Document text
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 Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 February 10, 2005 Wes Howard�s 1890s farmhouse still sits on the parcel at Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive that he bequeathed to a youth foundation for a sports park. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Howard’s final wish yet to be realized Sports park plans stall despite late recluse’s gift, as board weighs options and price tag By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune March marks two years since recluse Wes Howard left his $11 million estate to a youth sports foundation, and still no ballfields exist at the corner of Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive — in part because the project is short on cash. "Even though we have the land, there’s still not enough money in the estate to build a sports park," said Dennis Hoffbuhr, a planner for the new private sports fields. Howard lived a frugal existence in a 19th century home with no modern plumbing. He cooked on a woodstove and used an outhouse for a bathroom. Neighbors remembered that Howard, armed with a shotgun, used to chase children off his property. Yet near the end of his life, he started a youth sports foundation to which he left his estate — including the 68-acre parcel at Ross and Rossanley. He died in March 2003 at age 87. Howard’s eccentricity garnered attention across the United States and Great Britain after his death. An estate auction held in July 2003 drew people from several Western states because of valuable items such as an 1850s icebox, 1800s crock jugs, buggy harnesses, lanterns and tube radios. The proceeds went to the foundation. Advertisement The estate was held in probate until the end of 2004, according to estate attorney John Hassen. Meanwhile, the private sports park’s board, made up of John Schleining, Sal Esquivel, Al Rettmann and Hoffbuhr, has been assessing the community’s sports needs. Hassen said baseball fields probably will be part of the park. "Wes was more interested in baseball than anything else," he said. Hassen said the board has received requests from residents such as a rockscaling wall for the park, but Hassen didn’t think that was likely at this point. In addition to assessing needs, the group will discuss funding options. "We may even ask for grants," said Hassen. "And then, there are things like, do we hire a maintenance crew?" Hoffbuhr said baseball, softball, soccer and other sports are likely to be part of the plan. "I actually see it as being a combination of all those things," he said. He said the board has met with city staff and reviewed the Medford Sports Park plan in order to ensure that the private park meets needs rather than duplicates features. Hoffbuhr said the board will hold public meetings after a master plan has been drafted. Howard’s estate includes land leased to Bi-Mart on the Old Jacksonville Highway, about $1 million in bonds and the proceeds from the auction. But sports parks are more than just throwing down some grass seed, said Hoffbuhr. There are rest rooms, parking lots, lighting and grounds maintenance to consider, he said. Hassen said the fate of the 1890s farmhouse on the Rossanley parcel is still undecided. Cost of restoration might be prohibitive, and the house might be demolished, he said. Brian Sjothun, Medford Parks and Recreation director, said city staff members have met with the foundation, but they’re not involved in the assessment process. "We are really up to our eyes with the sports park right now, and that’s what we’re focusing on," said Sjothun. Hoffbuhr said there is no plan to sell off some of the parcel to raise money, but that all fund-raising options will be explored. "It’s one thing to talk about sports parks and how great they are. It’s another thing for people to step up and pay for them," said Hoffbuhr. Medford seeks alternative funds for park Medford’s other new sports park, at Highway 99 between Lowry Lane and South Stage Road, is shifting gears after a $10 million bond measure to develop the 132-acre park failed in November. "We’re looking at some possible different funding options," said Brian Sjothun, parks and recreation director. A new baseball field within the sports park is moving forward, however. The city hopes to put the replacement for Miles Field out for new bids in mid-March. The city halted the project when it was learned the Medford Youth Baseball Society, which managed the construction, had not followed proper public bidding procedures for hiring a contractor. Meanwhile, the parks department plans to open a new zero-depth water spray feature at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park the weekend of May 21. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Related Stories: 07-24-2003 - Hermit�s treasure 07-27-2003 - Bidding on her past 07-30-2003 - Not one: two sports parks 08-09-2003 - Donation of land for parksa �true gift from the heart� 02-10-2005 - Howard�s final wish yet to be realized 07-20-2006 - YMCA could expand to Howard estate 07-20-2006 - Design details emerge for Howard's land 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 Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com