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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... Our View: Every little bit helps in reducing emissions ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... Our View: Every little bit helps in reducing emissions ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Highland fire station will only occupy 1.5 acres Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I believe that the new fire station on Highland Drive near the traffic circle will take away most of the recreational facilities at Bear Creek Park. According to plans available through the city, the fire station will use 23 acres, but the whole park is only 100 acres. What’s going to happen to the skate park and the tennis courts? What about the wetlands area near the existing fire station? I realize the importance of a new fire station, but not at the expense of the children or the adults that rely on the park. — Ruth B., Medford We’ve been asked this question before, Ruth, so we should delve into the topic a little more thoroughly to try and answer your concerns. You’re right that Medford Fire-Rescue is seeking a conditional use permit on 23 acres to build a new fire station. However, the fire station will only occupy 1.5 acres . We know there are a bunch of doubting Thomases out there, so we have a drawing showing where the new fire station would be placed in Bear Creek Park. “The drawing shows that the walk path, tennis courts and overall park landscaping are not impacted as the concerns have indicated,” said Greg McKown with the city of Medford. The new fire station will be sandwiched between the existing fire station near the traffic circle and the skate park to the south. The Medford City Council raised utility fees $2 a month for an average household to pay for $32 million in bonds to build a new police station and three new firehouses, including the one on Highland. Medford fire Chief Brian Fish said the new station will occupy a slightly bigger area than the old fire station building, which will be taken over by the Medford Parks and Recreation Department to store maintenance equipment. In some of the earlier plans, the skate park was going to be taken out to make way for the new station, but Fish said the current design will allow the skate park to remain. And the creek area behind the fire station won’t be affected, Fish said. As a result, most of the park will be untouched by the new station. Besides a bigger, modern building, firefighters want to move the fire station to the south to provide easier access to the street rather than facing traffic in the roundabout. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 12:01 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Mobile Site 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 2015 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