Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 October 13, 2006 Click image for larger view This is an overhead view of the planned sports park�s layout and amenities. Design details emerge for Howard's land Property bequeathed by millionaire recluse would have many playing fields, pool, courts, skate park By Meg Landers Mail Tribune A plan for a new community sports park just west of Medford's city limits will be formally unveiled today, and construction could begin as soon as next year. The Rogue Valley YMCA and the nonprofit Wes Howard Foundation will also kick off a $30 million fundraising campaign to make a premier recreation site out of 60-plus acres that Howard bequeathed for a park. The millionaire recluse, who died in 2003 at age 87, left his entire estate, including his acreage at North Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive, for a park. "I think it's going to be an icon for the community," said state Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, a member of the Wes Howard Foundation board of directors. The park's design plans will be revealed during a ceremony today scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the property, 1221 N. Ross Lane. Advertisement The park will be built in phases, starting with some ballfields, said Dennis Hoffbuhr, another member of the foundation board. "The number one priority has been to try to get Babe Ruth some fields," said Hoffbuhr, adding that the Babe Ruth leagues have been displaced by the south Medford interchange project and have been using Hawthorne Park temporarily. The park's proposed design features an Olympic-size swimming pool and a new Rogue Valley YMCA facility, three soccer fields, two indoor and two outdoor basketball courts, two regulation baseball fields, two Babe Ruth baseball fields, eight Little League/softball fields, four volleyball courts, five tennis courts, batting cages and a skate park. Hoffbuhr said plans are being submitted to Jackson County today, and construction could begin as soon as 2007. The park lies outside Medford city limits, but within the city's urban growth boundary. "This is kind of the first step in a long journey," he said. Down the road, the organization may want to annex the property into the city of Medford, he said. City planners have said the land would have to be annexed if city water and other services were to be provided there. The YMCA will manage the fields, expected to cost $10 million, as a public park and will build and operate a roughly $20 million YMCA facility for members. Esquivel said he doesn't think there will be a problem raising the money, even though it's an ambitious project, because community members will support the plan and an experienced organization is heading up the effort. "The YMCA's been a good fundraiser throughout history," he said. He said there is some cash in the Wes Howard estate to begin building some ballfields. Howard lived in an 1890-era, two-story Victorian farmhouse without indoor plumbing. The house still stands, but it is not part of the park plan. He also owned nearby commercial property, which will provide revenue to help underwrite the park development. The YMCA will oversee design and management of the park, but park users will not be required to have a Y membership, and use of the fields will be free. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Related Stories: 07-24-2003 - Hermit�s treasure 07-27-2003 - Bidding on her past 07-30-2003 - Not one: two sports parks 08-09-2003 - Donation of land for parksa �true gift from the heart� 02-10-2005 - Howard�s final wish yet to be realized 07-20-2006 - YMCA could expand to Howard estate Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com