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Mission

The mission of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is to provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.

Vision

To take the long view to protect Oregon’s special places and provide the greatest experience while creating stable future funding.

Strategic Focus

Priorities

  • Welcoming. Building on the work of the Inclusion committee, we will strive toward parks that are ready to welcome all visitors and that staff and visitors feel safe and respected.
  • Service Delivery. As we move toward our centennial, OPRD must evaluate how and what facilities and services we manage, maintain and deliver while exploring partnerships to develop new opportunities.
  • Succession Planning. With the knowledge that 36% of our staff are eligible to retire, it is critical OPRD plan for change and develop leaders within our agency to be ready for the next hundred years
  • Celebrating Heritage. OPRD has a unique role in helping to develop and share the stories of Oregon’s past, including those lesser known stories that may give a more full picture of a place or time.

Outcomes

  • All visitors are welcome.
  • Services enhance visitors’ experiences.
  • Well-trained, dedicated employees are prepared to serve visitors.
  • Visitors learn about and celebrate our past.

Organization

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department includes:
  • Oregon State Parks and planning, natural resources, engineering, and volunteering functions that support park development and management.
  • Oregon Heritage that operates cultural and historic preservation programs.
  • Recreation grant programs that support recreation facilities on public land across the state.
  • All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) programs, which include ATV permits administration and operator safety training.
  • Scenic Waterway and Scenic Bikeway administration.
  • Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation responsible for connecting the personal, community and economic benefits of outdoor recreation.
OPRD is also responsible for Oregon’s Recreation Trails, the Ocean Shores Recreation Area, and the Willamette River Greenway.
State park user fees, Oregon Lottery dollars, and recreation vehicle license fees are the main fund sources for department activities.

Facts:

  • The department was created as a branch of the Highway Department in 1921.
  • The 1989 Legislature created a separate Parks and Recreation Department, effective in 1990.
  • Visitors to Oregon state parks in 2016 contributed $1.1 billion to the state’s economy and supported 16,000 full- and part-time jobs.
  • Oregon’s state parks are among the most popular In the United States: their combine day-use and camping attendance of 54,421,472 visitors (2017-2018) consistently ranks the system among the 10 most visited in the nation.