Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Cottonwood Canyon is a vast former cattle ranch transformed into Central Oregon’s newest State park. This master plan and design project balances multiple priorities, restoring the rugged canyon landscape while repurposing the ranch’s historic elements into public park amenities that include camping, trails, and an Experience Center. The immersive experiences of this dramatic place include indigenous history, the history of ranching, and dramatic restoration of wild steelhead habitat. The park provides sensitive recreational opportunities that draw people into a greater connection with the John Day River landscape.

Location
Sherman/Gilliam Counties, OR
Completed
2018 (Experience Center); 2013 (Phase 1); 2011 (Master Plan)
Collaborators
Signal Architecture + Research
Awards
2014 Oregon ASLA, General Design Merit Award
2011 Oregon ASLA, Analysis and Planning Merit Award