Document text
0 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 Medford glares at electronic signs Since You Asked: ZIP code determines address for Postal Service Get Up & Go: Nov. 19 Emergency services Family files $5 million suit in son's death Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland Emergency Services Medford police shoot bear near Jefferson Elementary Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Environment Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill State News Police shoot robbery suspect in Klamath Falls Nation - World Obituaries Jason Lee Manthe Perry Charles Card Robert E. Johnson Tennie Lee Sutton Cletta Marie Yocham Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Top-ranked Kentucky rips No. 5 Kansas Bryant's 28 carries Lakers to second victory Payton leads Beavers past Corban, 86-62 Steelers release unhappy running back Blount Gray on center stage with Patriots Varsity 541 College Sports Top-ranked Kentucky rips No. 5 Kansas Payton leads Beavers past Corban, 86-62 Balanced Raiders roll past Simpson LEADING THE WAY 'Bama leapfrogs Oregon to No. 1 in poll Pro Sports Bryant's 28 carries Lakers to second victory Steelers release unhappy running back Blount Gray on center stage with Patriots Love thinks Ryder Cup is too crowded Woods irked by Jenkins parody Community Sports Results / Standings Business Latest Stories Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Medford Center up for a makeover by new buyer Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Demand from LNG terminals would likely boost natural gas prices Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Opinion Latest Letters to the editor, Nov. 19 Court ruling may envelope Cover Oregon Granlund cartoon: Adrian Peterson suspended Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Our View: Kicking the can down the road Editorials Court ruling may envelope Cover Oregon Our View: Kicking the can down the road Our View: Wyden's O&C bill may be the answer, or not Other Views: A chastened Kitzhaber must tend to business Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor, Nov. 19 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 18 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 17 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 16 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 14 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Reflections on the election in Oregon and beyond Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Lifestyle Latest stories Kitchen Call: Corn pudding is perfect for Thanksgiving Dave Says: Mother-in-law needs a push toward financial independence Lost in Suburbia: Revenge of the turkey Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Keep it simple with Thanksgiving wines Food Kitchen Call: Corn pudding is perfect for Thanksgiving Keep it simple with Thanksgiving wines Homes for the holidays Community blog: Bourbon-bacon pie crust perfect with pumpkin Food for Thought: Embark on a culinary trip around the world Home and Garden Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Beyond curb appeal: When it pays to stand out Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home Health Community blog: Lazy Able-Bodied People Could Live Here Here's a hand up you can use Community blog: Happy Holidays? Surviving and Even Thriving in the Dark Times Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’ Health Watch: Tips for post-workout recovery Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Christ Unity Church shows 'Gen Silent' Milestones and Achievements Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Ashland honey festival draws swarm of visitors Fundraiser to benefit Medford Senior Center New Arrivals The meaning behind Veterans Day Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows 'Alice in Wonderland' opens at Theatre Convivio 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Theater 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Music Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows The Farr Side: CMA telecast was a disappointment Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Rogue World Ensemble presents 'Gather 'Round' Focus on Tanya Gabrielian as Rogue Valley Symphony evokes the Baroque Community Events Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Dining Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years ... Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms ... Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland ... Victims' families recount pain, loss as drunken driver sentenced to 15 years ... Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms ... Mexican man pleads guilty to growing pot in forest near Ashland ... Bike and scooter riders want to use Medford skate park Rules ban all but skateboards and rollerblades at Bear Creek Park facility By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 15, 2014 @ 11:55 am By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 15, 2014 @ 11:55 am » Social News Local skaters who use the skateboard park at Medford's Bear Creek Park are concerned about a request by trick bike riders who are seeking a rule change at the facility. The Medford Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and will likely discuss the request to allow bikers to use the skate park. Several afternoons this week, skateboarders, bikers and scooter riders could be seen using the park simultaneously. Bikes and scooters have been banned since the park opened in 2000, but a dozen skaters polled Friday said the ban on all but skateboards and rollerblades has not been enforced in recent years. Medford skater Brian Genrich, 23, said Friday he worries about younger skaters getting injured due to bikers using the space, and he said the park has endured extensive damage from bikes. "This park would actually be in much better condition if bikes never rode here," said Genrich. Using the park with friends on Friday, Genrich said he had "nothing against bikes." "As long as they would respect the skaters, it's no big deal, but a lot of them are disrespectful and they mess up the park," Genrich said. A handful of bikers declined to discuss the issue, but one scooter user said the park should be accessible to all. Zane Gamble, riding a scooter on Friday after school, said he hoped skaters, bikers and scooter users can find common ground so the park can be open to all users. Gamble, 14, said he organized a petition this summer after getting beat up. He said conflict between skaters and non-skateboard users was common and that skaters have thrown scooters over the fence or in a nearby retention pond and have confronted bikers, asking them to leave the park. "I got 75 signatures to help the park and get the police to come over more so it would be safer for everyone," Gamble said. "I think scooters should be allowed. We just want to have fun and come here to use the park and scoot. We don't ruin anything. We just have rubber wheels. We have as much right as anyone." While discussions about a rule are preliminary, the bike group's request is not the first the city has received. A group of bikers appealed to the city in 2006 for a rule change, which was subsequently denied due largely to safety concerns at the 24,000-square-foot facility. Medford Recreation Superintendent Rich Rosenthal said a discussion of the issue would allow Parks Commission members to gather information about the issue and listen to concerns. Rule changes would likely require a vote by City Council. Rosenthal said concerns about safety had won out in previous discussions about adding bikes to the space. "The primary concern has been that a skater would not win in a collision between a bike and a skateboard," said Rosenthal. Luke Gilmore, 22, said he hoped local skaters would speak up at the Tuesday meeting. Pointing to chipped and cracked surfaces at the facility, Gilmore said bikes won't mix well with skaters. Both skating alongside bikes and skating over damaged areas, he pointed out, is unsafe for skaters. "The thing with bikes is they chip up the coping, which makes it harder to skate, and just skating with bikes in here isn't safe," Gilmore said. "With skate boards, at least there's a flow and people get the gist of it. Bikers do whatever they want. There could be 100 skateboarders in here and it'd be fine, but there can be 10 bikes and it's crowded, and you don't know which way they're going to go." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]       By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 15, 2014 @ 11:55 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501