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Chillcat Zones

Pause Your Day

Relax Between Classes

Chillcat Zones (CCZ) at Central Oregon Community College are outdoor spaces designed for students, staff, and community members to unwind and recharge between classes. Nestled throughout our scenic campuses, these zones offer a range of environments-whether you're seeking a quiet corner with mountain views, or a sunny spot to gather with friends; each zone features comfortable seating, easy access and a welcoming atmosphere.

Created and maintained by our Grounds team, these zones are a reflection and commitment to providing an accessible, inclusive and sustainable campus environment. For a guide to all of our Chillcat Zones, please refer to the interactive map below to find your next favorite spot on campus.

Stone statue of a person meditating against a rock

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Picnic table in from of Boyle Education center

  • Boyle Education - Front

    Location:  Between Boyle Education Center and College Way

    It has great afternoon sun and one picnic table. With its aspen gravel base and a mossy rock and stump border, it is nestled among tall Ponderosa Pines.

Picnic table outside the front of Mazama Gym

  • Mazama Front

    Location: In front of Mazama Gym

    Unique area with a combination of smooth, flat seating boulders and a picnic table. Located with excellent access to Mazama gym and Coats Campus Center, there is abundant afternoon shade at this zone. The zone is protected by a nearby hillside which serves as a noise filter to nearby traffic on College Way. Lots of surrounding lush green turf and very cool old stump and branch features. 

     

Picnic table in Cascade Garden

  • Cascades Hall - North

    Location: North of Cascade Hall

    This zone is easily accessible from Cascades Hall and has a mix of sun and shade. It's bordered by a berm filled with trees and wildflowers including: clematis, false yellowhead, flax, foxglove, speedwell, sweet William, and lavender. There are two picnic tables with room to seat up to 8 people. The entire area is surrounded with a deer fence to protect plant species not found anywhere else on campus 

Picnic table outside Health Career Center in a desert landscape

  • Science Center

    Location: To the right of the Science Center

    One of the most attractive pollinator gardens on campus with lavender, Russian thistle, sage and rabbit brush. A picnic table for four is bathed in sunlight from early morning to evening.

Outside area on the Redmond COCC Campus that features bench seating and stone statue

  • Redmond

    Location:  Across from Redmond Building 3 - MATC

    The centerpiece of the Redmond Chillcat Zone is the Daryavesh statue which was donated to the college in 2022. Surrounded by a meandering circular path, a vibrant water feature, two curved wooden benches, and an array of trees and plants, this mystical statue instantly evokes a sense of calm and reminds one of a bucolic Japanese garden. Plants include barberry, rabbitbrush, saltbush, yarrow, Oregon gumweed, common blanket flower, kinnikinick, weeping willows, and junipers.

Picnic Table outside the Veterinary Technician building in Redmond

  • Vet Tech

    Location: Across from the Vet Tech building

    Chillcat Zone - Vet Tech features expansive mountain views to the west and seating for eight. With easy access from the Vet Tech building this zone is popular with students and staff seeking some mid-day sun and a break from classes.

 

Picnic table located behind Boyle Education center

  • Boyle Education - Back

    Location: Behind Boyle Education Center.

    One picnic table with great access from Boyle Education Center as well as parking lot G3. This zone has a mix of sun and shade depending on time of day.

Picnic table with views of the Athletic Field and Coats Campus Center

  • Athletic Field

    Location: Northwest corner of the running track at the Athletic Field.

    Sunny spot for a quiet lunch, and the perfect place to study for that upcoming test. Close to walking trails, Library, the Disc Golf course, and the Athletic Field.

Picnic table in front of COCC Bookstore

  • Newberry Hall

    Location: In front of Newberry Hall/Bookstore

    Conveniently located in front of Newberry Hall/the Bookstore and is midway between Health Careers Center and Cascades Hall. Grab a sandwich at the bookstore followed by a nice lunch at the picnic table. Well-shaded by Ponderosa Pines which are colorfully adorned with flowers in the water-saving Earth Planter hanging baskets. Within view of the Newberry pollinator garden located along College Way. 

Picnic table outside Pence Hall in front of a statue playing an upright bass.

  • Pence Hall

    Location: East of Pence Hall

    The centerpiece of this zone is a beautiful sculpture depicting an upright bass player, sculpted by George W. Lundeen and donated to COCC in 2019 by Tony Oliver. Just across the sidewalk is another art piece, fittingly called "Landscape Elements" by Betty Feves from 1983. This zone is adjacent to the "Quad" which is the crown jewel of the Bend campus grounds.

Picnic table on Madras Campus with views of the cascading landscape

  • Madras

    Location:  Accessible from Madras Campus parking lot 

    Sitting atop a nearby hilltop, this zone boasts full sun that overlooks the entire Madras campus, and provides expansive views of the Cascades to the west. Access is via a flagstone pathway from the main parking lot. 

Picnic Table outside Chandler Lab

  • Chandler

    Location: To the right of Chandler Lab

    Nested amongst the sprawling Ponderosa Pines is Chillcat Zone - Chandler. Enjoy the transitional placement of this zone between the natural aesthetic of the high desert ecosystem and the well manicured lush Chandler lawn. Reflect on a transformational day of Community Education coursework with your classmates in a tranquil revitalizing setting. 

Picnic table outside the Ponderosa Annex

  • Ponderosa Annex

    Location: In front of Ponderosa Annex

    Beautiful spot in the shade of nearby Junipers and Ponderosas. This zone has one picnic table and is surrounded by lush green turf and nearby ornamental grasses. It does get limited sun. 

Picnic table in front of Barber Library

  • Library

    Location: In front of the Library.

    This zone is heavily shaded under towering Ponderosa Pines and surrounded by newly-planted pollinator gardens filled with blooming wildflowers.

Picnic table outside Metolius Hall

  • Metolius Hall

    Location: Between Metolius Hall and the Science Center

    Cool temps, lush green grass surrounds this picnic table by the canopies of Ponderosa Pines and Juniper trees.

Picnic table outside Cascades Hall

  • Cascades Hall - East

    Location: Outside the east entrance to Cascade Hall

    The zone is a simple area surrounded by beautifully landscaped and set against the building. Great sun exposure with little to no shade. 

Picnic table on Prineville Campus

  • Prineville

    Location: Behind Prineville Campus building

    A large stand of healthy weeping willows, lush grass, peace & quiet, and a table umbrella to guard against the hot sun, all make for a chill experience on the Prineville campus. This zone is accessed via the back doors as you go beyond the front lobby. Depending on the time of year, the Willows can provide cool shade for hanging out on the grass lawn. Relax and listen to the willows whisper in the breeze! 

Picnic table behind Mazama Gym

  • Mazama West

    Location: Behind Mazama Gym, right across from the tennis courts

    Need a break from the rigorous tennis match you just played? Or a spot to cool down after your pickup basketball game in Mazama Gym? This zone offers reprieve from a demanding workout with Cascade mountain views and partial shading from mature Ponderosa Pines.