Month: April 2026

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Bend continues to expand, city park officials are working to stay ahead of environmental damage in a lesser-used area of Shevlin Park that’s seeing a surge in visitors.

Bend Park and Recreation District staff are presenting an updated trail plan for North Shevlin Park during a board meeting Tuesday evening, aiming to address issues caused by increasing foot traffic tied to nearby development, including Skyline Ranch.

Historically, most visitors have gravitated toward South Shevlin, known for its extensive trail network and popular gathering spots. But that’s beginning to shift.

With more people entering from the north side, unauthorized trails and informal parking areas have emerged along Shevlin Park Road — leading to erosion and damage to sensitive habitat.

“I don’t think or hope that anybody would intentionally just disregard it,” said Bend resident and frequent park user Tom Donohoe. “But they might not really be cognizant of what that actually is doing. And then if it starts, people will see that one walking trail — and then it gets worse.”

District leaders say the goal is to manage that growth before impacts become more severe, while still improving access for the community.

“We sharpened our pencils and we refined that plan trail alignment to meet up with those new neighborhood connections, but also to provide access to that park,” said Henry Stroud, Principal Planner for the Bend Park and Recreation District.

The proposed refined trail plan outlines options to formalize certain paths, create designated access points and address environmental damage already occurring in the area. The effort builds on a planned trail first included in the district’s 2024 comprehensive plan update.

Unlike Tuesday’s regular business agenda, the Shevlin discussion is informational. Board members are expected to provide feedback rather than take formal action.

Park officials say planning now is key, especially as visitation continues to climb. Data shows a significant increase in use on a main North Shevlin trail, from fewer than 10,000 visitors in 2015 to more than 24,000 in 2025.

Some community members believe small changes could help guide behavior and protect the landscape.

“I think if Bend Parks could actually maybe even get some small signs in certain areas that they really want protected, hopefully people will carry that throughout, to stay on the trails,” Donohoe said.

For now, park users like Donohoe are encouraging others to be mindful while enjoying the space.

“I would say it’s just — try and be a good steward when you’re here,” he said.

The Bend Park and Recreation District board meeting runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the district office on Southwest Columbia Street, with a virtual attendance option available via Zoom.

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Barney Lerten

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — “Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home” — a major exhibition featuring the art of celebrated artist Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama) and the art of a number of the artist’s closest friends from her personal collection and collections of other art institutions — will open Thursday, May 21, at The Museum at Warm Springs. 

The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, October 10. 

Angela Anne Smith (Warm Springs, Yakama, Nez Perce, Diné) is the exhibition’s curator. Rebecca Dobkins, curator of Native American art at The Hallie Ford Museum of Art and professor emeritus of anthropology at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon is a contributing curator. 

Museum Members and the general public are invited to the opening reception on Thursday, May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Museum (2189 US-Highway 26, Warm Springs). The reception is sponsored by The Ford Family Foundation, in recognition of the Inaugural 1905 Legacy Award in the Visual Arts, which was recently awarded to Pitt. For more information about The Ford Family Foundation’s 1905 Legacy Award in the Visual Arts visit https://bit.ly/3QQyKa8. 

Reception speakers will include The Ford Family Foundation President and CEO Kara Inae Carlisle; Indigenous scholar, artist, writer and traditional healer Phillip Cash Cash (niimíipuu, weyíiletpuu); Alfred (Bud) Lane III, vice chairman of The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Pitt. 

Pitt is a Pacific Northwest Native artist whose ancestors lived in and near the Columbia River Gorge and its tributaries. The focus of her work is on creating contemporary fine art pieces that delight today’s art lovers, and at the same time, honor the history and legends of her people. 

Pitt’s art can be found in personal collections, art galleries, and museums. Her works are also displayed in numerous public spaces including parks, schools and cultural institutions. 

Other artists represented in the exhibition include Rick Bartow, Gabrielle Belz, Joe Cantrell, Phillip Cash Cash, Joe Feddersen, June Grant, Harry Fonseca, Analee Fuentes, James Lavadour, Darcy Nicholas, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Gail Tremblay, Toma Villa, Colleen Waata-Urlich, Tina Wirihana and Elizabeth Woody. Selected artworks are on loan from s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ (House of Welcome), The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington; The Hallie Ford Museum at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon and PDX CONTEMPORARY ART, Portland, Oregon. 

