Recreational Trails Program Accepting Grant Applications For Trail Projects (Photo) - 09/16/25

SALEM, Oregon— The Recreational Trails Program is accepting grant applications through Nov. 15 for the approximately $1.6 million in grant funds available for the 2025 grant cycle.

Grants are available for constructing new trails, restoring or improving existing trails, trailhead facilities, trail building and maintenance equipment, land or easement acquisitions, safety and education, accessibility assessments of trails, and water trails.

The federally funded reimbursement grant program provides matching grants to construct, expand or improve public trails for motorized and non-motorized use. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via https://oprdgrants.org by October 15. Applications are due Nov. 15. New applicants must create an account online.

The grant program is open to local governments, park districts, state and federal agencies, tribal governments, other public land managers and nonprofits.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Since 1993, the program has funded over 550 projects across Oregon.

Information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions, program schedule, and a webinar recording is on the Recreational Trails Program web page: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx

Questions can be directed to Jodi Bellefeuille, Recreational Trails Program coordinator, at jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-856-6316.

Public Meeting In Pacific City To Discuss Dike At Sitka Sedge State Natural Area (Photo) - 09/12/25

PACIFIC CITY, Oregon — Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will host a townhall meeting 3 p.m. Friday, October 3 at Kiawanda Community Center to discuss the proposed setback dike to replace the one at  Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.

OPRD and its partner, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, are designing a proposed setback dike to replace the tide control function of the existing dike, which has been failing. This meeting will update the community on the progress of that planning, which is moving forward. 

The informational meeting will be held in person at 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive in Pacific City and include a presentation and time for questions.

For those who cannot attend the meeting in person, it will be livestreamed via webinar and recorded. Join the webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89208642216 or find a recording online afterward at OPRD’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkqL6iVPBrfCTO27cNmCTwg.

Internet speed issues in the area have made past audio and video streams of meeting content choppy. OPRD will continue to try to find ways of improving webinar audio and video quality.

Visit the website to learn more about the project, including a fact page on the right-hand side.

Astronomy Festival Brings Star Parties, Photography, Hikes & More Sept. 25-27 (Photo) - 09/09/25

COOS BAY, Oregon— The Sunset Bay Astronomy Festival returns to Sunset Bay and Shore Acres state parks near Coos Bay for a three-day event Sept. 25-27.

Activities include guided hikes, interpretive programs including JR Ranger programs, a night-sky photography workshop on Sept. 25 and a star party each night.

“Places like Sunset Bay and Shore Acres offer visitors a chance to see the natural world not only during the day but also at night. They’re special because they show us what the sky looked like everywhere before light pollution. Seeing the night sky in its full brilliance is powerful and, for many, even emotional,” said Park Manager Lee Ricci.

The astronomy festival gives visitors a chance to see and learn more about the night sky.

NOTE: Outdoor events are weather dependent.

Thursday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Our Star, The Sun JR Ranger Program at Sunset Bay Interpretive Center
• 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Night Sky Photography Workshop. Sign up required. Email Kenneth.Page@oprd.oregon.gov to sign up.
• 7:30 p.m.: Navigating by The Stars program at Shore Acres Gardens
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Thursday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

Friday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Constellation Station Junior Ranger Program at Sunset Bay Interpretive Center
• 12-2 p.m.: Solar Viewing with special telescope at Shore Acres Observation Building
• 6-7 p.m.: Jellyfish: The Alien Next Door guided hike (meet at Shore Acres Observation Building for 1-mile hike)
• 7:30: How to Talk to Aliens Even if You’re Shy evening program at Shore Acres Garden
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Friday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

Saturday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Guided hike (Meet at Interpretive Center at Sunset Bay Campground for 1-mile hike)
• 12-2 p.m.: Solar Viewing with special telescope at Shore Acres Observation Building
• 7:30 p.m.: Imagining Other Worlds Night Program at Shore Acres
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Saturday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

Emergency Closure Of Bates State Park Due To Nearby Bridge Fire - 09/04/25

JOHN DAY, Oregon— Bates State Park is closed, and the campground was evacuated due to the nearby Bridge Fire around 8 a.m. today.

The park is under an evacuation in cooperation with Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Staff started contacting guests shortly before 8 a.m. to help evacuate the park.

Staff also set irrigation lines to water the three park structures to protect them from the fire if it reaches the park.

Staff do not know when it will be safe to reopen the park, but they will work in cooperation with fire officials to make that decision. Updates will be posted on the park webpage: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=109

New Business Partner Up & Running At Silver Falls With Cabins, Café, Store & More (Photo) - 09/04/25

SILVERTON, Oregon— Earlier this year, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department selected a new business partner to operate Smith Creek Village cabins, South Falls Café and two historic ranches at Silver Falls State Park.

