(Kids play at the splash pad at the new Alpenglow Park in southeast Bend. Envision Bend will have a pop-up tent at the park during its grand opening on July 15 | Photo courtesy Envision Bend)
Bend Vision Project to Launch Public Phase
Envision Bend will officially launch the Bend Vision Project the week of July 11 with a public listening session, a press conference, release of a public survey and participation in other community events.
Since March, the Bend Vision Project has been in its “quiet” phase, interviewing community leaders and connectors, recruiting project partners and researching global, national and local trends.
We are now ready to reach out extensively to all residents to learn more about what they believe is needed to improve the quality of life for everyone in the greater Bend area. This outreach phase will include the community survey, a series of “Listen & Envision” events, workshops, a presence at numerous community festivals and events, prize giveaways and more. Here is Envision Bend’s schedule during Launch Week:
- Envision Bend Press Conference, 4-5pm, July 12, at Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend
- Participation at Oregon Adaptive Sports’s Bike Night, 4-7pm, July 13, at Pine Nursery Park, 3750 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend
- Bend Vision Project “Listen & Envision” public virtual event, 11:30am-1pm, July 14, via Zoom (registration opening soon at org)
- Participation at the Central Oregon Latino Partnership Program’s Conexiones event, 4:30-6:30pm, July 14, at The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave., Bend
- Participation at the Alpenglow Park grand opening with a pop-up tent, 4-8pm, July 15, the park is located at 61049 SE 15th St., Bend
For up-to-date information about Launch Week, visit our website or our Facebook page.
Envision Bend Engaging with People at Local Events
Envision Bend has been engaging with community members about the Bend Vision Project at a variety of locations and events over the past several weeks. On June 14, we presented at the City Club of Central Oregon luncheon. The program included asking those in attendance for ideas on how to improve the greater Bend area. On June 19, Envision Bend had a booth at the Juneteenth celebration in Drake Park. We followed that up with a booth at the June 25 Central Oregon Pride Festival at Drake Park. Be looking for us at other community events in July and August!
Project Partners Represent Cross Section of Bend Area
Envision Bend is pleased to announce the Bend Vision Project’s official partner organizations. The project partners, representing a cross section of the community, include (in alphabetical order):
- Bend Bulletin
- Bend Chamber of Commerce
- Bend-LaPine Schools
- Bend Police Department
- Central Oregon Disability Support Network
- Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
- City Club of Central Oregon
- Council on Aging of Central Oregon
- Deschutes Public Library System
- Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)
- High Desert Food & Farm Alliance
- Latino Community Association
- Mosaic Medical
- Neighborhood Leadership Alliance
- NeighborImpact
- Charles Health System & Foundation
- The Environmental Center
These organizations have publicly endorsed the Bend Vision Project and have agreed to align the Bend Vision Project’s Action Plan with their own planning work where appropriate, help distribute an upcoming public survey and other information and assist with data collection and the development of metrics.
We thank them for partnering with Envision Bend and the Bend Vision Project!
Source Weekly Podcast Features Bend Vision Project
Bend Vision Project’s Steven Ames was interviewed recently on the Source Weekly’s ‘Bend Don’t Break: A Podcast for the New Normal’ podcast. Ames talked about Envision Bend, the Bend Vision Project and why developing a vision for a community is so important. Have a listen by clicking here.
