D-River Wayside Welcome Center Groundbreaking

Explore Lincoln City and the City of Lincoln City announced on April 27 the upcoming development of the Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River Wayside, which will serve as a major enhancement to one of the Oregon Coast’s most visited beach access points. In partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which has leased the D River State Recreation Site to the City, the project will introduce a new Welcome Center along with upgraded public facilities. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 6th, at 1pm at D River Wayside with Oregon State Senator Dick Anderson and Representative David Gomberg, Lincoln City Councilors, in attendance.

"This project represents an exciting and meaningful investment in the future of Lincoln City," said Kim Cooper Findling, Director of Explore Lincoln City. "The D River State Recreation Site is one of our most visited and cherished coastal access points, and this new welcome center will allow us to better serve visitors while celebrating the unique natural beauty and cultural richness of our community. We’re thrilled to bring this vision to life."

The Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River Wayside will not only honor the area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, but will also be accessible, reflecting Lincoln City’s ongoing commitment to making the Oregon Coast more inclusive for all. Managed by Explore Lincoln City, the project is funded through reinvestment of local transient lodging tax, along with a $2.5 million Oregon Lottery grant.

It will serve as a central hub for visitor information, local attractions, and activities, improving experiences and boosting the local economy. The project also includes modern restroom facilities and improved amenities designed to better serve the approximately 1.5 million visitors who access this popular site each year. The overarching goal is to significantly enhance accessibility, infrastructure, and the overall visitor experience while investing in beautification, facilities and economic development that benefit residents and visitors alike

Due to construction at D River State Recreation Site, the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival will be temporarily relocated to Chinook Winds Casino Resort on June 27–28. The new location will provide ample space for kite flying and festival activities while improvements are underway at the D River site.

“We’re proud to partner with Explore Lincoln City to help ensure the Summer Kite Festival continues during construction of their new welcome center,” said Samantha McDonald, General Manager of Chinook Winds Casino Resort. ”Events like this are vital to our community, and we’re committed to supporting opportunities that bring visitors to the coast and boost our local economy”.

During construction, use of the D River Recreation Site area will be limited or periodically closed. Portable restrooms will be available on-site throughout much of the project duration, and a portion of the parking lot will remain open with free parking until reconstruction is required. One beach access point via stairs will remain open as long as possible, while the ADA-accessible ramp will be closed during construction. To support accessibility, Mobi-mats will be placed seasonally at a pedestrian access point south of the property. Site hours will remain 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with no overnight parking permitted.

For more information about Explore Lincoln City, including updates about the Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River Wayside, visit www.explorelincolncity.com. For daily inspiration, follow along at @lincolncityor.

About D River State Recreation Site

Originally purchased in 1969 with Land and Water Conservation funds, D River State Recreation Site is among Oregon’s top five most visited recreation sites, welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors annually. Once home to an aquarium and later to a go-kart track, today it serves as a rest stop, interpretive center, and primary access point along Lincoln City’s seven miles of beachfront. In addition to serving as a scenic wayside, the site offers beach and river access, restrooms, paved parking, and easy access to Highway 101 in the heart of Lincoln City.