Bend Will Close Columbia Park and Gilchrist Bridge

The construction project begins October 19, 2026, to address riverbank deterioration and bridge safety.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Utilities

Bend Will Close Columbia Park and Gilchrist Bridge

Live Poll

Do you support closing local parks and bridges for extended periods to facilitate necessary infrastructure improvements?

Beginning October 19, 2026, the City of Bend will close Columbia Park and the Gilchrist Bridge for an extensive infrastructure project. The closure is expected to last through early summer 2027 to facilitate bridge replacement and riverbank restoration.

Why it matters

Years of heavy public use have caused significant riverbank deterioration, necessitating a comprehensive rehabilitation of the area. The project aims to improve long-term accessibility and restore the natural state of the Deschutes River waterfront.

The construction effort includes the installation of new pathways, plazas, and an accessible river access point to replace current facilities. Future waterway access will remain available for boats under 10 feet in length.

The players

Bend Parks and Recreation District

This local government entity manages parks and recreational facilities throughout the city of Bend.

City of Bend

The municipal government providing core funding for the bridge replacement project.

Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization

This regional agency provided design support for the infrastructure project.

The details

The renovation project includes replacing the bridge, restoring the surrounding riverbank, and building new plazas and pathways for public use. During the closure, the city directs public foot and bike traffic to use the Bend Whitewater Park and Galveston Avenue as alternative routes.

March 2026: The Bend Parks and Recreation District Board and City Council approved the bridge replacement.
October 19, 2026: The official closure of Columbia Park and Gilchrist Bridge begins.
Early summer 2027: The project is scheduled for completion.

Market Landscape

This project follows the funding guidelines set by the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support necessary public infrastructure improvements. It represents a broader trend in local municipal efforts to modernize aging riverfront recreational sites to meet increased public demand.

Local residents and visitors will need to utilize detours at Bend Whitewater Park and Galveston Avenue throughout the duration of the closure. The project will ultimately provide improved plazas and accessible river access points for the public once construction concludes.

The takeaway

Visitors planning trips to the waterfront should adjust their routes ahead of the October 19 start date to avoid construction disruptions. Residents can look forward to a restored riverbank and new recreational amenities once the project finishes in early summer 2027.