South UGB Bridge Public Comments Received via Questionnaire, Open House and Email. As of 4-23-14 General Project Comments • Bad idea • The bridge is a fantastic project. • It's imperative that any new bridge be open to bikes • Please build the bridge so I can stop driving to get to the mountain bike trails. Please. Long overdue. • Thank you!!! • Let's get this done soon • Please make it happen. Being able to ride or hike the trail through, would be a fantastic community asset • This would be so nice for South East side residents to use current west side trail systems!!!! • Just make it happen, it is LONG overdue!!!! • This project is Paramount to SW Bend residents and our quality of life. Please do all that is possible to get this through!!!! Thank You! • This is a great plan as trail users in SW Bend on the East side of the river won't have to commute (drive) to Farewell Bend Park or the other Parks near the Old Mill to use the river trail actively. • Do NOT do it. Unnecessary waste of taxpayer dollars. • The map does not contain a specific proposed trail route near River Rim and therefore this process is significantly flawed and will likely be challenged. • Can't wait to have more access! Thank you • Area is too important for wildlife to increase traffic • I like the idea of having a continuous bike trail along the river. There are sections that are off limits or don't have a trail, and that needs to be addressed so that anyone can commute or recreate on a bike along the river on either or both sides. • I would like to have access to the river and trail in multiple ways which the new bridge and parking lot will allow. • Build! • Based on the Elk Meadow, when there are a lot of dogs, there is less wildlife. I'm assuming this trail will not go through a protected area that might disrupt habitats. • Just build it. • It’s a great project for generations to enjoy! • This is a great project and the idea of extending the River Trail and a bridge are both very favorable. • The proposed trailhead and trail areas are heavily forested and present a real fire danger. Those who live in the area fear more fires since the 1990 Awbrey Hall fire decimated the area. Additionally, a fire started by humans in 2010 threatened some of the same homes. Trespassing on private land is also a concern and infringement on the river easement along River Bend Drive. This easement is for fishing foot traffic only. • Working toward an interest in a safe bike way from DRW to town. It’s very disappointing that individuals have been allowed to rob the public of a river level route. I’m in favor of a Tumalo to Sunriver route. I assume west side has USFS route possibilities. I think a crossing from the south end of eastside housing (DRW) to connect to (assumed) west side routes would be good. I’m unaware of any established bike lanes in DRW and I do not know if you have any biking population in DRW to justify such a consideration. • “walking bridge” – good plan (South UGB Bridge) (easy access from River Bend Drive) Add a second walking bridge to create a trail loop. • I think it is a great idea and much needed access to the west side of the river. • Will there be parking on the west side? Who owns land between Cinder Cone and River? We would access the west side more often if there was a bridge. We drive now since a long north till a bridge crosses the river for bike usage. Will there be any off-trail areas to ride mtn bikes? How will it connect to Sunriver (e.g., Dillon, Benham, Rd 41, etc.) Horses? They are on other areas of this trail connection. Any user fees? (e.g., NW Forest Pass) • Great idea, I love the idea of having better access to the river trails west side from River Rim. • Tie in Buck Canyon/Cinder Cone Trail to Elk Meadow and existing park on east side of Cinder Cone. • Looking forward to residents or DRW finally having legal/public access to the Deschutes River! • It would be wonderful to have a fenced dog run park, but that might not be feasible. • This is important elk winter range habitat and there has been cumulative reduction of area and human incursion in this area – this is an area where the elk cross the river, please leave the elk alone. Also in the River Survey some years ago the consensus for the southern reach was to leave it wild and untouched. There is also a Blue Heron rookery in this area – why must humans go everywhere? Have access to everything – give the critters a break. The existing river trail on the east side (COID) is hammered – don’t want to see that happen to the south. There has not been adequate signage of the river trail north of River Rim Park so people get lost. This is wild and scenic part of the river – no bridges! • Do we need parking?? • We just moved to Bend in Sept. 2013 so have not become familiar with the trail much yet we live in DRW where there is no public access to the river and would love access. • The map is not specific enough. There should be a trail from or through the River Bend Estates along the river through the sanctuary to access South Bend as long as it does not infringe on personal property. • Great plan! • Love the idea of riding a bike to Sunriver on a bike path! • I am concerned about increased traffic on the cinder cone as my lot backs up to it. Often, people on the trail create their own paths so that they can get a look at our backyards. OK for neighbors, but not the entire county or much less visitors. • Make it so. • I am unclear as to how to access the bridge from the Buck Canyon parking lot. It happens that somehow one would have to cross an area that is privately owned (Thompson). I am very concerned about trail users parking on River Rim’s narrow streets with parking allowed only on one side of the street. How will that be managed? In addition, if the northern parking area is chosen, the people in the homes on Charleston in river Rim will back up to a parking lot, public bathroom, etc. I am sure that is not something they anticipated or would welcome. • As the Bend area grows in a southwesterly direction, access to outdoor areas becomes important to the population. Convenient points of access encourage outdoor play, recreation and exercise for all generations adding to a healthy lifestyle. Thank-you (BPRD) for your vision in this area. • Since we live in River Rim we would access the proposed trails and bridge by foot or bikes. • Thank you for opening the planning process for this project to the community. Public river access is greatly needed in this southwest region and a bridge will greatly improve access to west side trails. • Impact on residential traffic where there is already a problem in river Rim with speeding and traffic. Proximity to the “wildlife area” – we’ve already lost the elk migration corridor in this area, now let’s get rid of the remaining wildlife? They like parking lots!! Trash impact- bottles, cans, plastic “full” dog poo bags, cigarette butts now to be found in this area of the river? The city can’t maintain the existing trail! “a bridge to where”? I’m sure this would be beneficial to the developer and landowner as a “project amenity”. There are thousands of acres of recreational sites near Bend and the Deschutes River that are accessible. Keep it out of River Rim! Too bad our city forefathers did not designate this area as a Wild and Scenic river before the masses arrived to spoil what little remaining wilderness we have. I was appalled at the future plans for connecting Bend with Sunriver, via the Deschutes River Trail Project. Here are a few of my MANY concerns: 1) Are residents on the WEST side exempt from such impacts on their property or is it easier to place the parking lot, access, and destruction of the environment on the EAST side where there is more likely to be a favorable response by the masses? 2) Impact on river Rim Traffic – there is a significant traffic and safety issue already existing within this neighborhood. With only two access roads (that cut through 19mph private streets), how can the increased flow of visitors that will be using the parking lot, trail and bridge be regulated for safety and quiet domain? 3) Trash impact—I have walked the existing trail, and with great disappointment and disgust I find beer cans, soda cans, plastic water bottles, full dog poop bags, cigarette butts, and Styrofoam cups. Inevitably these pollutants wash into the river. There are not enough serviceable trash containers that are regularly maintained by the city. River pollution impact has not been addressed or mentioned in your public proposals. 4) After years of economic downturn for builders and developers, I’m sure this “recreational amenity” would benefit those who wish to go forward with property development. 5) Significant impact on one of the last remaining wildlife corridors in the area – the River Rim development admit tingly destroyed a wildlife wintering grounds for elk.