Smith Rock State Park, Oct. 17

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites the public to weigh in on long-term planning for Smith Rock State Park as part of the process of updating the park’s Master Plan. The plan, last updated in 1991, will guide recreation use and resource management for the next 20 years. OPRD planners invite park users and community members to two public meetings for a presentation of preliminary design concepts for park improvements: >>Oct. 24 in Bend: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bend Park & Recreation District, Riverbend Community Room, 799 SW. Columbia St. >>Oct. 25 in Redmond: 5:30 — 7:30 p.m., Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, South Sister Main Hall, 3800 SE. Airport Way. Park planners will present three alternatives that reflect site preservation priorities, capacity constraints, parking, trail and facility improvements and improvements to other park amenities. These alternatives are based on feedback collected from stakeholders and at the first round of public meetings in January. A description of the planning process is at smithrockparkplan.com. Those unable to attend one of the meetings may submit comments on this website or by email to OPRD Planner Julia Cogger at julia.cogger@oregon.gov; by phone at 503-986-0663; or by mail sent to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer St. NE., Suite C, Salem, OR 97301. Planners will incorporate comments into a draft master plan, to be presented at public meetings in early 2018. Deadline for comments is Nov. 25, 2017.