Thursday, February 7, 2008

Ashland's Public Spaces


This wrought iron bridge was installed in the park after the big New Years flood of 1997. (Caused by unusually heavy rains throughout December of that year and the collapse of a nearby reservoir.) The masses of water destroyed many of the older 1930 era wooden bridges and flooded businesses adjoining the park. (No loss of life occured luckily.)
The flooding changed much of the park forever, but the newer bridges like this one still lend it an old time feeling.

Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon and some of its surrounding landmarks. The park itself is 93 acres and is situated near the grounds of the three theatres that make up the venues for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The park itself was started in 1892. In 1916, the city commissioned landscape architect John McLaren to make improvements. (McLaren also designed San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.) It's a nice spot for a frisbee toss or a bit of exercise or a stroll. Local high school track teams use the trails for Cross Country Tournaments. It's also a nice place for tree hugging.

7 comments:

  1. Very nice. I might have to take a trip to see for myself

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  2. Let me know when you do--I'll show you the sights.

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  3. I like the bridge lol lovely picture with the trees just beyond.

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  4. The history of colonialism seems to always follow similar patterns. Thats an interesting carving, do you know who made it, or its meaning?

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  5. Thank you, these pictures were interesting, its always nice having a look around some one else's patch.

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  6. It is a nice picture. I have to say I didn't take it, but I think its so provocative of the park I couldn't leave it out.

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  7. It does follow depressingly similar patterns. The artist and its meaning is a good question. I will follow up on that soon.

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