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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 7, 2006 Medford to put water towers on park land The water benefits an east Medford development, but isn't going on nearby land that belongs to the developers By Meg Landers Saying it doesn't want to take up land that can be developed, the city of Medford plans to carve two acres from a public park to site water tanks for east Medford development. If approved by the City Council today, the Medford Water Commission will build two tanks of up to 1.5 million gallons each in Chrissy Park, though there are several nearby parcels that are owned by area developers whose properties will benefit from the water. Water Commission Manager Larry Rains said the benefit of using the 160-acre Chrissy Park on Cherry Lane is that it's not "robbing" potentially developable land. "If you can put it in a public area that's acceptable, then you don't interrupt future development," Rains said. Advertisement Normally the commission buys land from the developer or another private party. Of the 14 other water tanks in the city, none are in public parks, Rains said. "It's driven by the development movement out there," he said. Chrissy Park was donated to the Medford Parks and Recreation Department in 1997 by resident Dorothy Whittle. Her conditions were that it remain park land and that it be named after her dog, Chrissy. She told the Mail Tribune at the time that Chrissy often ran around the property and was "queen of the hill." Whittle died in 2000. According to minutes from an Aug. 15 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Daralene Hansen, one of the estate trustees, expressed concern that the area be preserved in its natural state as was Dorothy Whittle's wish. Attempts to reach Hansen Wednesday were unsuccessful. City Attorney John Huttl said the city and the trustees have reached an agreement allowing for the water tanks to be built. The council will consider the agreement at its noon meeting today in the City Hall Council Chambers, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Located alongside Cherry Lane near Hillcrest Road, the property is outside the city limits and Medford's urban growth boundary. The property is hilly, with madrone and oak trees, native grasses and poison oak. Nearby is the city's largest park, Prescott, spanning 1,740 acres on Roxy Ann. Parks and Recreation Director Brian Sjothun said the property is considered open space because it has no improvements. About 10 to 12 acres would be used as a neighborhood park, two would be set aside for the reservoirs and the rest would be equestrian and hiking trails. Rains said the water commission will pay the city between $250,000 and $400,000 for the property. The money will be placed in the Chrissy Park account for developing trails, parking and other improvements. Eric Johnson, water commission engineer, said the new tanks would serve part of the Southeast Plan and part of east Medford. He said construction would begin on the first Chrissy Park tank in 2007-08, and on the second one three to five years later. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com