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HAWTHORNE PARK CLOSURE Railroad Park will be food hand-out site for homeless Medford council decides Almond Street parking lot also will be used on temporary basis Comment By Sam Wheeler Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Sam Wheeler Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 at 2:00 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Railroad Park groups object to homeless feeding plan » Social News The Medford City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to designate Medford's Railroad Park and a small parking lot at the intersection of Almond and East Ninth streets as rotating  places for organizations and individuals to provide food for homeless and hungry individuals during Hawthorne Park's year-long closure for restoration. Railroad Park will be utilized November through March, while the Almond Street lot will be used during the rest of the year, the council decided on a 6-0 vote. Councilor Tim Jackle was absent.  A part of the vote was to allow the  Medford Parks and Recreation Department to spend $900 on six portable canopies for use by the Salvation Army, which has made available a portion of its Beatty Street property for food hand-out services. And groups or individuals that wish to reserve exclusive use of an area for food distribution will be required to obtain a six-month renewable permit through the city, and will be required to remove their own trash.  Hawthorne Park, a popular hangout for the homeless, is schedled to close within a few weeks for a $1.65 million remodel over the next year. The park has seen its share of problems associated with vagrancy over the years, including stabbings, fights, dog attacks, littering, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and public urination. George Schroeder, a member of the Medford Parking Commission, asked the council to push back making a decision concerning the Almond Street parking lot, citing concerns from the Parking Commission that some of the vagrancy problem associated with Hawthorne Park would carry over to the small parking lot. Tammy Johnson, head of SOS Ministries, which provided free meals in Hawthorne Park every Wednesday, said she was not in favor of using Railroad Park because of gang activity in the area.  "It's not a safe park," she told councilors. "Railroad Park won't work for me ... I can't take minors there." Councilor Chris Corcoran said Johnson should make arrangement to provide free meals with the Salvation Army if she does not feel comfortable using Railroad Park.  Councilors Bob Strosser and J ohn Michaels said they are aware of the security issues associated with Railroad Park, and they requested that  Parks and Recreation Department Director Brian Sjothun reach out to the Medford Police Department about heightening patrols in the area when free meal providers are utilizing the space.  Finding a suitable replacement to Hawthorne Park "has been languishing for quite a while, so we are making some attempt to say 'move it forward,' as opposed to letting it just sit," Strosser said.  "I know there is going to some problems ... I know there is going to be issues, so we're trying to stay flexible on this and trying to work it out," said Michaels. "I can tell you right now, there is going to be failures along the way ... lets just accept that and move on." Councilors directed the parks and parking commissions to hold a joint meeting and further discuss circumstances surrounding the issue, which will remain fluid.  Reach reporter Sam Wheeler at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/swhlr. By Sam Wheeler Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 19, 2014 at 2:00 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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