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Garfield Park getting a major makeover By Michael Black Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission Jan 25, 2017 12:00 AM A A Since the adoption of the Ashland City Charter in 1908, the primary goal of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission (APRC) has been to build and maintain parks. Since that time, APRC has developed 276 acres of land and 17 parks while also preserving 550 acres of open space. A community hub of the Ashland Parks system is Garfield Park. Located at Garfield and East Main streets, near The Grove Recreation Center, the park has the distinction of being a local favorite among Ashlanders. Most days you will find our citizens using the facilities to play sand volleyball or basketball or taking in the sun on the large lawn. During the hotter months of the year, you will see dozens of children (with their guardians watching over them) playing in the splash pad and on Garfield’s recently updated playground. The park was originally built in 1992 over the former site of the Lithia Mill. The goal of the commissioners was to build an active community park and initial park elements cost approximately $200,000. Based on the last 25 years of use, it is apparent that the commissioners, staff and the Ashland community truly made Garfield Park into the park they originally envisioned. With heavy use, however, comes the need for major maintenance and I am honored to officially announce that the new Garfield Park Master Plan will be implemented this winter, with new park amenities ready for public use by mid-spring of 2017. The master plan includes a new basketball court surface and standards, two new picnic shelters, a new sand volleyball court with a new enclosure and standards, a new shelter to support the Cascade-Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway and a new splash pad. The biggest public impact from the improvements will undoubtedly be the new and expanded splash pad. With nearly twice the square-footage and double the amenities, the splash pad is going to make a big "splash" this summer. We are also excited to improve the area around the splash pad to provide sheltered seating and a hard-surfaced area from which families and friends can observe the playground and the splash pad. The total cost of the 2017 project is $850,000, which will be funded by Food and Beverage Tax revenues from multiple years. Construction will officially begin in January and conclude by April 30. APRC is excited to offer this amenity to the public and we hope to see you taking advantage of the improvements in the summer of 2017. Michael Black is director of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission.