Fort Thompson campGround and Park Project

 Update 7-8-2024:  There was an  in person discussion with seven of our members with Tony Debone.   Please see the News tab for more.  The county has agreed to an extended public process  on July 30th. See the News tab for more here as well. Several additional members have sent the commissioners additional information including Bruce Halperin and Rich Niederhof. This information is also covered on the news tab.  Bruce also has obtained additional information on the history on how this project began and some additional background. See the News tab called History Tracks for that update. 

  There were over 10 in person presentations  by our members via the 'three minute public process' as well as a new financial analysis done of this project. This information was given on June 5th and June 12th.  Please see the News tab for more.  We also have been given more historical information on the project by the DC staff. This is also noted in the News TAB

  Last fall, the board received a camping feasibility study from contractor ECONorthwest that studied three sites, another being off Drafter Road in La Pine and the third at Crooked River Ranch.. A copy of the Study is here.

In a recent March 2024 Descuhtes County Board Meeting this project was reviwed (See discussion here) and a decision was made to  proceed to apply  for  a grant.

  May 29th Bruce Halperin gave this document to the county commissioners and presented a second document that is critical of the ECONorthwest report being relied upon by the county. Bruce raises also many fundamental problems associated with the county continuing with its activities to pursue a Fort Thompson Campground and Park. The HUN executive committee agrees with Bruce. 

  May 29th Lindsey Wilcox sent this document to the county commissioners. The  document also is critical of the current path the commission is taking and discuses the Economics, Safety and impact to the ecosystem of the Fort Thompson project being considered. Here is the Link to the document

  Here is the letter and the attachments that were sent to the commissioners on May 15th.

May 4th 2024 Bend Bulletin.

Phil Chang stated:

“One of the big problems with county parks is that a county park is only open for day use is a money sink. County parks with campgrounds have a much better opportunity to be either revenue neutral or even revenue positive. And, you know we have so much dispersed camping on our federal lands right outside of the city of Bend, I think a developed campground in a nice spot that has plumbing, toilets, water and maybe even electrical hookups, WIFI--. I think it has a role to play in drawing some of the van life component out of our federal lands. Then it would make it easier to know where our home less folks are and you, know do an outreach and support them or send law enforcement to work with them as necessary”. 

 Here  are the documents being used in the may 29th Meeting.Click Here 

Here is recent news articles about this project