Winterbrook Planning is pleased to share that Deschutes County has approved the land use application for the new Smith Rock Welcome Center, a major milestone for one of Oregon’s most cherished landscapes — recently named#7 best state park in the country. This is the first step to implementing the 2023 Smith Rock State Park Master Plan.

Working with a multidisciplinary team led by Greenworks, Winterbrook prepared a land use framework and application for Phase 1 of the Master Plan, guiding the design team on creative strategies to meet local, state, and federal regulatory requirements. The recently approved plan includes a new Welcome Center, an expanded trail system, new viewpoints, updated parking and utilities, and native plantings. Winterbrook participated in the field siting and review of these facilities, helping to balance access and recreation with environmental stewardship.

With County approval of the Conditional Use Permit, Landscape Management Review, and Site Plan Review, the project moves forward toward construction. The improvements will address long-standing infrastructure challenges identified in the 2023 Master Plan—providing safer access, enhanced wayfinding, and more accessible connections to the park’s renowned trail network and canyon overlooks.

For Winterbrook, the Smith Rock Master Plan represents our firm’s dedication to integrating the natural and built environments. The project demonstrates how thoughtful land use planning can support the preservation of Oregon’s public land while keeping it accessible to the public that utilizes and appreciates it—which includes us!