Boat Dock Replacement Project Begins at Cooper Creek County Park

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A boat dock replacement and parking improvement project is getting underway at Cooper Creek County Park, bringing temporary staggered closures to both boat launch areas at the reservoir.

The Douglas County Parks Department, in partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, announced that the project will replace the East and West boat docks and include parking lot paving and accessibility-related site improvements.

Officials said the work is intended to improve public access, safety and recreational boating opportunities at the park.

East Boat Ramp Closure

The first phase of work will begin at the East Boat Ramp area, located on the east end of Cooper Creek Reservoir off Cooper Creek Road.

The East Boat Ramp, dock and parking lot will close beginning Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

During the closure:

• The East Boat Ramp area will be fully closed to the public.
• No vehicle access will be allowed.
• No pedestrian access will be allowed.
• No boating access will be available from that site.
• Work will include dock replacement, parking lot resurfacing and accessibility-related improvements.

Contractors anticipate reopening the East Boat Ramp area by June 22, 2026, though the schedule may change depending on weather and construction conditions.

During this phase, the West Boat Ramp will remain open for public boat launching and recreational use.

West Boat Ramp Closure

The second phase of the project will move to the West Boat Ramp, dock and parking lot, located off Edgewater Drive near the park entrance and dam.

The West Boat Ramp area is scheduled to close beginning Sunday, July 5, 2026.

During that closure:

• The West Boat Ramp area will be fully closed to the public.
• No vehicle access will be available.
• No pedestrian access will be available.
• No boating access will be available from that site.
• Work will include dock replacement, parking lot resurfacing and related accessibility improvements.

Contractors anticipate completing work and reopening the West Boat Ramp area on or before September 4, 2026, though the timeline could be affected by weather.

During the West Boat Ramp closure, visitors will be directed to use the East Boat Ramp for boating access and recreational activities.

One Ramp Expected to Remain Open

County officials said the closures are being staggered so that at least one ramp and dock will remain open during the construction process.

Visitors are asked to use caution around the park, follow posted construction, detour and warning signs, and avoid closed areas while work is underway.

The overall project is expected to be completed by Labor Day weekend 2026.

Contractors and Project Work

The project will modernize both launch facilities by replacing aging boat docks and improving nearby parking areas.

Through a request-for-bids process:

• Topper Industries I, LLC was awarded the dock replacement contract.
• JRT Construction, LLC, a local contractor, was awarded the paving contract.

Project Funding

Funding for the project comes from a combination of state, federal, local and community sources.

The project includes:

• $561,736 from Oregon State Marine Board 2025-2027 Cycle One and Cycle Two Facility Grant award No. 1743.
• $485,209 in federal pass-through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sport Fish Restoration funds through Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Sub-Award Grant No. 293-25.
• $3,500 from the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby.
• $1,000 from the Sutherlin Rotary Club.
• $403,150 in matching Douglas County Park revenue funds.

The Oregon State Marine Board grant program uses revenue from motorized boater fees and taxes to support boating facility improvements across the state.

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife funding comes through the federal Sport Fish Restoration program, which is supported by excise taxes on fishing gear and boat fuel and passed through to states for recreational boating access projects.

About Cooper Creek County Park

Cooper Creek County Park is located about three miles southeast of Sutherlin and provides access to the 166-acre Cooper Creek Reservoir.

The park is part of the Douglas County Parks system, which was established in 1949 and was the first county park system in Oregon. The system now includes 70 properties across the county, including 23 boat ramps, 11 campgrounds and 42 day-use parks.

Project Timeline

• June 17, 2026: East Boat Ramp, dock and parking lot closure begins.
• June 22, 2026: East Boat Ramp area expected to reopen, weather permitting.
• July 5, 2026: West Boat Ramp, dock and parking lot closure begins.
• On or before September 4, 2026: West Boat Ramp area expected to reopen, weather permitting.
• Labor Day weekend 2026: Overall project expected to be complete.

County officials said they appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation while the improvements are completed.