Construction set to begin on first phase of West Bend Trails Project; unlikely to impact trail users

(Update: adding video; Forest Service, Central Oregon Trail Alliance comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After years of planning, the Deschutes National Forest and the Central Oregon Trail Alliance are set to begin implementation of the West Bend Trails Project.

The goal of the project is to provide quality recreation opportunities for trail users of all experience levels while minimizing disturbance and negative impacts to other resources.

COTA Executive Director Emmy Andrews told KTVZ News on Wednesday, "Talks literally probably started a decade ago, and then it was around 2021 that we really got into more specific planning with the Forest Service, I think in the summer of 2024, that the forest made their final decision."

The forest, in partnership with COTA, plans to begin trail construction of the COD Easy Option connectivity route this Friday.

"There's a trail called COD, if people know it. And it's rather technical - a lot of it is rather difficult," Andrews said.

The approximately 0.65-mile section of new trail will provide single-track trail connectivity suitable for all trail users. The existing technical trail sections of COD Trail will still be available for those seeking a more challenging trail experience.

Additionally, an unauthorized trail in the area will be decommissioned to provide habitat where wildlife can seek refuge and avoid disturbance in this highly recreated part of the forest. Several sections of existing trail will also be renamed to provide for more intuitive use of the trail system.

This initial phase of trail work for the West Bend Trails Project is expected to be complete in a week, by Friday, April 11.

"The West Bend Trails Project as a whole will be implemented over the next several years," said Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs and Partnership Affairs Officer Kaitlyn Webb.

The Forest Service says there isn't a set budget or single source of funding for the project. The approved actions will be broken into smaller projects for implementation.

"This is because much of the work will be done with volunteers and partners and will involve them procuring sources of funding," Webb said. "We know that several partners have grant applications in the works with the Oregon Recreation and Trails Program and the Visit Bend Sustainability Fund."

No road or trail closures are anticipated at this time, but the Forest Service says the public should recreate with caution in the area during this timeframe because heavy equipment will be operating in the area.

To provide for public safety, recreators are asked to provide trail workers and heavy equipment ample space while they work.

Andrews said, "I don't think people really think about how much work goes into doing something like this, to all the planning and thinking about all the different resources that are impacted. You know, it's not just as simple as putting a trail through the woods."

Project planning documents can be viewed on the Deschutes National Forest website here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65732&exp=overview. 

A web map detailing the project can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b74242b5ab504fec821dda37081741f9 .

For more information, you can reach out to the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.