New playgrounds are on the way!

Did you know that there are at least four new playgrounds coming to three cities in Central Oregon?

Ponderosa Park (Bend):  Update: February 3, 2014, the playground is scheduled to be completed in mid February! The following copy is from Bend Parks and Rec's website:

Ponderosa Park Renovation

Overview:  Develop a new skatepark and additional community park amenities on the south side of the park including walking paths, turf areas and picnic facilities.

Current Update: Americorp Construction has completed the pre-fabricated restroom building and pavers. Fencing and landscaping will continue through the summer. Wystan Brown Excavation is completing the playground. Pending approval by the City, the skatepark and other community park elements should be under construction by late summer.

Groundbreaking for the new skatepark is anticipated in early September.

For all Ponderosa Park 2013 updates, click here.

For more information, visit the Ponderosa Park Renovation website. 

Hillside Park (Bend): This isn't necessarily going to be a new playground, but it will make the current one accessible to young children.  I haven't reviewed Hillside Park yet, but it's a hike to get to that playground.  I'm not sure what the vision was when they built it, but the access is atrocious.  Currently you can choose between hiking 1/4 mile through the off leash dog park, or finding parking across 12th street. It's not the safest place to cross because of the geography.

Here's the copy from Bend Parks and Rec:

Hillside Neighborhood Park Renovation

Overview: Hillside Park serves the community as both a neighborhood park and an off-leash area. The facilities need updating and remodeling to provide better access to the park and playground.

When completed, Hillside Park will have benches, paved walkways, trash receptacles, bike racks, dog stations, tables, signs, a turf play area, and improved access.

Current Update: Staff continues to coordinate with the City on traffic calming issues on NW12th St. at Hillside Park that will affect the design of Hillside Park improvements.

Location: 2050 NW 12th Street

Planning: 2013

Background: Hillside Park is perched on the side of Awbrey Butte and offers panoramic views to the south. The park is adjacent to a City of Bend reservoir site, and consists of two separate parcels. It has both neighborhood park amenities and open space with native vegetation. A dog off-leash area is located on the east side of the area north of 10th Street.

 For more information, visit the Hillside Park Renovation website. 

Two other new parks are in the early planning stages. Canal Row Park in NE Bend, and Southeast Bend Parklands in far SE Bend.

Fir Street park (Sisters)  This isn't going to be a playground, exactly, but it is going to include a splash pad. A first for Central Oregon, outside of fee based facilities.  KTVZ did this article, and you can see the conceptual design on page 8 of this PDF from the City of Sisters.

Sam Johnson Park (Redmond):  This might be the most exciting of the bunch, especially if you live in Redmond.  Sam Johnson Park already exists, and it has mature trees and shade.  The current playground well past its prime, but some visionaries came up with a great plan, and this may well end up being the best playground in Central Oregon if all planned phases come to fruition.

The Friends of Sam Johnson Park are spearheading the effort, and they have done a great job getting the first phase funded.  They also have a temporary "Monkey Face" climbing rock set up in the park right now.  It's on loan from the State of Oregon. It was used for a few years at the Oregon State Fair.

Visit The Friends of Sam Johnson Park for more information.