Silver Falls is one of the most popular parks in the state with an estimated 1.5 million day-use visits per year and features the nationally recognized Trail of Ten Falls.

The contracts to operate Smith Creek Village, the historic ranches and the café expired, opening them up for new proposals. The top proposal came from Guest Services, Inc., a hospitality management company and concessionaire for parks across the United States.

“Silver Falls’ stunning waterfalls, rugged trails and towering forests remind us all what’s worth protecting,” said JJ Condella, general manager for Guest Services, Inc. “We are honored to have the opportunity to elevate the experience through thoughtful stewardship, warm hospitality and locally driven experiences.”

Guest Services, doing business as Visit Silver Falls, is now up and running with existing lodging, café dining, event spaces and a new retail space. There are 17 cabins and two ranches, perfect to serve everyone from solo hikers to large families to wedding parties year-round.

Accommodations include:

• Four family-sized cabins for up to 12 guests each
• Eight tiny cabins accommodating two to three visitors each
• Four duplex-style cabins for two guests per unit
• One private cabin for four people.
• Two ranches, including the historic 1880s Davidson Ranch (known locally as Old Ranch) for event rentals for up to 100 guests during the day and 75 bunk-style accommodations for overnight.

The South Falls Café, a fast-casual eatery located near the South Falls trailhead, is now open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and the Big Leaf Market & Grill is open for grab-and-go food and beverages 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Guest Services also opened a new retail space, Ten Falls Supply Co., near the South Falls Lodge, featuring hiking gear including trekking poles, backpacks, water bottles and trail snacks as well as sustainable, locally made goods, such as soaps, apparel and Silver Falls Coffee Co. products.

In the future, Guest Services plans to add a full-service, family-friendly restaurant within Smith Creek Village at the Big Leaf Market & Grill.

“This business partnership is a good example of how we can enhance the visitor experience through additional opportunities while also maintaining the beauty of the park and generating revenue for park operations,” said Park Manger Chris Gilliand.

“Not everyone has the gear or the ability to tent or RV camp. Partnerships like this expend overnight opportunities year-round without the need for outdoor equipment.”

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking additional business partners including concessionaires like Guest Services as well as sponsorships and public-private partnerships at parks around the state to increase opportunities for recreation and build a more sustainable financial future.

OPRD launched an online form for businesses that are interested in future partnerships. The opportunities must align with OPRD’s mission of stewardship and not take away from the purpose of the land. 

Currently, there are approximately eight concessionaire agreements like the one at Silver Falls, including agreements to run marinas and overnight historic hotels, and dozens of partnerships running everything from kayak rentals to guided hiking. Businesses are encouraged to share new ideas online.

For more information about the amenities at Smith Creek Village, the historic ranches and the café, visit the website at https://visitsilverfalls.com/

Photos of Smith Creek Village and more are available for download.  

Oregon State Parks And Recreation Commission Meets Sept. 16-17 In Astoria - 09/02/25

ASTORIA, Oregon — ASTORIA, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Sept. 16-17 in Astoria, Oregon.  

On Sept. 16, commissioners will tour Fort Stevens in the morning and conduct a work session 1 to 3 p.m. about the Reimagine State Parks strategic initiative and a rate review.  

On Sept. 17, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at the Astoria Elks Lodge #180, 453 11^th St. in Astoria to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be open to the public. 

Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting. To watch the business meeting, go to the livestream on the OPRD Director’s Office YouTube channel.  

The business meeting also includes time for informal public comments related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available online at https://bit.ly/registersep2025commission 

The deadline for registering to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., Sept. 12. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Sept. 12 to OPRC.publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov 

The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on this webpage and will be posted on the commission web page.  

Notable requests:  

• Request to adopt recommended grants for 2025 Local Government Grant Program (LGGP): 

• Large Grants totaling $15,707,853 

• Small Grants totaling $1,101,673 

• Planning Grants totaling $450,000 

• Request to adopt ATV sound and equipment rules after rulemaking responsibility was transferred from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).  

• Request to adopt Public Contract and Procurement Rules to outline OPRD’s public contracting and procurement requirements. Senate Bill 838 exempts OPRD from the Public Contracting Code except for surplus property and information technology related procurement.  

• Request to adopt rules about Special Assessment for Historic Property in response to House Bill 3190, which reauthorizes the program as a 10-year benefit for commercial, income-producing historic properties. 

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.  

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.  

