Closing the Gap: Bend’s New Riverfront Trail Link Shows a City That Cares

Bend is moving ahead with a plan to close the last gap in the Deschutes River Trail along NW Riverfront Street. City and park leaders chose a design that adds a 10-foot-wide shared-use path and converts the street to one-way northbound, a concept that earned 85 % support in neighborhood surveys. The agencies have a $683,000 joint design contract in hand and expect plans to be finished in 2025, after which they will seek construction funding. Projects like this fit into Bend’s broader pledge to spend $43 million from its voter-approved transportation bond on safer walking and biking routes. 

A Long-Awaited Link on the River

Riverfront Street sits between iconic Drake Park and Miller’s Landing, two popular river parks in the heart of town. For years, trail users have been forced onto a narrow, crumbling sidewalk or into the street; an obvious “missing link” in an otherwise continuous 12.5-mile river trail. Under the new plan, the street will shrink from 24 feet to 20 feet, leaving room for the two-lane path while keeping angled parking on one side. Design work also includes fresh pavement and storm-water upgrades, helping protect the Deschutes from runoff. 

Why It Matters Day to Day

The Deschutes River Trail is Bend’s busiest trail, attracting more than 1,200 users on a typical day. Linking this gap will let walkers, runners, bikers and families roll from Sawyer Park all the way to Farewell Bend and beyond without dodging cars. It will also give Old Bend neighbors calmer traffic, because one-way flow naturally slows speeds and cuts confusion at the summer tube-launch spot.

Community Voices Say “Yes”

Public outreach lasted a full year, comparing two-way and one-way options. In the final survey 41 of 48 respondents, about 85 %, picked the one-way concept. Residents cited safety, a quieter street, and the chance to preserve the block’s “quaint” feel. Nearby dog-walkers told reporters they’re eager for fewer speeding cars, while long-time neighbors called the path “long overdue.” Even Bend Park and Recreation District board members noted the rare level of consensus, calling the vote a clear mandate to move forward.

Proof the City Keeps Investing in People

Riverfront Street is only one piece of Bend’s people-first makeover:

  • Transportation Bond Priorities – Of the city’s $190 million bond, $43 million is set aside for bicycle-and-pedestrian work, and nearly $9 million is already in play.
  • Drake Park Boardwalk & Bank Restoration – Last year the park district finished a new riverside boardwalk and habitat improvements just upstream, enhancing both ecology and access.
  • Galveston Avenue Safety Project – Two blocks north of Riverfront Street, planners are redesigning Galveston to add wider sidewalks and better crossings, again funded by the bond.
  • Citywide Trail & Park Planning – The district’s comprehensive plan update calls for more neighborhood connections and a half-mile park radius for every home.

These efforts share a theme: Bend does not wait for problems to grow; it fixes them early, in ways that make everyday life easier.

What This Says to Future Neighbors

People thinking about moving often ask whether a city truly cares about quality of life. Bend’s answer is visible in projects like this trail link. Safe paths let kids bike to soccer, commuters walk to downtown jobs, and seniors enjoy river views without stepping into traffic. Nine parks will soon be connected in a single scenic stroll, turning errands or exercise into a mini-vacation along the water.

For home-shoppers, that means more than pretty scenery; it signals a community willing to spend real money on the small details that make a day run smoothly. Whether you settle in Old Bend, the Westside, or a newer east-side neighborhood, these connections help the whole city move, play and meet one another outdoors.

Closing Thoughts

Finishing the Riverfront Street link is a practical improvement with an uplifting message: Bend remembers its residents first. The shared-use path will let people of all ages and abilities enjoy the river without worry, while one-way traffic protects the cozy character locals love. As designs wrap up in 2025 and funding efforts begin, this “missing link” is poised to become the newest highlight on a trail system that already defines life here. Continuous, people-friendly upgrades like this are one reason so many visitors decide to call Bend home—no hard sell needed.