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Park advocates garner ODOT's help photo by Drew Fleming By JILL BRISKEY Al Mullis was prepared to take on the state to preserve a small Medford park honoring some 500 Southern Oregon men and women killed in war or listed as missing in action. To his surprise, the Talent resident discovered the state was willing to work with him - not against him - and make improvements to Veterans Memorial Park. Interchange project construction won't get under way until 2005 The proposed $44 million south Medford freeway interchange project is a step closer to completion, but construction won't start for several years. A draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project is nearly complete. Once the study's results are in, Oregon Department of Transportation officials will seek public comment. ODOT Program manager Gary Leaming said public meetings, which will span a 45-day period, will begin in October. The study will address the environmental impacts of three alternatives to the project. One would make no major improvements to the city's south Interstate 5 interchange. The other two would move the interchange south. One would make eastside connections with Ellendale Drive, the other with Highland Drive. Leaming said construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2005 and end in 2007. "We were all prepared to fight but we didn't have to," said Mullis, a businessman, Army veteran and chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee. "You can't stop the state from making an improvement, but you can work with them." The 1.4-acre park sits at the corner of Highway 99 and Stewart Avenue. State transportation officials say they need to take a piece of it to widen Highway 99 as part of a proposed $44 million project to relocate the south Medford freeway interchange. Although the park will lose about a fifth of an acre and three sycamore trees, the state will install a drainage system, construct a new sidewalk with wheelchair access and even landscape the surrounding area. Monday, ODOT Project Manager Gary Leaming said the state had reached an agreement on the project with the Veterans Memorial Committee. "We understand the park is very sensitive in its heritage," Leaming said. "We wanted to preserve, not take away." Leaming said a cost estimate for park improvements was not available. They will be paid for as part of the $44 million interchange project. Work on the park won't begin until the interchange project is approved and construction begins, Leaming said, possibly in 2005. The city's parks department owns Veterans Memorial Park and is responsible for general maintenance. Mullis said the volunteer veterans committee oversees the construction of memorials and maintains and improves the park. Mullis said the state improvements will eliminate ongoing drainage problems that often turn the park into a marsh. "This seems to be a win-win," Mullis said. "I believe this is going to enhance the park." Veterans Memorial Park was created in 1919 when a single maple tree was planted to honor a soldier who died in World War I. The park honors community members who died in all wars, Mullis said. In addition to picnic tables, flower beds and a lawn, the park features a flag plaza, granite walls inscribed with the names of various donors and memorial plaques. Mullis said the park was created thanks to donations from businesses and community members, ranging from labor to materials. Mullis said 108 maple trees were planted in the park at one point, but many were removed as the city grew. A Scout troop planted several sycamores, and the park sports a hawthorn tree. Work on the park isn't complete, however. Eventually, Mullis said the sycamores and hawthorn trees will be removed. In their place will stand 51 maples, most started from seeds taken from of the first tree planted in the park. The trees will honor the 51 local casualties of World War I. Although the park is a state historical site, Mullis said the committee is working to achieve national historic status. "This is a continuation of history," Mullis said. "It's a living memorial to the men and women who died in wars." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.