Golden And Silver Falls State Natural Area Seeking Volunteers Sept. 13 (Photo) - 08/29/25

ALLEGANY, Oregon— Join park rangers for the Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area fall clean-up event 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Volunteers will help clean up the parking area and conduct trail work at the park, which is about 25 miles northeast of Coos Bay. There will be something for everyone to help with. Lend a hand and help get the park ready for winter.

To sign up or for more information contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov

Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground and trails to the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools.

Dress for the weather. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Remember to bring a water bottle, sack lunch and work gloves if you have them (some will be provided if not). Snacks will be provided.

If you have questions about the event, email ranger Jess at jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov.

If you need to contact staff on the day of the event, please call park ranger Jess Hayward at 541-888-3732.

Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site Adds More Tours For The Rest Of 2025 Season (Photo) - 08/26/25

SALEM, Oregon— Tours of the historic building will be offered eight times a day Thursday through Monday starting this week and running through October when the building closes for the season.

Previously, the tours were offered three days a week due to low staffing levels this year. Now both the historic building and the Interpretive Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Access to the Kam Wah Chung building is only available during guided tours.

The Kam Wah Chung building is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the home and businesses of two Chinese immigrants, Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On. For more than 60 years the building was a social, medical and religious center for Oregon's Chinese community.

Tours of the historic building will run at the top of every hour, the last one beginning at 4 p.m. The free, 45-minute historic building tour begins at the Interpretive Center at 125 NW Canton Street in John Day. Space is limited to 8 people per tour.  

For more information or questions about booking tours and operating hours, please call the park office at 541-575-2800.

If you don’t have the opportunity to visit this heritage site, you can learn more about the site and Chinese American history in Oregon through these online resources:

• Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project
• National Historic Landmark Nomination: Kam Wah Chung Company Building
• Oregon Encyclopedia: Chinese Americans in Oregon and Kam Wah Chung and Co.
• Oregon Historical Society: Beyond Chinatown: Uncovering Oregon’s Rural Chinese History and Centering Chinese History in Oregon and Herbs & Roots: A History of Chinese Doctors in the American Medical Marketplace

Seeking Volunteers To Fill Two Vacancies On The ATV Advisory Committee (Photo) - 08/25/25

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking two volunteers to serve on the ATV Advisory Committee and ATV Grant Subcommittee starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The openings are four-year terms and include one representative for Class II (4wd/sand rails) and one representative for Class III (dirt bikes).

The seventeen-member ATV Committee meets once or twice a year. Duties include reviewing accidents and fatalities resulting from ATV recreation; reviewing changes to statutory vehicle classifications as necessary for safety considerations; reviewing safety features of all classes of ATVs; and recommending appropriate safety requirements to protect child and adult ATV operators.

The ATV Grant Subcommittee is responsible for reviewing and recommending grant funding in support of ATV recreational activities throughout the state. The grants support operations and maintenance, law enforcement, emergency medical services, land acquisition, safety/education, planning and development.

The Grant Subcommittee holds up to four public meetings per year that may be conducted either in-person or remotely. Computer access and experience is mandatory.

Ideal candidates representing the interest of ATV trail users can live anywhere in Oregon with experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Land management
• Recreation planning
• Trail planning or design
• Recreation related volunteerism, or
• A trail enthusiast who is uniquely qualified to evaluate statewide project proposals through other experience and involvement.

Strong candidates may also demonstrate an awareness of statewide recreational trail needs, other broad recreational issues and the importance of providing accessible recreational opportunities.

To apply for one of the open positions, go to the ATV-AC webpage and click the “Committee Interest Form” link at the bottom of the section. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. September 12, 2025.

For more information, contact Jeff Trejo, OPRD ATV Safety Education Coordinator, at jeff.trejo@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-586-9622.

Grant Applications Open Sept. 15 For Land And Water Conservation Fund Grants - 08/21/25

SALEM, Oregon— The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program (LWCF) will start accepting applications Sept. 15 for the approximately $8 million in funds for the 2025 grant cycle.

Applications are due by Nov. 17. The LWCF is a federally funded reimbursement grant program that provides matching grants to state and local governments for land acquisition, development and rehabilitation for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts, port districts, federally recognized tribal governments and certain Oregon state agencies.

An optional webinar is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 10 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Register for the live workshop at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4z-v0Hu-RnuaWfDOQjv_8Q.  

A recording of the webinar will be posted on the LWCF web page after September 10.

Access to the LWCF application will be available online at oprdgrants.org when the grant cycle opens. New applicants must first request an account via the website before they are granted application access.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is funded through the National Park Service and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Since 1964, this national grant program has awarded more than $80 million in grant funds for Oregon recreational areas and facilities.

Additional information about the LWCF program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is available on the Land and Water Conservation Fund web page.

For information, contact Nohemi Enciso at nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-480-9092.