Our View: Castles in the sky | Daily Tidings

Document text

Ashlanders rightly treasure the hiking trails that meander through the watershed above the city. Another destination known mostly to boulder climbing enthusiasts is the Acid Rock Castles area at the end of Hitt Road above Strawberry Lane. Thanks to a City Council vote last week, the area belongs to the city of Ashland. Perhaps public ownership will mean the site will be better cared for. The Parks Commission first approved the purchase of two lots totaling 46 acres for a negotiated price of $360,000, which is below market value. The commission asked for City Council approval as well, which came last week in a unanimous vote. The boulder-strewn property has been a draw for adventure seekers for years, and is described in detail on internet blogs and websites devoted to rock climbing and Ashland-area recreation. Climbing atop the boulders gives a panoramic view of the city below. In a blog posted on insighttoashland.com in 2014, writer Peter Kleinhenz notes the boulders have been defaced by graffiti and the bases of the most accessible boulders littered with broken glass, cigarette butts and plastic bottles. He also says intensive use appears to be causing erosion on the steep slopes. The city's purchase of the property will provide better connectivity to existing trails. Another reason for the purchase was to allow the Parks Commission's forestry division to conduct healthy forest treatments of the property. Public ownership should also facilitate cleaning up the area, removing graffiti if possible and encouraging more responsible use by the public.