Cute little park…read more Note there's no shade on playground in morning. We ended up hanging out more on the grass field where there was a ton of shade. A cool feature of the playground: It's shaped like a pirate ship, and it includes a bouncy plank! There's a small shaded picnic table area with maybe 3-6 tables. There is a water fountain and port-a-potties. Parking was not easy on 4th of July. There was no dedicated lot, and the park's located in a busy residential area.

Great park and playground! We stopped by to let the kids get some energy out and they have a…read morereally nice pirate ship-themed playground. There is also a slide that goes down the hill right alongside the banks of the river, and just a few yards away is a neat wooden bridge that crosses the Deschutes. It was so cool to see tons of people floating down the river, right from the park. Kids had fun and we'd come again.

This is for the dog park: we were visiting Bend and wanted to give our pup a chance to blow of…read moresteam and play with other dogs. There is an area for smaller dogs, and an area for larger dogs. All is fenced in, and includes quite a few benches for humans to sit. My biggest gripe is that there is a dog bowl, but no way to fill it with water. Being high desert, I'd expect that there would be a way to get the dogs some water. Luckily I brought my own, and suddenly became really popular with all the other thirsty dogs begging for water. I realize that's a luxury, but with a dry climate, I guess I thought there'd be some way for them to stay hydrated. There are lots of trees, so the area is well shaded, but completely dirt.

This review is for the new skatepark only. My son frequents this place, he's 14, so I'm the…read morechauffeur. I am pleasantly surprised every time I bring him here that there are lots of kids all skating. Meaning, no kids lurking, or loitering. I think that the kids using this skatepark are there to do just that, skate. Great. Definitely mixed ages, a few parents supervising the younger kids, all in all I think it's a pretty decent place. From a skateboarders perspective, it's great. There is an older skatepark on the other side of the park and that's where the scooters are. Perfect. Skateboards and scooters are a tough mix, so nice that the kids themselves have decided to keep things separate. Nothing wrong with skaters, or scooters, but it's easier logistically to keep it separate. I haven't checked out the park in earnest, but know that the part I can see that it's a street skating park. I haven't seen any bowls. Plenty of parking, plenty of seating for those parents who want to watch. Clean.

Shevlin park is somewhere we would visit every summer growing up when visiting family in the area…read more They have great trails, fishing, picnicking, and even slow spots where you can get in the water. Shevlin park has a teepee that you can check out and go inside of, they have more than one trail, good for bike riding, dog walking, fishing. I remember having picnics here as a kid and I still come back as an adult when in the area. They trails are low impact and fairly flat.

My mom friend and I were visiting from out of town. As we were visiting Dudley's bookshop, the book…read moreshop seller shared that we had to try hiking here. We absolutely love nature, and knew we had to try it. At first upon arriving, I feared there would be no parking at 11:00 a.m. However, the lot was only halfway full which was nice. The trails were laid out on the trail map a little ways past the shelter on the left, but there was a discrepancy between what the trail map said and the websites listed in terms of trail names and trail lengths. So, we decided to forge our own path. We took the main loop around. The conifer trees and contrast with the desert landscape were beautiful, and the creek shots were stunning.

Great place for a peaceful walk…read more We love Riley for getting some exercise in a serene setting. There are a couple of loops running the upper perimeter of the ranch...flat and easy for anyone. Then there's the gorgeous canyon loop below, through the trees and along the river. Both are great, but canyon loop is my favorite, just a beautiful space...large boulders, sweet trees, and the constant sound of rushing Deschutes. Apparently you can take the canyon trail to Tumalo State Park, although we haven't done that yet. Love having this space for nature and animals. Although we saw deer on the way in, we didn't see any while inside, but we did spot lots of tracks...as well as lots of birds. Great preserve!

Riley Ranch is a wonderful nature area operated by Bend Parks & Rec that probably many Bendites…read moredon't know about yet. It hasn't been open long. - Scenic views of the Deschutes, where the river runs fairly fast and has carved a canyon through the lava. Above the canyon wall on the east side lies Gopher Gulch air field (private property). - Lots of riparian areas here. People are instructed to only approach the river at designated access points. There are several, so that isn't too much of a restriction. - Junipers and ponderosas abound. - Trails are easy walking on mostly level terrain in the higher elevation areas (Juniper and Sage Loops). Robin's Run is a short segment which drops down somewhat steeply but there are rock steps installed to make it easier. The Canyon Loop trails along the river are much like you'd encounter along the Deschutes River Trail south of Bend. - This is a well-marked hiking area. Directional signs at key intersections, a very good overall map at both entrances (and mini-versions on some intersection markers), river access points identified. - If you keep going north past the Canyon Loop, the trail will take you out of Riley Ranch and towards Tumalo State Park. Along the way is the confluence of Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes River, which is pretty cool. - There are a couple of old (~1900) cabins fenced off along the Canyon Loop trail (one is actually a short distance down the trail towards Tumalo SP). - A Bend Parks & Rec person was stationed at the parking lot on a Sunday to remind people not to bring their dogs. - Medium-sized parking lot. As Rick J suggests, maybe its not larger on purpose. There's certainly room for a bigger lot. Bend has a surplus of great in-town and nearby casual walking trails. Riley Ranch is one.

Great for toddlers / little walkers and older kids (5-9). Also has coveted picnic tables and one…read moretable is wheelchair friendly. The park is not closed in with a fence or natural barrier so might not be a good choice with "runners" many many dogs come through as well if your kid is scared...

Quail Park is a short-stop park. There's a basketball goal, a pickleball court, some playground…read moreequipment, a small pavillon), and a portable toilet. It's also mostly a neighborhood park. It's fullest in the early evenings when people come to walk their dogs and kids run around after school. The grass is dark green and full. The goal, court, and equipment are all in good repair. Mornings are a great time for quiet and contemplation. Saturdays and Sundays around sundown are too.

Small neighborhood park that for its size is very nice. Play scape, basketball court, a couple of…read moregrass fields and a covered patio

Juniper Park feels like a really old but well maintained park. My girlfriend and I walked around…read morefor a while and it struck me how peaceful it is with the large fields with a bunch of old growth trees around. The park has a bunch of amenities too! A fitness center, swimming center, playground, and a tennis court. The squirrels here are absurdly fat, clearly living luxurious in Bend. This is one of the nicest parks in Bend. It's simple, welcoming, and just feels good to be in. Five out of five stars!

This is another beautiful, well maintained park in Bend. I have been taking my kiddo here mainly…read morefor tennis lessons and I love walking around the park while waiting. Only negative I could think of was the parking lot. Wish it was bigger.

It's a nice park but half of it is all sand. My dogs were so dusty. They grassy part was just so…read morecrowded i didnt want to engage with other people and dogs. There are some places where they can jump in a river but it isn't really convenient to have them jump in. They won't be fully submerged which is what I need.

This is an amazing dog park. We were on vacation in Bend and discovered it on line. Our pup could…read morerun through a natural habitat of high desert. Could barely see the fencing. Lovely park with very friendly dog parents!