Ashland’s Lithia Park 100-year Plan Approved
ASHLAND, Ore. — On Wednesday, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission approved and adopted a comprehensive 100-year master plan for the iconic Lithia Park. The park will receive some long-overdue upgrades, which were delayed by the pandemic.
Ashland Lithia Park 100-year Plan
The adoption of the Lithia Park Master Plan is regarded as a pivotal moment because it reinforces the community’s commitment to preserving Ashlands’ natural treasures for future generations.
The 100-year plan maps out how to preserve Lithia Park for the community while meeting the evolving needs of visitors.
At the meeting on October 9, the Parks & Recreation Commission debated the long-awaited master plan before it was adopted unanimously. The emphasis during discussions was on maintaining the park’s legacy while adapting to modern challenges. The master plan sets a framework to:
- Restore natural ecosystems
- Address invasive species
- Improve water quality to protect biodiversity
Rocky Houston, director of Ashland Parks and Recreation, said the plan is important because it sets a framework for four core zones within the park and lays out plans for how future projects will be treated.
The plan seeks to ensure that Lithia Park remains a valuable resource for the growing community by focusing on environmental health, and improving accessibility and safety. Recreational opportunities serving diverse user needs are also mentioned in the plan.
Lithia Park Plan Adopted Unanimously
The commission seeks to promote cultural heritage and sustainability while ensuring the park adapts to changing conditions, supporting the goal for the park to thrive for generations to come. The master plan was adopted unanimously on Wednesday.
One of the commissioners confirmed that a hundred-year plan is only a short part of achieving the intended goals and expressed hope that there will be many more similar cycles. The commissioner said it was gratifying to pass the 100-year plan.
Houston indicated that Lithia Park is part of the community’s identity and said, “We care for it and we want to preserve it and move that forward.”