Bend to Close Sawyer Park Lot for Construction
The parking area at Sawyer Park will close on October 26 for site improvements and new facility installations.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in National Parks
Live Poll
Do you support temporary park closures if they lead to improved local recreational facilities?
The Bend Park and Recreation District will close the Sawyer Park parking lot to vehicle traffic beginning October 26 to begin a significant site improvement project. The construction is expected to be completed by next summer.
Why it matters
The project aims to improve visitor access and environmental quality at the park through habitat restoration and facility upgrades. It ensures that the site better accommodates park users with enhanced accessibility features.
The construction project includes the addition of a permanent restroom, a picnic shelter, and a river overlook. The parking area will be relocated closer to O.B. Riley Road and will feature an increased number of accessible parking spaces.
The players
Bend Park and Recreation District
This agency oversees the maintenance, operation, and development of public park lands and recreational facilities for the city of Bend.
The details
The project includes habitat restoration and improved trail accessibility throughout the area. While the parking lot will be closed, pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open from O.B. Riley Road along the southern edge of the park.
Timeline
The parking lot closure begins October 26, 2026.
The construction project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.
Travel Outlook
This project follows the pattern of local park infrastructure upgrades supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Such developments reflect a broader push to modernize recreational sites to handle seasonal tourism fluctuations and increased local trail usage.
Visitors should prepare for a lack of on-site parking at Sawyer Park beginning October 26 and consider alternative transport methods for reaching the trail. Pedestrians and cyclists can still access the park via O.B. Riley Road throughout the construction period.
The takeaway
Park visitors should adjust their arrival plans to account for the loss of vehicle access during the closure. Once complete, the upgrades will offer a permanent restroom and picnic shelter to improve the overall convenience of the riverfront site.
Further reading
For more information on local green spaces, visit our National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVZ.
Live Poll
Do you support temporary park closures if they lead to improved local recreational facilities?
