09-03-26 Cooper Creek County Park Boat Dock Improvements Completed; Facilities Reopen Friday (Photo) - 09/03/26
A Joint Release from Douglas County Parks, Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
Cooper Creek County Park Boat Dock Improvements Completed; Facilities Reopen Friday
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Parks, in partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), are pleased to announce the completion of the Cooper Creek County Park Boat Dock Replacement Project. The west boat ramp, dock and parking lot will reopen to the public on Friday, September 4, 2026, just in time for the Labor Day weekend.
The project included the replacement of the park’s aging East and West boat docks, parking lot paving and related accessibility improvements. The upgrades were designed to improve public safety, accessibility and the overall recreational experience for boaters and visitors to Cooper Creek County Park. Construction began in June with improvements to the East Boat Ramp and continued in July with the closure of the West Boat Ramp to accommodate construction activities. During the project, Douglas County Parks worked closely with its project partners and contractors to maintain public boating access by keeping at least one launch facility available throughout the construction process. With the reopening of the West Boat Ramp, both the East and West boat ramps and docks will once again be open and available for public use.
“We are excited to have this important project completed and to welcome the public back to the West Boat Ramp in time for Labor Day weekend,” said Douglas County Parks Director, Mark Wall. “These improvements will provide safer, more accessible and better-quality facilities for our community and visitors who enjoy Cooper Creek Reservoir. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while this work was underway.”
Douglas County extends its appreciation to Topper Industries I, LLC, which completed the dock replacement work, and JRT Construction, LLC, which completed the paving improvements. The project was completed on time and under budget. The County also thanks the Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the numerous funding partners who helped make these improvements possible. Project funding was provided through OSMB Boating Facility Grant using funds paid by motorized boaters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sport Fish Restoration funds administered through ODFW, the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby, the Sutherlin Rotary Club and matching Douglas County Parks revenue funds.
The reopening comes just in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend, providing visitors with full access to the improved boating facilities at the 166-acre Cooper Creek Reservoir. Douglas County Parks reminds visitors to use caution as they return to the newly improved facilities and to follow all posted signs and park rules.
Cooper Creek County Park is located approximately three miles southeast of Sutherlin and provides recreational access to Cooper Creek Reservoir. Douglas County operates and maintains the facilities at Cooper Creek Reservoir through a long-standing inter-governmental agreement with the Sutherlin Water Control District. The Douglas County Parks Department was established in 1949 and was the first County Park system in Oregon. Today, the Park system encompasses 70 properties, including 23 boat ramps, 11 campgrounds and 42 day-use parks.
For more information about Douglas County Parks, visit Douglas County Parks.
For more information about the OSMB visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/pages/index.aspx.
For more information about ODFW visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/
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Media Contacts:
Tamara Howell | Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Ashley Massey | Public Information Officer | Business Services Section | Oregon State Marine Board | Office: (503) 378-8587 | Email: ashley.massey@boat.oregon.gov
Meghan Dugan | Public Information Officer | Marine Program & West Region | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife | Office: (541) 464-2179 | Email: Meghan.C.DUGAN@odfw.oregon.gov.
Attached Photos: K. Rodriguez/Douglas County.
