Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Lincoln City, and Explore Lincoln City today announced the transition of oversight of the D River State Recreation Site from OPRD to the City of Lincoln City. The lease from OPRD takes effect on April 27 and is provided at no cost to the City to support the common goal of vastly improving facilities and access at one of the most popular visitor destinations on the Oregon Coast.
“We’re grateful to Oregon State Parks for their longstanding stewardship of the D River State Recreation Site over the past 60-plus years, and we look forward to ushering in a new era of facilities and experiences for visitors old and new,” said Lincoln City City Manager Daniel Hunter. “Through inclusivity, stewardship, education, and public access, we intend to uphold the legacy that has been established for one of the most visible and highly used recreation sites along the Oregon Coast.”
Improvements, including the new $6.7 million Lincoln City Welcome Center, upgraded parking and beach access, and increased accessibility amenities, are scheduled to be completed by the City of Lincoln City in early 2027. The recreation site draws 1.5 million visitors each year.
“D River State Recreation Site is one of the coast’s most loved parks,” said Preson Phillips, Central Coast District Manager. “This is a unique opportunity for local-state collaboration, and we are excited to see this vision come to life.”
Planning and design are well underway and construction is scheduled to start later this month. During construction, the restrooms and much of the site will be closed, though Lincoln City plans to make beach access, parking and temporary restrooms available as much as possible. This project will be funded through a State of Oregon Lottery Revenue Bond Grant as a result of advocacy from local legislators, as well as the reinvestment of Lincoln City transient lodging tax revenue earmarked for tourism promotion and facilities.
“Not only is D River State Recreation Site one of the most beloved and visited attractions in Oregon, but it’s also a community gathering place that has hosted marquis events, including the Kite Festival, for many years,” said Kim Cooper Findling, Director of Explore Lincoln City. “Our partners at OPRD have generously given Lincoln City the opportunity to tell our story in our own words, and to do so in a way that educates, informs, and reinforces the importance of responsible, stewardship-based visitation.”
For more information about Explore Lincoln City, including updates about the Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River State Recreation Site, visit www.explorelincolncity.com. For daily inspiration, follow along at @lincolncityor.
