Welcome to Redmond, by Alan Heustis

Strategically located almost smack dab in the middle of Oregon, Redmond is bounded on the west by the majestic snow-capped Cascades and on the east by the vast expanse of High Desert country. It’s a town undergoing a renaissance that includes a redesign of the downtown core to make it more pedestrian friendly and enlivened with a nucleus of galleries, shops and restaurants to enjoy.

Not far from the reinvigorated downtown area, Redmond’s Roberts Field is Central Oregon’s air hub served by Horizon Airlines, United Express, Delta Airlines and Allegiant Air. A short distance away from the airport, the Deschutes County Fairgrounds is home to the annual mid-summer Deschutes County Fair. It’s a fair that harkens back to pioneer days in feel and displays. Even when the Fair is over the Fairgrounds remain active as the site for numerous concerts and sporting events throughout the calendar year.

Heading outdoors for entertainment, Redmond is recognized throughout Oregon as a jumping off place for all sorts of recreational sports activities. There’s fishing in the Deschutes and Crooked rivers, boating, waterskiing and fishing on several reservoirs, hiking in both river canyons, road bike riding on mellow backcountry roads, mountain biking on spectacular singletrack trails, and rock climbing at nearby Smith Rock State Park.  Famous for its high quality technical climbing routes, Smith Rock State Park draws climbers from around the world and offers non-climbers exceptional hiking and mountain biking opportunities.

Less strenuous but equally challenging are Redmond’s golf courses.  The local golf scene starts at the Greens at Redmond, an eighteen hole executive course just south of town. Near Roberts Field and the Fairgrounds, the Juniper Golf Course has been called, “arguably one of the most challenging municipal courses in the Pacific Northwest.”

A short drive west of town is the site of the sister Eagle Crest and Eagle Ridge courses. Both are noted for their intriguing layouts and breathtaking views. Apart from the eighteen holes of play at both courses, Eagle Crest offers the testy but fun Mid Irons course that will have you playing every club in your bag. The also a full-scale putting course that is fun to play with the entire family.

For its sake, Eagle Crest has, apart from golf, developed into one of Central Oregon’s premier year-round resorts. Located on a swath of land above the Deschutes River, the resort offers on-property hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and tennis in the summer and sleigh rides, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter season.

Yellow Hooded Blackbird at Fireman's Pond, by Richard Morton

To the east of Redmond, Brasada Ranch has become

one of the most talked about  new residential golf and recreation communities and resorts in the west. It’s a place where individuals and families can fin

d all their needs taken care of right on the property.

Heading back into downtown, Redmond’s Cascade Lake Brewing Company has played an important role in Oregon’s now famous micro brew

ing revolution. The Brewery began making craft beers and ales in the late 1990s and today continues to dispense them, along with great food, at the Brewery’s  7^th Street Brew House.

On a warm late spring evening after dinner and a craft brew, there are concerts in the park to enjoy. The Music on The Green series features everything from folk to bluegrass, pop and jazz every other Wednesday evening beginning the last week of June through September in Sam Johnson Park.

Taking place on the alternate Wednesdays from the Music on The Green series, The Music in the Canyon series runs from late May through September in

Smith Rock State Park, by Mike Houska

Redmond’s American Legion Park. The series also features a wide variety of musical offerings.

Music to recreation to dining and shopping, Redmond is a town that’s come alive in recent years and is living up to its name as the “hub” of activity in Central Oregon.