06/11/2026
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๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ
A Joint Release from Douglas County Parks, Oregon State Marine Board, and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
The Douglas County Parks Department, in partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) announce upcoming temporary staggered closures of the East and West Boat Docks, Ramps and associated parking areas at Cooper Creek County Park to accommodate a much-anticipated marine infrastructure improvement project. The project includes replacement of both boat docks and parking lot paving designed to improve public access, safety, and recreational boating opportunities.
The East Boat Ramp, Dock and Parking Lot, located on the east end of the reservoir off Cooper Creek Road, will be closed beginning June 17, 2026, for construction activities, including boarding dock replacement, parking lot resurfacing, and related site accessibility improvements. During construction, the East Boat Ramp area will be fully closed to the public, and no vehicle, pedestrian, or boating access will be available. Contractors anticipate completing work and reopening the facility by June 22, 2026; however, construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Throughout this phase of the project, the West Boat Ramp will remain open and available for public boat launching and recreational use.
The West Boat Ramp, Dock and Parking Lot, located off Edgewater Drive adjacent to the front entrance of the park and the dam, will close beginning July 5, 2026, to allow for similar improvements, including Boarding dock replacement, parking lot resurfacing, and related site accessibility improvements. The site will be fully closed to the public during construction, with no vehicle, pedestrian, or boating access available. The Contractor anticipates completing work and reopening the facility on or before September 4, 2026; although weather conditions may affect the project timeline. During this phase, visitors will be directed to use the East Boat Ramp for boating access and recreational activities.
The project will modernize both launch facilities by replacing aging boat docks and upgrading adjacent parking areas. These upgrades are intended to enhance public safety, increase accessibility, and provide an improved recreational experience for boaters and park visitors. Through a request for bids process, Topper Industries I, LLC, was awarded the dock replacement contract, and local contractor JRT Construction, LLC, was awarded the paving contract.
Project funding is being provided through OSMB 2025-2027 Cycle One and Cycle Two Facility Grant award #1743 ($561,736), federal pass thru U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sport Fish Restoration funds via Sub-Award Grant #293-25 from ODFW ($485,209), Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby ($3,500), Sutherlin Rotary Club ($1,000), and $403,150 in matching Douglas County Park revenue funds. The OSMB grant funding program uses revenue generated from motorized boater fees and taxes to support the development and improvement of boating facilities statewide. The ODFW grant is from the Sport Fish Restoration federal program with revenue generated from user excise taxes on fishing gear and boat fuel that is passed through to states to support recreational boating access projects.
Douglas County appreciates the public's patience and cooperation during construction as these important and exciting improvements are completed. Again, at least one ramp/dock will remain open during the construction process. Please use extra caution and follow construction, detour, and warning signs posted at the park. The project is expected to be completed by Labor Day Weekend 2026.
Cooper Creek County Park is located approximately three miles southeast of Sutherlin and provides recreational access to the 166-acre Cooper Creek Reservoir.The Douglas County Parks Department was established in 1949 and was the first County Park system in Oregon. From the Pacific Ocean to the Cascades and throughout the 100 Valleys of the Umpqua, the Park system now encompasses 70 properties, including 23 boat ramps, 11 campgrounds and 42-day use parks. For more information about Douglas County Parks visit https://www.douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.
The OSMB was established in 1959 by the Oregon Legislature in response to the federal Boating Safety Act of 1958. It is Oregonโs recreational boating agency, dedicated to promoting safe, enjoyable, and environmentally responsible boating throughout the state. The agency provides boating education and safety programs, manages boating access and facility grants, registers and titles boats, and works with local governments and partners to improve and maintain public boating facilities. For more information about the OSMB visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/pages/index.aspx.
ODFW is the state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregonโs fish and wildlife resources and the habitats upon which they depend. Guided by its mission to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations, ODFW manages wildlife populations, fisheries, hatcheries, wildlife areas, and public access opportunities across the state. The agency works collaboratively with local communities, landowners, tribes, conservation organizations, and government partners to promote science-based stewardship, habitat restoration, outdoor recreation, and sustainable resource management throughout Oregon. For more information about ODFW visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/ or email Holly Huchko at [email protected].
