Summary of Oct. 5 board meeting
October 7, 2021
At the Oct. 5 meeting, the BPRD board of directors took several actions related to future park projects, including a new neighborhood park and bike park amenities at an existing park. These projects were updated with others in a 5-year project plan, and a new naming committee of community members was appointed as an advisory body to the board of directors. A recording of the meeting is available here.
Capital Improvement Plan
BPRD’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies and summarizes all approved and proposed capital expenditures and revenue sources for a five-year period. The board of directors revises and adopts the CIP during the annual budget process, and can adopt a revision when necessary. As a result of current economic conditions, three projects included in the 2022-2026 CIP will require additional funding this fiscal year (FY) – Northpointe Park, Big Sky Park Expansion, and the Natural Resource River Stewardship project(s). The adjustments were made to reflect previously approved cost adjustments and alternative funding sources. The updated CIP is available in the board packet (starting on page 14).
Big Sky Park
Alternative funding has been awarded to move forward ahead with bike park amenities at Big Sky Park. The project was awarded $350,000 in grant funds from the Bend Sustainability Fund. The grant will help fund the construction of a pump track, trials area, bike skills area and single-track trails. The bike park was designed in collaboration with community partners, and the grant application was complemented by letters of support from Oregon Adaptive Sports, Bend Endurance Academy and the local cyclocross community. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall of 2021 following board approval to award the construction contract at the meeting.
New SE Bend park
In 2018, the district purchased 3.39 acres of property located at the intersection of Hawes Lane and Parrell Road to provide a neighborhood park in this currently underserved section of SE Bend. The board approved a professional services contract to begin necessary survey, design, construction documents, permitting and construction administration services to complete this neighborhood park project. It is expected the design and construction documents will be complete and the project will be ready to bid in the beginning of 2023.
Naming Committee
In July, the board adopted the new Park, Facility and Trail Naming Policy. This policy includes the formation of a five-member Naming Committee that will make recommendations to the board regarding the naming of district assists. Six applications were received and evaluated and 5 were selected for the naming committee. The naming committee will convene soon and will provide advisory support to the board of directors for new parks, trails or other amenities as needed.
Other topics
In work session, directors heard updates from staff about the park service’s water management program, a recreation report about fall activities and staff recruiting and hiring, and a summary of public input received for the Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan.
The next meeting is Oct. 19.