Bend Park and Recreation Candidates Questionnaire

For Old Farm District Neighborhood Association

Name: Ted Schoenborn Occupation: Retired

Address: 2473 NW 2^nd St., Bend, OR 97701

Phone: 541-385-5224 Email: schoenborn@bendcable.com

1. Why do you want to be on the Bend Parks and Recreation Board?

I have a long-term commitment to parks and recreation. It has been my honor to serve community park districts for almost 25 years. My experience in building parks and developing recreation programs within budget will continue to be valuable to Bend.

As a national Gold Medal Finalist, the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District is acknowledged to be one of the top four programs in the Unites States. I pledge to help the District continue its tradition of excellence.

2. In what Direction would you like to see the Bend Park and recreation Board go over the next 5 years?

I believe that the BMPRD is on the proper course and will continue to provide the same high quality levels of service now provided to residents of the District. The five year Capital Improvement Plan for the District calls for spending more than $18 Million to accommodate the growth here in Bend. This plan will not require additional revenue sources.

There will be new opportunities for Bend and the Park District in the next five years. In the last year the Board has been approached by groups willing to partner in the development of an ice rink, a whitewater river trail, an equestrian center, and a skateboard park. With partnership and careful planning, these resources can be developed.

Because the School District plans to drop all middle school sports, we must develop a strategy to support middle school sports programs through District partnership with the Bend La Pine School District. The BMPRD will use the Park District's middle school basketball partnership with the School District as the model.

BMPRD will continue to lead the development of the Urban Trails Plan by encouraging the City, Urban Renewal District, property owners and other groups to partner for trails. Completion of the Deschutes River Trail is tantalizingly close.

3. What vision do you have for park and recreation opportunities in Southeast Bend?

The District is continuing to acquire land for neighborhood parks and to acquire rights of way for trails and trail connections. Of the eleven neighborhood parks developed in the past two years, more that half have been on the east side of town. The District is acquiring rights of way from the various Special Irrigation Districts to help complete the Bend Urban Trails Plan. These rights of way will link the east side trails to the Deschutes River Trail.

There is also the possibility of establishing a dog park on Park District Property near the High Desert Middle School at the corner of Knott Road and 27^th. This site was considered and postponed until the two dog parks under development could be evaluated. If they work as well as expected, it is likely that this site will be developed as a dog park.

For additional. Information on my experience and positions, please check my web site: http://home.bendcable.com/schoenborn/