Parks for Kids

Lithia Park
Lithia Park is located off the Plaza in downtown Ashland and consists of 93 acres upon which there a formal rose gardens, a Japanese garden, playgrounds, walking and hiking trails, tennis courts, a sand-pit volley ball court, picnic areas, a sculptured Italian water fountain, duck ponds, an outdoor amphitheatre, public gathering places, and toilet facilities. The children’s playground has a ground cover of soft sand and has swings, slides, a wooden jungle gym and a large, wooden human hamster wheel. There is safe access to Ashland Creek at a specially designed wading area next to the playground so that everyone can experience the pleasure of feeling the cool, crisp, clean flow of water as it flows down from the mountains through the natural woodlands that surround the park. There are marked paths with numbered spots that identify the many different trees that create the verdant paradise that is lower Lithia Park and trail guides books are available with information about the deeper wooded sections and trails of upper Lithia Park and many other trails in Ashland. Guidebooks are available at the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department offices located at: 340 South Pioneer Street and the phone number is 541-488-5340.

Hunter Park
Approximately 10 acres, Hunter Park is located on Holmes Avenue between Walker and Normal Streets in Ashland. The park has eight tennis courts, ball-fields, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms and the Daniel Meyer Swimming Pool. The Daniel Meyer Swimming Pool is outdoors and is only open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The phone number for pool information is 541-488-0313. The Senior Center is also located in Hunter Park and is available to rent for one-time events. The information telephone number for the Senior Center is 541-488-5342.

Garfield Park
Approximately 3 acres, Garfield Park is located on the corner of East Main and Garfield Streets. The park offers a large playground, basketball court, restrooms, sandpit volleyball courts, lots of open grassy areas and the city’s only “Zero-Depth” Water-play Facility. The park is open year-round, however, the water-play area is only open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Organized summer activities such as crafts and games are offered during that time also.

YMCA City Park
Approximately 8 acres. Located on Tolman Creek Road behind the Ashland YMCA, the park has two soccer fields, a picnic shelter, playground, restrooms and a concession stand open during games. The YMCA is located at 540 YMCA Way on the south side of town behind McDonalds and the Apple Cellar Bakery and Restaurant. For information about the park and its activities, call the YMCA at 541-482-9622.

Siskiyou Mountain Park
This extensive natural area encompasses 270 acres that are located above the city on the west side, with access off Park Street. There are single-track trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (which is not recommended). No amenities. No facilities. Not for young children unless attended by parent. Foreknowledge of the area is recommended. Access to the White Rabbit Trail and the Oredson-Todd Woods Trail are located here as well as connections to the Pacific Crest Trail. For information contact the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department at 541-488-5340.

North Mountain Park and North Mountain Park Nature Center
This Park is located on N. Mountain Avenue, northeast of Nevada Street. This new park has three soccer fields, two softball fields, two baseball fields, and a covered picnic area. Also located here is the North Mountain Park Nature Center, which offers special classes and lectures for adults and children about the flora, fauna and ecology of the area. Special talks about gardening are scheduled as well as adult and children’s craft classes that use materials from nature. The park is home to a number of themed demonstration gardens and there is a children’s sand-play area that has been decorated with beautiful tiles made by area children. There are trails that pass through different areas of the park that allow for the viewing of birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats as well as access to Bear Creek where you can sit on a bench and watch and listen to the water and catch glimpses of the animal life that thrive in this riparian area. For information, call: 541-488-6606.

Ashland Community Skateboard Park
Skaters and Cyclists spin their wheels and make tracks on down to the awesome new professionally designed skate park on the corner of Water and Hersey Streets, next to the recycling center. The park offers 3 bowls of varying depths and stunt blocks with pyramids in between. The new facility allows skaters to perform longer, higher & faster stunts. Helmets are required. Skate monitors are on duty during the summer months. Photos of the park and more information are available at the website: www.AshlandSkate.com

Darex Family Ice Rink
The Darex Family Rink is an outdoor ice-skating rink in Lithia Park (at the corner of Nutley and Winburn Way). It has a bubble top awning over it to protect skaters from rain and snow and it is well lit during the evening hours. Open from November through March, it offers daily hours set aside for public skating in addition to scheduled ice times for figure skating lessons, ice hockey lessons and ice hockey games. Skate rental is available for $3.50 and $4.50 per session. The rink is usually open daily from 9am to 9pm , but call to find out the scheduled times for specific type skating sessions. The telephone number is 541-488-9189.