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By Damian Mann Mail Tribune November 13. 2014 5:09PM Dirt moving as Hawthorne makeover begins John Gorham of Jacksonville walks his dog Genesse past the area of Medford's Hawthorne Park under development. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A long-awaited $1.65 million makeover of Hawthorne Park is under way with Vitus Construction moving dirt to create a dog park near the site of a former public swimming pool. Orange fencing has been erected around the construction area. Workers next will turn their attention to expanding the parking lot on Hawthorne Street as the city embarks on a major effort to transform a park with an unsavory reputation into a family-friendly environment. “I think it’s going to be a lot better when you can see into a park so you don’t have the hidey-holes where people do strange things,” said Dan Ratty, chairman of the Medford Parks and Recreation Commission. Ratty said the investment needs to be backed up with efforts by the Parks and Recreation Department, Medford police and the public to keep an eye on what goes on in Hawthorne. He said the dog park, which will have an area for small and large dogs, will be a big draw. Also, he said, new basketball courts should see a lot of activity. “In the summer, we’re going to have a splash pad,” Ratty said. The city still hopes to one day build a pool or aquatics center, which would attract seniors, families and athletic events, he said. “Like I said, it’s going to take a lot of effort on everybody’s part to make this work,” he said. The trails through the park will be well lit to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists and discourage unwanted behavior, Ratty said. Other improvements include an entry plaza, gardens, restroom, play structure, field restoration, picnic shelter and new walkways. The play area will be moved from the center of the park to a more visible location near Jackson Street and Hawthorne. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians contributed $25,000 for art work on the pillars supporting the Interstate 5 viaduct next to the park. An area also has been set aside for a pool. Last year, the city took out the existing pool, which first opened in 1950. It was closed in 2011 after city officials determined it was leaking 30,000 gallons a day. Brian Sjothun, director of parks and recreation, said work on the park should be finished by June, in time for summer activities. Hawthorne has seen its share of problems associated with vagrancy over the years — including stabbings, fights, dog attacks, public intoxication and public urination. Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said one officer is assigned to make sure Hawthorne Park is sufficiently policed to keep track of criminal activity. “It’s already aggressively patrolled,” Budreau said. Officer Mike Todd patrols the park as needed, and he also calls in other officers depending on the situation and whether enforcement needs to be targeted, Budreau said. Most of the issues in the park are drug-related, and those who have committed an offense can be excluded for 30 days the first time and for 90 days on the second offense, Budreau said. The police will continue to closely monitor activities in the park and to make sure the public feels safe visiting it, he said. “Our concern has always been with the perception that the park is not safe,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm.   http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141113/NEWS/141119804 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->