Summary of July 16 board of directors meeting

July 17, 2024

The BPRD board of directors met on July 16 and approved a plan for an update to Hollinshead Park. A video recording of the meeting is available. The board received several public comments from individuals and expressed appreciation for the engagement.

Hollinshead Park project

Hollinshead Park is a 16.1-acre community park in northeast Bend. Originally a bustling ranch, the park features include an off-leash dog area, gardens for the community and demonstrations, a walking trail and picnic areas. The park is also home to historical buildings, notably the Hollinshead Barn and the Sharecroppers House, which has been transformed into a museum.

The district’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan, which is the district’s guiding plan for the next ten years, identifies an improvement project at Hollinshead Park. Proposed improvements include:

• A new permanent restroom.
• New ADA-compliant pathways to increase accessibility, including enhanced access to Hollinshead Barn.
• Renovation of the parking area to improve circulation and operational issues.
• Enclosing the off-leash area to increase park-user safety and reduce conflicts.
• The creation of a “History Walk” with interpretive signs to share the park’s history and features in collaboration with the Deschutes Historical Society.
• Preparation of a maintenance report to preserve the park’s structures are for future generations.

The board of directors approved the preferred concept plan. Staff will move forward to complete the design and construct the improvements, slated for completed in 2026.

Deschutes River Trail (DRT) South

In work session, staff provided an overview of the DRT South Project, designed to close one of the last remaining gaps on the trail.

The project was first identified in the City of Bend’s Urban Trail Plan (1996), and more recently identified in the district’s Comprehensive Plan (2018) and the Deschutes National Forest Alternative Transportation Feasibility Study (2015), which identifies projects that could enhance non-motorized access to the Deschutes National Forest. The goal of this project is to extend the existing portion of the Deschutes River Trail in southwest Bend to the Deschutes National Forest trail system within the Rim Rock (aka Good Dog) trailhead and recreation area.

The staff presentation focused on:

• planning framework and project background,
• project history and summary of major milestones,
• recent project advocacy and community feedback, and the
• results of the district’s most recent Community Needs Assessment Survey

No official action was taken; however, staff will return for continued discussion at a future meeting.

The board of directors will take a break in August. The next board meeting is Sept. 3.