Take a Hike
The Rogue Valley's Hike of the Week
Lithia Park
How to get there:
The entrance to the park is just below the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, near the plaza. There is parking all along the park, from downtown Ashland on Winburn Way to the upper reservoir on Granite Street. The park is surrounded by Winburn Way, Granite Street, Glenview Drive, Ashland Loop Road, Fork Street and Pioneer Street.
Description:
Lithia Park is an amazingly beautiful park to spend a day strolling through its 93 acres. The park has two duck ponds, full of ducks, geese, fish and turtles. It also has tennis courts, a sand pit volleyball court, Japanese gardens, rose gardens and groves of sycamore trees. There is also a playground, with a jungle gym, climbing structures, merry-go-round and swings for the young ones, and those young of heart.
As you walk deeper into the park there are trails leading up above the park, looking over Ashland Creek and the rest of the beautiful Ashland hills. There are fairy ponds, picnic areas, gazebos, and a band shell that hosts summer music. There are plenty of locations where one can have a leisurely, quiet day within the picturesque scenery.
Hikes through the trails can last anywhere from a few minutes to an entire day.
History:
As Ashland began to develop in the early 1900s, the lithium-rich water became known as Lithia Water. And as more and more people came to town, more parks began to spring up with the aid of the Women's Civic Improvement Club.
In 1892, Lithia Park started at eight acres, built by the Chautauqua Association, to keep up entertainment and culture in Ashland. Over time, the popularity of the park grew and people began to regularly come to camp and visit.
Due to the professional landscaping design and maintenance of Lithia Park, it is included in the National Register of Historical Places.
Trails:
Lithia Park Loop
Upper Duck Pond Loop
Granite Street Trail Loop
Watershed Loop
Briscoe School Loop
Glendower Loops
