BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners have agreed to continue researching a proposal for a county park and RV campground between Bend and Redmond, on 500 acres of county-owned land. Although, there are challenges and officials agree it's very early in the discussion process.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang says he’s heard from a lot of people worried the parcel on Fort Thompson Lane would be used for a sanctioned homeless camp, "There are several other county properties where we’re actually inviting proposals for creation of a managed camp. But Fort Thompson is not one of them." He later reiterated, "There’s no interest or intention in creating a managed homeless camp at the Fort Thompson property."

At Wednesday's County Commissioner meeting, Chang said, "I think it would be a very suitable place to build up to, potentially, eight or 10 miles of trail - the 500 acres. But, we’ve learned from other counties that if you build a county park that is day-use only, it is a money sink. You are spending money every day, every week, every year to keep a day use county park open." He believes building a market-rate RV park on the property would bring in enough revenue to pay for the other services and projects at the site. 

Commissioner Tony DeBone says, "There’s a huge market need, want and desire for this, and paying customers. $35 or $50 a night; 30 amp or 50 amp electric service. There’s a whole world around this." He noted the pandemic created a much more mobile society, "Solar panels and lithium ion batteries have really empowered people to be off-grid even, just truly disconnecting. High-speed internet available by satellite, I mean, there’s a different world out there. So, there’s some exciting things about this." DeBone and Chang agreed Wednesday to move the conversation forward. "There’s a vision here," says DeBone, "A couple miles north of Bend, between Bend and Redmond. Maybe that’s a great opportunity. I’m thinking a right-in, right-out, though, because that’s a high-speed highway there, if we’re truly coming off of 97."

County staff point out there are numerous land use issues to overcome and Commissioner Patti Adair worries about the initial cost. Another county-owned property in La Pine is also under consideration for a market-rate RV park. DeBone tells KBND News if the county moves forward, a private company would manage the site.