The preferred concept for Miller’s Landing Park.

A $1.3 million project to improve river access at Miller’s Landing Park in Bend is expected to start construction in the coming weeks.

In a statement on Monday, the Bend Park & Recreation District said work on the river access improvement project can begin this month due to low water conditions that occur during the autumn and winter. Work is planned to wrap up next summer.

The 4.5-acre Miller’s Landing Park is one of 16 parks along the Deschutes River owned or managed by the district. The district has identified Miller’s Landing as a priority for improving access points and habitat restoration.

The new river access design at Miller’s Landing will feature an accessible roller ramp launch and transfer bench for wheelchair users to easily enter and exit the water. Other features include new concrete landings and boulder terracing that extends into the water for floaters, waders and swimmers.

The accessible boat launch will be the first of its kind in Bend. Another feature is riverbank fencing, designed to restore areas that have been damaged from overuse.

Construction fencing for the project was being installed on Monday, said Ian Isaacson, Bend Park & Recreation District project manager. The fencing work will require a slight detour for the Deschutes River Trail. Some areas of the park will be closed during construction.

Funding for the project includes a grant from the Bend Sustainability Fund, which invests in projects that create sustainable recreational resources in Bend. Funds have also been sourced from the Oregon State Marine Board Waterway Access Grant Program.

The Miller’s Landing project is part of a larger series of shoreline upgrades that will improve access to the river, areas to launch nonmotorized boats and safe spots to wade into the water. The park district aims to improve river access along the Deschutes River in Bend to help users safely enter the water while also protecting river habitat from erosion. Several new access points were completed last year on the river in areas between Riverbend Park and the Bill Healy Bridge.

Bend park district unveils Deschutes River access designs