The Bend Park and Recreation District is getting started on its latest river access improvement project, capitalizing on lower water level conditions this fall and winter. The Miller’s Landing Park project will begin in early November and is expected to be completed summer 2025.
Miller’s Landing Park is a 4.5-acre community park and one of 16 district-owned or managed parks along the Deschutes River. The district’s 2021 Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan identified a high priority project at Miller’s Landing Park to improve the existing access points and restore habitat.
The new design at Miller’s Landing focuses on improved river access for boaters and river users of all abilities by redeveloping the boardwalk. Additionally, the access point at the north end of the park will be improved for swimming, wading and slower-current water recreation.
“We are very excited to bring a first-of-its-kind accessible boat launch area to help all Deschutes River boaters to enjoy the river,” said Ian Isaacson, BPRD project manager. “This project will also add riverbank fencing to help restore damage from overuse and will follow other successful projects like at Riverbend South where new hardened access points and riparian restoration are thriving.”
Access to the river has been identified by the community as a high priority for both residents and visitors. After opening Miller’s Landing Park in 2014, the years of use and increased demand on the park caused the access points to no longer serve the population as well as intended.
This project was prioritized from the Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan and the preferred concept design was completed under the McKay, Miller’s Landing and Columbia Park River Access and Restoration project.
Funding for the construction of the Miller’s Landing project includes grant funds from the Bend Sustainability Fund, which invests in projects that protect, steward and create sustainable recreational resources and outdoor experiences in Bend’s backyard; from the Oregon State Marine Board Waterway Access Grant Program, which invests 10-foot and longer nonmotorized boat permit fees for boating facility improvements; Oregon’s Local Government Grant Program; and from a donation from the Joseph & Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation.
Learn more at the Miller’s Landing project webpage.
