With summer approaching, we’re highlighting safe routes to parks as an important piece of a connected biking and walking network. So grab the kids and hop on your bicycle(s) for an afternoon of fun in a few of Bend’s west side parks.
Compass Park to Drake Park
We’ll start at Compass Park in Northwest Crossing. For the most direct route head east on Droulliard Street all the way to 18th. But if you’d like to stay off main streets, go south on Meriwether Place out of Compass Park all the way to Lolo Drive. Unless you enjoy hopping curbs, go straight across Lolo Drive to get on the far sidewalk using the curb cutout. This will take you to the gravel access trail to the paved West Bend path below. Look for the trail connector signs by the big Ponderosa Pine tree. Drop onto the path and meander your way down, then turn left onto the paved West Bend path. Take this separated multi-use path under Lemhi Pass and to the top of the hill at the intersection of Hartford and Flagline Drive. A quick left then right onto Hartford for just a bit will take you to a left turn onto 18th Street. Here’s where our routes come together again. Turn right at the bottom of the hill onto Stannium Road, a wide but bike-friendly neighborhood street. At the end of Stannium, turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue, a neighborhood greenway (link). Have a zen moment waiting to cross 14th and carry on straight on the greenway all the way to its end at Harmon Park. Turn right on Harmon to access the playground or turn left to get to our final destination, Drake Park. Access the wooden footbridge to cross the river by turning right on Nashville Avenue after the last softball field. Practice common courtesy when crossing the bridge and walk bikes while others are present, it’s a great time to scan for goslings on Mirror Pond or watch the swallows scoop gnats out of the air. Across the bridge, enjoy the open space in the park or follow the paved paths (straight or left) to get to downtown where you’ll find plenty of front row parking for bikes!
Route from Compass Park to Drake Park. The dashed line shows the direct route along Droulliard St. The solid line shows the quieter but longer route.
Compass Park to Upper Shevlin Park – this route also makes a great Safe Route to School for grades K-12 at William E. Miller Elementary, Pacific Crest Middle, and Summit High schools.
We’re staying off main streets again here starting in Compass Park. Head south toward Meriwether Place. Go straight across Lolo Drive to get on the far sidewalk using the curb cutout. This will take you to the gravel access trail to the paved West Bend path below. Look for the trail connector signs by the big Ponderosa Pine tree. Drop onto the path and meander your way down, then turn right onto the path, heading west. Take the path and cross straight across at the Mt. Washington Drive & Skyliner roundabout (wait for cars exiting the roundabout – we suggest taking the crosswalk here). Continue to follow the separated paved path up to the intersection with Skyline Ranch Rd. Here we have shorter and longer ride options:
- To Discovery Park (shorter ride):
Turn right on Skyline Ranch Road and right again at Crosby/Crossing Rd and then left on Discovery Park Rd. to drop into the park.These wide sidewalks are great for young kids to ride on. Turn left onto the paved path through the park, entering by the enclosed off-leash dog park.
Route from Compass Park to Discovery Park.
- To Shevlin Park (longer ride; note this route turns to gravel/dirt path and may be suitable for more experienced riders):
Continue on the paved path west of Skyline Ranch Rd. Turn right on Tree Farm Dr. into the Tree Farm neighborhood and follow the paved path until a sign on the left directs you to the Outback Trail. Take this dirt trail following Outback trail signs. After passing the Outback Water Facility, bear right, not down the hill on Bill’s Trail on which bikes aren’t allowed. A few hundred yards farther, the Outback Trail turns left and heads down the hill. At the intersection at the base of the hill, jiggedy-jog right to get on the Western Larch trail, which gains you access to Upper Shevlin park and several other connector trails.
Route extension from Skyline Ranch Rd through the Tree Farm to Shevlin Park.