The Bend Park & Recreation District announced Wednesday that it obtained $2 million in grants for an upcoming renovation of Sawyer Park.

The grants, from the Land and Water Conservation Fund ($1,299,163) and the Local Government Grant Program ($749,163), will fund approximately 71% of the planned project, with the remainder to be obtained through property taxes.

According to the park district, Sawyer Park is one of the oldest green spaces in Bend. The Deschutes River runs through the park. But the infrastructure can no longer keep up with the estimated 100,000 visitors per year. Bronwen Mastro, the project manager for the Sawyer Park Asset Replacement Project, said the idea for the renovation began as a maintenance project for the parking lot. But, after a community outreach campaign, the park district decided to expand the project.

“It was a direct result of input from the community,” Mastro said. “We are excited that we not only have the opportunity to meet the maintenance needs but can also improve the experience for folks in the park.”

Under the expanded project, the renovation will relocate Sawyer Park’s parking area closer to O.B. Riley Road, improve trail accessibility and add permanent facilities such as a restroom, picnic shelter and river overlook. For a more detailed project overview, visit the park district’s website: https://www.bendparksandrec.org/project/sawyerparkupgrades/.

The district expects the renovation to be complete by 2025. Mastro could not comment on future closures but said she doesn’t expect construction to start “for at least a year.”