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CLEAR Temp: 77 °F Wind: WNW at 4 mph Friday, August 15, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2003 Not one: two sports parks Medford and foundation officials ponder a sudden wealth of opportunities By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The donation of a private estate valued in the millions of dollars means that Medford will have not one, but two sports parks in the not-too-distant future. Now it’s up to the city and a private foundation to determine what shape those two parks will take. "We’re talking to soccer groups and little league groups and Babe Ruth groups and the city of Medford parks," said Dennis Hoffbuhr, foundation member of the Howard Memorial Sports Park. Wes Howard, who died in March at 87, left his entire estate, including 68 acres and an 1890s Victorian farmhouse, land leased to Bi-Mart on the Jacksonville Highway, and about $1 million dollars in bonds, to create a nonprofit sports park. An auction of personal property from Howard’s estate, including many antiques and collectibles, was held Saturday, with proceeds to go to the sports park. The park will be built on the 68- acre parcel on the corner of Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive in Medford. Advertisement Howard lived a simple life, with no indoor plumbing in the old farmhouse. But his accumulated properties and possessions produced a stunning donation after his death. Just what final form that donation will take is still undetermined. Hoffbuhr said the sports park organization is in its infancy and no development details or timelines had been developed. Medford Parks and Recreation Director Scott Archer said when it comes to available youth and adult sports fields, Medford comes up short, so he’s excited about the foundation’s goal. "There’s definitely a need here," he said. "There’s an overuse impact on quite a few of our fields," he said. He said not only is it difficult for the large numbers of soccer, softball and baseball teams to schedule practice and game times, but the turf fields are overly trampled nearly year around. "The fields need recovery time," he said, adding that the city has closed soccer fields at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park for six weeks this summer because of overuse. While the private foundation is just getting started on its planning, the city of Medford is developing the master plan for its own sports park complex, 132-acres east of Highway 99 near Bear Creek Corp. Archer said he plans to meet with the members of the private foundation to coordinate plans so that the sports parks will complement each other. He said the city will begin seeking public input on its sports park in the fall. With the private park’s development process also pending, Medford sports enthusiasts will have a wealth of opportunities to consider. "The timing is very interesting," said Archer, who noted that the Howard park will considerably expand recreation opportunities in west Medford. He said the Howard property is ideal because the land is flat, the property is a large square parcel and it’s strategically located near highways 238 and 99. And so far, it’s free to the community. "With all those considerations, it seems like a good deal," he said. Hoffbuhr, for whom the North Medford High School soccer field was named when he left the school board in 2001, said he didn’t think the entire 68 acres would be developed at once, but rather in phases. He said he admired Howard, who could have easily chosen to indulge himself personally, for his significant gift to the community. "(Howard) did a remarkable thing and lived a frugal lifestyle," said Hoffbuhr. "It’s an amazing opportunity for the community." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times