September 13, 2024 3:20 a.m.
The Douglas County Parks Department has announced that Pass Creek County Park & Campground will be permanently closed on September 30th.
A county release said this is the result of a combination of financial and operational challenges, including low occupancy rates and insufficient revenue to cover operating costs. This action was recommended by the county’s Parks Advisory Board during a meeting early this year.
Parks Director Mark Wall said, “Pass Creek County Park simply does not generate enough revenue to cover the annual costs to operate the park or to support additional investments”. Wall said, “The Parks Department is intentionally managed to be financially self-sustaining. Therefore, as a department that operates without any general fund support, it is imperative that we make fiscally responsible and sometimes difficult decisions, like this one”. Wall said the closure and eventual sale of the park will free up capital and staff resources that will be used elsewhere in the park system to address deferred maintenance needs, add new amenities, and provide an overall improved experience for its users.
The release said the Parks Department plans to sell the property via a public process, such as an auction or real estate listing, with an anticipated sale before the end of the year. Proceeds from the sale of the park are earmarked to be matched with previously approved grant funding and will be reinvested into the ongoing rehabilitation of two inland county parks: Charles V. Stanton Park and Whistlers Bend County Park.
In addition to addressing budgetary concerns, the sale of the park opens the door for potential private development. Recently approved changes could allow the new owner to develop the property into a mobile home park or long-term stay RV park, which could address some of the housing needs in north Douglas County.
Located adjacent to Pass Creek at 201 Curtin Park Road in Curtin, the park is comprised of a day use park with a reservable pavilion, playground, restroom and pond. The campground has 30 full hook-up campsites, showers and restrooms.
For more information on the sale of Pass Creek County Park & Campground and future updates on its listing, contact the County Parks Department at 957-7001 or at: www.douglascounty/or.gov/parks.