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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend July 21, 2006 A cat walks along a sidewalk on Eighth Street where an 8.56-acre municipal park is planned to open next spring. Lewis Park will be at the corner of Eighth Street and Lewis Avenue, a block south of Black Bird Shopping Center on West Main Street. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) Lewis Park takes shape By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Parkside Village Apartments in west Medford will finally live up to its name next spring when play areas, basketball courts and a BMX track take shape a year behind schedule at the city's Lewis Park. "That's going to be nice," said Claudia Ayala, apartment manager of the new 60-unit complex at Eighth Street and Lewis Avenue. Work originally was set to begin on the 8.56-acre municipal park in April, but a larger park in south Medford diverted the city's attention. Merlin McDaniel, design and construction manager for Medford Parks and Recreation, attributes the delay to other priorities, such as planning the new 132-acre Medford Sports and Community Park and coordinating street access in time for the opening game at the new Harry and David baseball field in April. The Medford City Council Thursday approved a $1.35 million contract with LTM to design and build Lewis Park and Lone Pine Park. The lion's share — $1 million — will go toward Lewis Park, which will also have a play area for tots, a larger play area with a climbing wall, a water feature, basketball courts, a sand-volleyball court, a walking path, horseshoe pits, a barbecue shelter, picnic tables and restrooms. The remaining $350,000 will add a bathroom, water spray play area, parking and pathways at Lone Pine Park, said McDaniel. Lone Pine Park is the playground at Lone Pine Elementary School in east Medford. Ayala, who is the niece of the apartments' owner/developer Laz Ayala, said the year delay in the park project hasn't been a hardship because the apartments are brand new. Tenants are happy to hear of the future park across the street, she said. Brian Sjothun, parks and recreation director, said Thursday's contract approval is good news for west Medford, which has few parks. "Union Street Park and Jackson School Park are probably the closest," he said. Sjothun said he doesn't know what feature will be built first, and the next step is meeting with LTM to talk about the design. Enhancements to Elk Creek, which runs through Lewis Park, will not be part of this contract. "The creek will be a future project," Sjothun said. Meanwhile, McDaniel said that plans are moving forward on a portion of the new sports park. "The four-field complex is under design and we're aiming for this fall (for construction)," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help