What is Sunriver?
Sunriver is a planned private residential and resort community 15 miles south of Bend in Deschutes County. Located at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Sunriver's 3,300 acres wind along the eastern side of the Deschutes River. The area was the site of Camp Abbot, a World War II training facility, and was later named by developers John Gray and Donald McCallum. The first condominiums were built in 1968 in conjunction with the completion of Sunriver Lodge and a year later the master plan was completed and developers began selling lots.
Sunriver is self-governed with its own homeowners association, public works department and budget. Its paved roads and 35 miles of pathways for pedestrians and bicycle riders, two swimming pools, 26 tennis courts, two parks and other common areas are private. A tax-based special service district within Deschutes County government provides fully-staffed police, fire and emergency medical services.
The community is home to more than 4,000 privately-owned residences and has a permanent population of approximately 1,700, though during peak vacation season it may swell to upwards of 20,000. Sunriver consists of residential areas, recreational facilities, a commercial development known as Sunriver Village Mall, and Sunriver Resort. The mall offers a variety of business and services, including restaurants, retail shops, and vacation rental and property management companies.
The Sunriver Owners Association outlines four types of developments in Sunriver:
1) Residential areas: There are 4,206 homesites (94% buildout) consisting of privately-owned, single family homes and condominium units.
(2) Recreational facilities: Located on common areas and owned/administered by the Sunriver Owners Association, they include the North and South swimming pools, 26 tennis courts, sledding hill/ amphitheater area, Fort Rock Park, Mary McCallum Park and 35 miles of pathways for pedestrians and bicycle riders.
(3) Sunriver Resort: Owned and operated by Sunriver Limited Properties and Destination Hotels & Resorts, resort properties include the lodge complex, four golf courses, airport, marina, stables and other resort affiliated facilities. Sunriver Environmental LLC is owned by the Resort and is responsible for water and sewer services in Sunriver.
(4) Commercial development: In addition to Sunriver's commercial core, including the Village at Sunriver, there is a north grocery store/gas station on Cottonwood Road. The Sunriver Business Park is outside Sunriver a short distance west of Sunriver's main entrance on South Century Drive.
