Old Camp Historic Park Concept Plan
The National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) works with communities across the country to transform spaces into places of learning, celebration, and community. The development of the Old Camp Historic Park near Burns, Oregon exemplifies this work, merging the Burns Paiute Tribe's rich history with living cultural education opportunities and outdoor recreation.The Burns Paiute Tribe reached out to NPS-RTCA to help manage and coordinate the project, ensuring that every phase resonated with the community's needs and the site's historical significance. To help bring their vision to life, NPS-RTCA invited the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), who reached out to the University of Oregon’s (UO) Landscape Architect Program. A faculty member organized and recruited a small two-quarter class where students had the opportunity to collaborate on this project. The ASLA Oregon Chapter provided funds that allowed the students to travel to Burns and work directly with NPS-RTCA, the Planning Committee, the Tribal community, and Tribal Council. The conceptual site design was prepared by the UO students using the research and guidance from the Burns Paiute Tribe and NPS-RTCA. The innovative design respected the natural and cultural integrity of the area and enhanced its accessibility, educational, and recreational potential.
Based on resources shared by the Tribe, along with independent research by the UO students, a research report was drafted, and a community engagement workshop was held in April 2023. A few months later, the students traveled to Burns with NPS-RTCA to co-present the final draft conceptual plan of the Old Camp Historic Park to the Burns Paiute Tribal Council. The plan outlines the vision for Old Camp Historic Park, including plans to enhance the RV Park and introduce new amenities aimed at preserving the Tribe’s history and fostering economic self-sufficiency. Soon, Old Camp Historic Park will be a space where Powwows, Tribal artisan fairs, and farmers markets bring together people from all walks of life. Where every corner tells a story of the past and paves the way for a sustainable future. Old Camp Historic Park will provide a place where the Burns Paiute Tribe can share a deep part of their identity and life to educate their youth and visitors.
Discover the vision, the journey, and the impact of this remarkable initiative: Old Camp Historic Park Concept Plan
Last updated: June 26, 2024