Columbia Park River Access Project and Gilchrist Bridge Replacement

Access to the river has been identified by the community as a high priority for residents and visitors. Years of use and increased demand on the park has caused the access point and bank to deteriorate at Columbia Park, and required fencing to protect the area. The final design for this project includes improvements to enhance the natural area within this section of the riverbank, and a small, improved access point for river users to enter and exit the river, or to sit and relax by the water. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026.

In March 2026, the BPRD Board of Directors and Bend City Council met and agreed to add replacement of the Gilchrist Bridge into the scope of the Columbia Park project to more efficiently use public funds, streamline the design process and provide the community with a more complete improvement project. Following completion of the project, the bridge ownership and maintenance work will be transferred from city to BPRD. Check out the documents and plans tab to see the conceptual bridge design.

This project was prioritized from the 2021 Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan and the preferred concept design was completed under the McKay, Miller’s, and Columbia Park River Access and Restoration project. Funding for the construction of this project includes grant funds from Oregon’s Land and Water Conservation Fund and from a donation from the Joseph & Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation. Funding for the design of this project was obtained under the McKay, Miller’s Landing, and Columbia Park Access and Restoration Project and from the Oregon State Marine Board Waterway Access Grant Program, which invests 10-foot and longer nonmotorized boat permit fees for boating facility improvements.