Six themes in Pitt’s life and art will be explored, including: Ancestry, She Who Watches, Lillian and the Art of Business, Lillian as Educator, Pacific Rim Indigenous Connection, and Collaborations and Public Art. 

“My Aunt Lillian Pitt held ground and broke ground in major art institutions and academic venues that had not previously shown contemporary works from thriving Indigenous artists of her generation,” said Elizabeth Woody (Warm Springs, Yakama, Diné), executive director of The Museum at Warm Springs. “We are so honored at The Museum at Warm Springs to be hosting this prestigious, major exhibition of Lillian’s art and the work of those who she called her kindred spirits.” 

A 96-page fully illustrated catalogue edited by Anne Keala Kelly (Kanaka Maoli, Irish) and published by The Museum at Warm Springs will retail for $40. Visitors to The Museum while the exhibition is on view from May 21 to October 10 will be able to purchase the catalog for $30, with Museum Members receiving an additional 10% off. 

The catalog essays were written by Phillip Cash Cash, Rebecca Dobkins, Alfred “Bud” Lane III, Anne Keala Kelly, Donald J. Stastny (FAIA emeritus and Board of Directors, The Museum at Warm Springs) and Elizabeth Woody. The majority of photographs in the catalog were shot by Dennis Maxwell with additional photos by Joe Cantrell. 

The catalog was designed by DeeAnn Glazier, senior graphic designer at XPress Printing, Inc., in Sisters. An 18-by-12 inch color poster also will be available for $10 in the Museum Gift Shop. 

Selected artworks in several media by Pitt and some of the other artists from the exhibition will be available for sale with a 20% commission going toward The Museum. “This will be a rare opportunity to buy artwork by this amazing collection of artists and support The Museum at Warm Springs at the same time,” said Woody. 

Become a Museum Member 

There are several levels of annual Museum Membership, which begin at $25 for elders and students. All Members receive these benefits: free admission for one year, 10% discount in the Museum Gift Shop and special invitations to exhibits and programs. Members have access to the Northwest Attractions Alliance. Through this program, membership in The Museum at Warm Springs offers free admission for individual Members and three guests of any age to a different attraction each month. Join The Museum by visiting https://museumatwarmsprings.org/ and click “Join” to see Membership levels and online payment information. Or send a check to: The Museum at Warm Springs, P.O. Box 909, Warm Springs, OR 97761 (Attn: Membership). 

About The Museum at Warm Springs 

The Museum at Warm Springs opened its doors to the public on March 14, 1993 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023. Built to Smithsonian Institution professional standards, The Museum’s mission is to preserve, advance and share the traditions, cultural and artistic heritage of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon. Regular Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Museum Members (free), Adults ($7), Senior Citizens over 60 ($6), Students 13-18 with student body card ($4.50), Children 5-12 ($3.50) and Children 4 and younger (free). The Museum is located at 2189 Highway 26 in Warm Springs. Phone: (541) 553-3331. For more information, visit https://www.museumatwarmsprings.org/. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District said Tuesday it has completed its seasonal changeover at The Pavilion and is now open for roller activities.

Spring through early fall welcomes roller skating, inline skating, skateboarding and scootering at The Pavilion’s non-ice season rink and skatepark. See the schedule for all details. There is also registration space available for programs beginning soon for roller hockey, learn to roller skate and cornhole league.

These drop-in sessions are offered from now through mid-June:

Friday Night Roller Dancing including themes of Glow Night on first Friday, Pajama Party on second Friday, Queer Night & Friends on third Friday, DJ Dance Party on fourth Friday and Costume Party on fifth Friday.

Adult Saturday Night Roller Jam – beginning May 23

$8 Cheap Skates & Skatepark on Wednesday afternoons

$8 With A Child Skate & Play, Friday mornings

$8 Sunday Family Skate & Skatepark

Open Skate & Skatepark

Fees: $8 youth (age 3-18); $9 older adult (age 65+); and $10 adult (age 19-64). Skate rental is $4 per person.

In addition, from now through September, The Pavilion skatepark features are included during Open Skate, With A Child Skate & Play, Cheap Skate and Sunday Family Skate times. Roller skates, skateboards and scooters are allowed in the skatepark – sorry, no bikes.

You can learn more at The Pavilion website.

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