Hi, neighbors! As a member of the board for the Larkspur Neighborhood I have been poring over the latest Bend Parks and Rec comprehensive plan, and thought you might appreciate a summary of the projects that impact our neighborhood.
(The whole report is reasonably interesting - If you want the whole enchilada here is a link to it).
The following are high priority projects in the comprehensive plan. There is no particular order among these high priority projects.
Ponderosa Park Renovation - Upgrade the old skate park, renovate the older ball field, and other improvements to Ponderosa Park.
Larkspur Center renovation - upgrade of the existing Bend Senior Center, planned to start in 2019.
Reed Market Road Crossing - improvements are planned to improve safe access to the Larkspur Center (Bend Senior Center) and park
Hansen Park trailhead near the COID canals east of Rigel Way, is planned as a trailhead for trails that are planned along COID easements to the north and east.
Litchfield park site - a neighborhood park is planned for a 2-acre plot of land southeast of Wilco, off Livingston.
Juniper Park renovation - There are plans to renovate the park to improve ADA access and accommodate more users, and upgrade the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center - things like replacing a pool tank, new flooring, lighting, and shower room renovations.
9th Street crossing - improvements are planned to improve safe access to the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center and park.
COID trail development: A trail is planned along the COID canal that runs south of Bear Creek, and the trail is expected to be extended through Hansen Park (planned Trailhead mentioned above) east of 27th and eastward toward Eastgate Park (outside city limits) and the Badlands. The three trails are all considered a high priority.
The following are listed as moderate priority projects:
Big Sky Connector trail: A trail is planned along the current eastern UGB Northward to BIg Sky park at Neff and Hamby, along with improvements to the crossing at Neff and Hamby for trail access to Big Sky Park.
There are ongoing efforts to seek land for new park spaces. Three areas in our neighborhood are listed in the Comprehensive Plan as Park Search sites:
- site 15 encompasses most of the area east of 15 to Pettigrew, except the corner south of Tempest and west of Airpark. Acquiring land in this parcel is considered a medium priority.
- Site 16 is south of Bear Creek, east of 27th and north of Chilliwack. Acquiring land in this parcel is considered a medium priority.
the following were identified in the Comprehensive Plan but are not listed on the priority project list:
Coyner Trail connector: a trail proposed for connecting the Larkspur Trail to Ponderosa Park and the Coyner trail, does not appear on project priorities. Any land owner developing the property on 15th east of Wilson will likely be required to put in this connector.
Park search site 14 is east of the UGB between Bear Creek Road and Highway 20, extending to Hamby. Acquiring land in this parcel is not listed as a priority in the Comprehensive Plan. Conversations with Parks and Rec staff indicate that the Litchfield Park site at Livingston near 27th, when developed, will cover the need for a park in this area. There have been a number of neighbors lobbying for the natural area in Site 14 as a potential site for a park, and a preferred location to the Litchfield site which is on the high priority list for the city.
If you have comments about these projects or their priority, the link above includes a means of submitting comments. BPRD will be accepting comments until June 3.
(The whole report is reasonably interesting - If you want the whole enchilada here is a link to it).
The following are high priority projects in the comprehensive plan. There is no particular order among these high priority projects.
Ponderosa Park Renovation - Upgrade the old skate park, renovate the older ball field, and other improvements to Ponderosa Park.
Larkspur Center renovation - upgrade of the existing Bend Senior Center, planned to start in 2019.
Reed Market Road Crossing - improvements are planned to improve safe access to the Larkspur Center (Bend Senior Center) and park
Hansen Park trailhead near the COID canals east of Rigel Way, is planned as a trailhead for trails that are planned along COID easements to the north and east.
Litchfield park site - a neighborhood park is planned for a 2-acre plot of land southeast of Wilco, off Livingston.
Juniper Park renovation - There are plans to renovate the park to improve ADA access and accommodate more users, and upgrade the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center - things like replacing a pool tank, new flooring, lighting, and shower room renovations.
9th Street crossing - improvements are planned to improve safe access to the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center and park.
COID trail development: A trail is planned along the COID canal that runs south of Bear Creek, and the trail is expected to be extended through Hansen Park (planned Trailhead mentioned above) east of 27th and eastward toward Eastgate Park (outside city limits) and the Badlands. The three trails are all considered a high priority.
The following are listed as moderate priority projects:
Big Sky Connector trail: A trail is planned along the current eastern UGB Northward to BIg Sky park at Neff and Hamby, along with improvements to the crossing at Neff and Hamby for trail access to Big Sky Park.
There are ongoing efforts to seek land for new park spaces. Three areas in our neighborhood are listed in the Comprehensive Plan as Park Search sites:
- site 15 encompasses most of the area east of 15 to Pettigrew, except the corner south of Tempest and west of Airpark. Acquiring land in this parcel is considered a medium priority.
- Site 16 is south of Bear Creek, east of 27th and north of Chilliwack. Acquiring land in this parcel is considered a medium priority.
the following were identified in the Comprehensive Plan but are not listed on the priority project list:
Coyner Trail connector: a trail proposed for connecting the Larkspur Trail to Ponderosa Park and the Coyner trail, does not appear on project priorities. Any land owner developing the property on 15th east of Wilson will likely be required to put in this connector.
Park search site 14 is east of the UGB between Bear Creek Road and Highway 20, extending to Hamby. Acquiring land in this parcel is not listed as a priority in the Comprehensive Plan. Conversations with Parks and Rec staff indicate that the Litchfield Park site at Livingston near 27th, when developed, will cover the need for a park in this area. There have been a number of neighbors lobbying for the natural area in Site 14 as a potential site for a park, and a preferred location to the Litchfield site which is on the high priority list for the city.
If you have comments about these projects or their priority, the link above includes a means of submitting comments. BPRD will be accepting comments until June 3.