The park’s north and south points along the river are well-known for wildlife activity including river otters, beavers and a multitude of bird species including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, ospreys and migratory birds.
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:
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more. Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length. Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
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.
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float will open June 18, 2022 and operate until Labor Day, Sept. 5. Park & Float, Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It's a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun.Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
features
Fishing in Parks
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more. Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length. Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
Natural Play Area
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.
Float the River
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float will open June 18, 2022 and operate until Labor Day, Sept. 5. Park & Float, Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It's a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun.Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
Adopt a Park
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: