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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Emergency services Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Caballero, Lightheart winning Medford school board election Ashland schools levy passing big Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Two arrested after pursuit through Jackson County UPDATE: School bus driver killed in crash near Rogue River identified Explosive vehicle fire lands Medford man in jail Emergency services, May 19 Politics and Elections Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Education Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Environment OR-7, mate may be adding to their pack Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Why is Bear Creek so muddy? Blame Emigrant silt and winter storm Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster State News Lawmakers seek authority to impeach Government releases wildfire plan to protect struggling bird in West Bill would press Lane County doctors to take Medicaid patients Senate panel passes medical pot rules Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Death Notices Barbara Ann Simmons William Odell Emmens Clarence Allen (Al) Swearingen George Frederick Christensen Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Ducks down Beavers in 11 innings, 3-2 Martin, Raza advance in Open qualifying NFL to change extra-point kicks to longer distance Wu, Challenger boys win state crowns Crater’s Giles shares state title in Class 5A Varsity 541 College Sports Ducks down Beavers in 11 innings, 3-2 Raiders prepare for NAIA national meet Holmes heads SOU recruiting class Golson undecided, could visit other schools Oregon track sweeps at Pac-12s Pro Sports Martin, Raza advance in Open qualifying NFL to change extra-point kicks to longer distance Warriors rally to take Game 1 from Rockets Timberwolves win draft lottery, Lakers No. 2 Marlins fall in Jennings' debut Community Sports Business Latest Stories Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Two Crown Markets planned for Talent Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house People In Business People in Business Transportation Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 20 Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly Kathleen Parker: Unswaddling the bab(i)es on campus Granlund cartoon: David Letterman farewell Dianne Williamson: Rare talent needn’t tread lightly on taboo topics Editorials Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly Our View: Take it easy on hunting and fishing fees Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 20 Letters to the Editor, May 19 Letters to the Editor, May 18 Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Columns Kathleen Parker: Unswaddling the bab(i)es on campus Michael Gerson: War lessons for the GOP George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (May 22-25) Lost in Suburbia: Liar, liar, pants on fire Dear Monty: Novice homebuyer’s first attempt disappointing Dave Ramsey: Budget as a couple Taste of Alba Food Taste of Alba Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can Potluck: A Gooey Butter Cake to cherish Community blog: Pucker up for quick rhubarb-celery-berry pickle Food for Thought: Grapes deliver sweet healthy goodness Home and Garden Dear Monty: Novice homebuyer’s first attempt disappointing Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Health Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Theater OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Music Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race ... Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly ... Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races ... Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race ... Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly ... Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races ... U.S. CELLULAR COMMUNITY PARK Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 18, 2015 @ 6:32 pm Updated May 18, 2015 at 6:33 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 18, 2015 @ 6:32 pm Updated May 18, 2015 at 6:33 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Build a sports park with baseball, softball, football and soccer fields, and they will come. That's been proven by increasing numbers at Medford's U.S. Cellular Community Park. Backers of a proposed running trail hope to follow suit with a 1.5- to 2-mile cross country course looping through the 132-acre park straddling Bear Creek between Interstate 5 and Highway 99. "We're looking at an all-natural surface course, where everything about it is runner-friendly, spectator-friendly, coach-friendly," said Josh Wallace, who has coached cross country at South Medford High School for nearly a decade. "In my mind, it would compete with the Prefontaine running trail in Eugene. We don't have anything like that now." The loop would begin in a grassy area in the southeastern corner of the park, go north along the eastern perimeter and then cut back across the bike path, crossing Bear Creek beneath the bridge and then running through the wooded areas between the creek and bike path on the west side. Wallace appeared before the Parks and Recreation Commission along with Rogue Runners president Justin Rosas in April 2014. He first considered approaching the city seven years ago, when the softball diamonds east of Bear Creek were built. "There was too much construction at the time," Wallace said. "You can't have races going on with backhoes working at the same time. When they finished the last softball field this past year, I decided now was the time to do it." The trail, however, figures to meander through a planning process before it can become part of the sports park's roster of activities. "This was not in the original parks master plan, and would require modification to the park's conditional use permit," said Rich Rosenthal, Medford's assistant parks and recreation director. "This shouldn't be framed as probable, it should be considered a prospective amenity." Among the sticking points, he said, is that Hawthorne Park work and other capital projects are consuming the staff's planning efforts. Because the course would deviate from the designed Bear Creek Greenway path into riparian areas, it would collide with existing use conditions permitted by the city. "It would trigger planning actions because of the conditional use along the corridor," said Pete Young, parks department planner. "We'll have to look at the feasibility, floodplains and design challenges. Part of infrastructure involves storm water outflows that drain into the riparian corridor. There is space in the riparian corridor, but the question becomes how to do it properly, given it's in a sensitive area." Should funding be set aside for the project, however, he said it was workable. "If there is enough money, you can usually go through the planning process and find an appropriate solution to the obstacles," Young said. Although Wallace is South Medford High School's cross country coach, the proposal hasn't been vetted by the Medford School District, Rosenthal said. "We're basically talking about a facility that would greatly benefit the school district," he said. "I would sense the district needed to be involved in the conversation going forward." Wallace, however, brushed aside the notion the course primarily would be used by one high school team.  "For me, this trail is not simply for cross country teams," Wallace said. "It would be more widely used by runners on a daily basis. Southern Oregon Runners would host races and anyone who wants to run or walk on a nice, soft surface would use it." Wallace said he would lead fundraising efforts to pay for the project and round up volunteers to carve out the trail. "Most of it can be done with volunteers with pickaxes and rakes," Wallace said. "I'm optimistic we can find guys to donate bark. We'll make it runner friendly and then you're good to go." The commission requested that the city staff develop placement options for the course late this year when staff time becomes available. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 18, 2015 @ 6:32 pm Updated May 18, 2015 at 6:33 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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