HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-14 Lithia Park RestorationRESOLUTION NO. 97-14
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE
PATRONS OF LITHIA PARK AND THE ASHLAND PARKS
FOUNDATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES FOR
THE RESTORATION OF LITHIA PARK
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Lithia Park was established by a five to one vote of the citizens of
Ashland in 1908 and follows Ashland Creek from the Ashland Plaza area for more than
100 acres.
SECTION 2. Lithia Park was designed by noted landscape architect John McClaren in
1916 and has been enhanced and maintained by the Ashland Parks and Recreation
Department for the past eighty-one years.
SECTION 3. Lithia Park forms a scenic and much enjoyed part of Ashland's
downtown, drawing area residents and visitors from all over the nation who support
our city's economy.
SECTION 4. Lithia Park has been the site of thousands of civic and private parties,
reunions, festivals, and fairs including the annual Feast of the Tribe of Will, the 4th of
July celebration, summer band concerts, and the graduation ceremonies of both
Ashland High School and Southern Oregon State College.
SECTION 5. In 1982 Lithia Park was included on the National Register of Historic
Places as an outstanding example of distinctive American landscape architecture.
SECTION 6. Lithia Park in 1996 was selected as one of sixty unique settings out of
225 locations to appear in the nationally published Guide to Great American Pubfic
Places.
SECTION 7. The flood of Ashland Creek in January 1997 wreaked havoc to the
landscapes, pathways, playground, and other areas of Lithia Park, causing damage
estimated at $1,200,000.
SECTION 8. Even those areas of Lithia Park outside the flow of flood waters were
harvested for dirt and fill as a way to re-direct water from further damaging the
buildings of the Ashland Plaza.
SECTION 9. More than 54 percent of the votes cast in early March supported passage
of Ashland's bond request for the repair of flood damage but due to the requirements
of Ballot Measure 47 that majority was insufficient to provide funds to continue the
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restoration work.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ashland City Council supports the
Patrons of Lithia Park and the Ashland Parks Foundation in their efforts to identify
other sources of funding for the restoration of Lithia Park. We encourage any and all
agencies and foundations to aide these groups so that Lithia Park may once again
resume its role as the focal point of our beautiful downtown.
This resolution was read by title only in accordance with Ashland Municipal Code
§2.04.090 duly PASSED and ADOPTED this ~' day of ,1997.
BarBara Chdstensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this ~-~ day of
1997.
Catherine M. Golden, Mayor
Reviewed as to form:
Paul Nolte, City Attorney
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