The Orchard District Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization that connects residents, businesses, and local government about land use, transportation, and other community issues. We are recognized by the City of Bend as one of 13 Neighborhood Districts (formerly and commonly referred to as Neighborhood Associations) that are consulted on a variety of decisions.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
The Orchard District Neighborhood Board is a volunteer board that is voted in by the members of the association to represent the neighborhood and manage its finances and activities. Anyone who lives, works, and rents or owns property within the neighborhood boundaries is considered a member. Please sign up for the email list to register your membership. Voting takes place at the annual neighborhood meeting, which is typically held in April or May rotating at various venues throughout the Orchard District (previous locations: Hollinshead Barn, Open Space Studios, Pilot Butte Middle School). The governing document is the by-laws.
Connecting with your Neighborhood District helps you stay informed about what’s happening in your neighborhood
With the City of Bend continuing to grow it’s important to understand how development in the state of Oregon works. Listen to this episode of the City’s podcast Inside Bend to hear the City’s Community Relations Manager Makayla Oliver share information on Land Use education materials and how your Neighborhood District can help get you involved in the planning and development processes.
Board Meetings
Board Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of most months at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. We welcome your participation and feedback! Contact orcharddistrictneighborhood@gmail.com if you’d like to attend so we can provide the agenda and address. Occasionally, the meeting is available on Zoom in response to health or logistical issues.
Board Members
- Current Board Membership
Board Position Name Current Term Chair Brian Durbin Apr. 2024 – Apr. 2026 Vice Chair Vacant Secretary Jessica Fredeen Apr. 2024 – Apr. 2026 Treasurer Ron Paradis Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2027 Land Use Danielle Powell Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2027 At Large Andrew Gorman Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2027 At Large Robin Lewis Apr. 2024 – Apr. 2026 At Large Tawny Howlett Apr. 2024 – Apr. 2026 At Large Ken Bontje Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2027 At Large Ryan Gage Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2027 Updated as of April 2025
COMMUNITY
Mission
To act as a central resource for the Orchard District Neighborhood, connecting residents and members together, and representing their interests.
Vision
The Orchard District Neighborhood Association seeks to ensure all of our neighbors feel welcomed and represented within the neighborhood and throughout Bend.
Values
The ODNA adheres to the following values:
- Integrity: we act in a fair and impartial manner when representing the neighborhood
- Inclusive: all are welcome
- Environmental Stewardship: we encourage development, transportation, and actions that preserve nature and reduce environmental impact
- Respect: we treat all neighbors will respect and ask our neighbors to do the same for each other
Neighborhood Survey
The Orchard District Neighborhood Association does an annual survey of its members and sets goals based on their input.
PRIORITIES
We believe the biggest problems impacting the livability of Bend are:
• Lack of affordable housing, including services for our unsheltered neighbors
• Unsafe, inconvenient, disconnected transportation: no sidewalks or crosswalks on most of NE 8th street, no crosswalk on Greenwood & NE 6th St., poor crumbling/sidewalks on Third Street, dangerous crossings of Third Street and US 97/Railroad to get between our neighborhood and downtown on Greenwood and Franklin, unsafe roads in neighborhoods (9th/10th/12th off of Greenwood, Seward, Shepard, Daggett, NE Lafayette & 8th, NE Quimby & 8th), lack of usable transit options, unsafe biking conditions.
• Equity: inequitable treatment and outcomes for BIPOC, low-income, and disabled residents.
• Environment: loss of big trees, pollution, climate impacts
Board Goals & Work Plan
- Board Goals & Work Plan 2021-23
Based on survey input, data, discussion, and shared values, the board developed the following goals:
Goal 1: CAPACITY
Build sustainable capacity to achieve goals with efficiencies, systems, resources, and use of volunteers
Goal 2: REPRESENTATION
Improve how we listen to and represent the neighborhood, especially our BIPOC, Latinx, low-income, and disabled neighbors
Goal 3: COMMUNICATION
Improve communication tools so residents and businesses can get the information they are seeking and the Orchard District can engage our constituents to work toward vision
Goal 4: BUILD COMMUNITY
Build an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone in the Orchard District feels safe, connected, and supported.
Goal 5: ISSUE ADVOCACY
Effectively educate & advocate on land use (a place to call home for everyone, vibrant mixed-use, nature in city, community gathering spaces) & transportation (safe and convenient bike/ped/transit options, quieter streets within core of neighborhood) issues