Ashland OR Parks

An excellent option to enjoy the wonderful weather and natural beauty of Ashland is to spend time outdoors in one of its many and diverse parks. From the tranquil walking trails in Lithia Park to the thrilling Skate Park on Water Street, Ashland OR parks offer something for everyone. Below you’ll find a lowdown of our great park system and what you can expect to find in each.

Ashland Dog Park is exactly what you’d anticipate – a great place to let your dog mingle with its own kind and to run freely off leash.  The park has one large fenced in space, and a smaller fenced in space directly next to it.  It is open from dawn to dusk everyday of the year.

Park features: 2 acres, mountain views, dog friendly (obviously!), parking

Ashland Ponds offers birds a sanctuary and people and dogs a peaceful spot for a walk.  The trail itself only takes roughly 20-30 minutes round trip, but one should expect to encounter various bird species, as well as a mid-sized pond with copious amounts of brush surrounding it, the neighboring mountains in view and Bear Creek.  An excellent park choice for a leisurely stroll to the sounds of birds chirping and a rolling river.

Park features: Walking trails; mountain, pond, creek views; birding; dog friendly, street parking

*Ashland Community Skate Park is a place to let your wild side express itself!  This park is frequented by skateboarders, bikers and scooters alike.  This fun park is made up of 3 bowls, a stunt block and pyramids.  In the summer there are skate monitors on duty.

Park features: Mountain, creek views; restrooms; street parking

*Clay Street Park, with a small creek running along is eastern side, has a spacious, open lawn that provides a wonderful space to play frisbee, kick around the soccer ball, or enjoy your favorite game or sport.

Park features: 4 acres; playground; mountain views; community garden; benches and picnic tables; dog friendly; parking

*Garden Way Park is located on the South end of Ashland and, while not the biggest park in town, still offers all the essentials of a great neighborhood park ~ a playground, covered picnic tables, an open lawn space, benches, restrooms and a community garden.

Park features: Playground; benches and picnic tables; open lawn space; community garden; dog friendly; restrooms; street parking

*Garfield Park is a large, open park that offers a plethora of park activities, and is particularly popular in the summer due to its “Zero-Depth Waterplay Facility”.

Park features: 3 acres; basketball courts; volleyball courts; playground; ”Zero Depth Waterplay Facility”; mountain views; open lawn space; benches & picnic tables; dog friendly; street parking

*Glenwood Park is one of the more simple parks in Ashland in that it boasts lawn space, trees, a peaceful setting, and not much in the way of frills.

Park features: 1 acre; open lawn space; benches and picnic table; no animals allowed; street parking

*Hald/Strawberry Park is perfect option for those looking for a park near to town that offers either a flat walking surface and/or those looking for a bit more of a challenge ~ and either way, you are sure to be rewarded with some enjoyable views!  For the former option, just head down the road-width path from the parking lot off Grandview Dr.  This path leads roughly a half mile to Strawberry Lane and through intermittent openings in the trees has some nice views of town and the Cascade mountains.  For virtually 360 degree views, head up one of the trail heads to the right, which all lead to the scenic point at the top of the hill, replete with benches for peace and relaxation.

Park features: Walking trails and hiking trails; mountain and Ashland views; scenic lookout with benches; dog friendly; parking

*Hunter Park is a dream park for those who enjoy diverse activities as it contains an outdoor swimming pool, baseball fields, playgrounds, and tennis courts.

Park features: 10 acres; tennis courts with lights; baseball fields; swimming pool; playground; lawn space; Senior Center; parking; restrooms; dog friendly

*Lithia Park is one of the can’t-miss-spots in Ashland.  Located in the heart of Ashland and designed by the same landscape architect that created San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, you’ll find 93 acres of tranquility and natural beauty.  The park is largely covered in forest and is dissected by Ashland Creek.  Some highlights of Lithia Park include miles of hiking and walking trails, a bandshell, a Japanese Garden, duck ponds, two open lawn spaces and an ice skating rink in the winter.

Park features: Hiking trails and walking trails; playground; tennis courts; two duck ponds; Japanese garden; rose garden; sycamore tree grove; picnic tables and benches; open lawn spaces; volleyball court; bandshell; mountain and creek views; no dogs allowed; parking

*North Mountain Park is one of Ashland’s premier parks as it has so much to offer: baseball and soccer fields, a bike path, ponds, a pavilion and amphitheater, gardens, walking trails, a Native American Display, Bear Creek, a barn, restricted wildlife areas and a Nature Center.  The park offers didactic learning experiences for both children and adults and a Nature Center which is a fun spot for children to visit.  While visiting North Mountain Park, if you have the time and inclination, please be sure to cross the street for a pleasant walk along Bear Creek at the Riverwalk Park (see below).

Park features: Baseball fields; soccer field; bike path; ethnobotanical trail; Native American display; amphitheater; pavilion; barn; mountain, pond, and river views; nature center; birding; community programs; demonstration gardens; restrooms; parking

*Railroad Park is appropriately located in Ashland’s famous Railroad District and is also located near the spot where, on December 17th, 1887, Ashland’s Golden Spike was nailed into the neighboring rail yard that connected the railway from the north to the railway from the south.  This moment connected the Pacific Northwest to California and the Southwest via the railway and completed a circle of railways around the US.  The park is also situated next to a bike path.

Park features: Nearly 2 acres; basketball court; mountain views; playground; benches and picnic tables, open lawn space; dog friendly; restrooms; street parking

*Riverwalk Park is essentially an extension of North Mountain Park and offers an opportunity to enjoy Bear Creek.  Walk toward the creek on Mountain Ave. from the Nature Center and cross the street as you get to the creek where you will enter the park.  There you will enjoy a short but beautiful walk along the Creek.  Be sure to visit the small pond within the park as well were water fowl can sometimes be viewed

Park features: River, pond and mountain views; walking trail; parking at North Mountain Park

*Scenic Park is a neighborhood park on the north side of town set on the side of a hill.

Park features: 1.5 acres; 2 playgrounds; community garden; open lawn space (on a hill); mountain views; picnic tables; dog friendly; street parking

*Sherwood Park is a small park that is behind the Ashland Fire Department building on Ashland St. and is nicely situated across the street from the trees and open space of the Mount View Cemetery.

Park features: 1/4 acre; playground; 2 bocce ball courts; dog friendly; street parking

*Triangle Park is a cute park in central Ashland with a quaint gazebo and some metal posts to bring your slack-line and work on your strength and balance!

Park features: 1/2 acre; gazebo; picnic table; poles for slack-line hook-up; dog friendly; street parking

*YMCA City Park features soccer fields, a great playground with a sandbox, and a “Fit Trail” for running and circuit training.

Park features: 8 acres; soccer fields; playground with sandbox; benches and picnic tables; mountain views; restrooms; parking

*Westwood Park offers nice views but is currently raw land that looks more like a few open lots for future development.  Presently, the park is surrounded by a fair amount of housing construction in a new neighborhood.

Park features: Mountain views; street parking

Lithia Park duck ponds

 Ashland OR Parks

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