The Bend Park and Recreation District announced the final phase of an approximately $8 million improvement project at Pine Nursery Park, bringing new athletic facilities and upgraded amenities to the 159‑acre community hub.
New courts and lighting for year‑round play
Visitors can now enjoy a brand‑new full‑court basketball court and eight additional pickleball courts, raising the total number of pickleball surfaces at the park to 24. Eight of those courts remain open for public drop‑in use at all times, except during a limited number of annual tournaments.
Dark‑sky‑compliant lighting was installed along both the new sports fields and the perimeter loop trail, extending usable hours during the shorter daylight periods of fall and spring. The lighting upgrades also include field illumination for the newly converted artificial‑turf baseball infields.
Additional park enhancements
Beyond the courts, the district completed a new pedestrian connection to Deschutes Market Road, upgraded the off‑leash dog area, and repaired paving and lighting along the loop trail. A new storage shed and fencing improve maintenance operations, while a renovated storage space now serves Oregon Adaptive Sports exclusively.
Community partnerships drive the project
The renovation was carried out by Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company after a competitive bidding process. Funding and support came from local partners, most notably the Bend Pickleball Club, which raised half of the costs for the eight new pickleball courts. District Recreation Services Director Jase Newton highlighted the collaborative effort, saying, “Collaborating with partners and seeking opportunities to collaborate is on display at Pine Nursery Park and it serves the community best when we’re able to align goals and resources.”
Newton added that the district aims to maximize public investments, noting that the upgrades “deliver greater value to the community, expand recreation opportunities and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.”
Looking ahead
The final elements of the project are slated for completion by early fall, promising a fully functional, modernized park that supports the roughly one million annual visits Pine Nursery Park receives. The enhancements reflect priorities identified in the district’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan and its 2024 mid‑term update, underscoring a long‑term commitment to quality recreation for Bend families.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
