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Click Here 42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, January 31, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 16, 2003 Off-roaders damage part of Prescott Park Medford police say the lure of snow may have spurred the illegal acts By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Nothing like new-fallen snow to inspire snowmen, snowball fights — and four-wheelin’ in an east Medford scenic park. Medford police officer Rob Havice said this weekend’s snowfall enticed several drivers to do some off-roading at Prescott Park, part of an ongoing dilemma. In March, neighbors solicited the city’s help in keeping trucks and off-road vehicles from illegally driving on the area’s 1,740-acre oak savanna park. "It ruins the landscape, it damages the terrain," said Parks and Recreation Director Scott Archer. "Then you get erosion problems." Havice said the problem has improved because more neighbors are calling the police when they see people drive up the hillside. Advertisement Additionally, Medford’s public works installed barriers in the spring which "have been a great deal of help," he said. The problem is there are new developments going in below Prescott Park, and with new subdivision streets come more access points into the park. "We’re always trying to plug holes," Archer said. He said until a development is completed, the city can’t plug the route violators are using to get into the park. Vandalism and trash dumping is not as bad as it has been, but lots of bottles, needles and condoms are still found, said Havice. "The largest amount of (violators) are Friday and Saturday nights," said Havice, adding that the majority of the violators he catches are teenagers. For years the police have been talking about having a full-time caretaker live on-site. Havice said the police department would like to have an officer stationed there, but for now the park is just a part of officers’ regular patrols and they’ll continue to respond to neighbors’ complaints as needed. Archer said he doesn’t like to see the area destroyed, but city officials need to decide how much money they want to spend installing barriers and stepping up patrols. "I think it’s just going to be one of those ongoing things," said Archer. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times