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MEDFORD Medford's Hawthorne Park project is part of $1.65 million upgrade Remodeling project is part of $1.65 million upgrade Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Apr 6, 2015 at 5:29 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Apr 6, 2015 at 5:29 PM » Social News Children will soon gambol over a shiny new playground at Hawthorne Park that will be clearly visible from Jackson and Hawthorne streets. The playground construction will take center stage in the coming weeks as part of a $1.65 million remodel of the park. “We just live up the street, so we’re excited about it,” said Richard Capp, 38, who took his 3-year-old to the park Monday along with his wife. Medford Parks and Recreation is finishing up the design of the playground area, which will feature swings, climbing walls and a teeter-totter. The playground will have an area for children ages 2 to 5 and another area for children ages 5 to 12. Playcraft Systems of Grants Pass will provide the play equipment. Other improvements planned for the park makeover include an entry plaza, gardens, a restroom, a play structure, field restoration, a picnic shelter and new walkways. The play area will be moved from the center of the park to a more visible location near Jackson and Hawthorne streets. A dog park with areas for small and large dogs will be featured in the center of the park. Just to the south of the playground will be a splash pad that should be a hit with children during the summer, city officials say. Near the site of the old playground, tucked away in the center of the park, a pool or aquatics center will one day be built, city officials hope. Also in the works, the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County Leadership Class of 2014-15 wants to create a one-third-acre minipark next to Jackson Street that will appeal to children. The minipark will be just to the west of the playground. The Leadership Class is raising $70,000 to build the minipark, which will be designed to simulate a riverbed snaking through the park, with sand transported from Coos Bay. Trees, ornamental grasses, log rounds and boulders will be installed. Medford officials hope all these improvements will make the park more family-friendly and end its reputation as a hangout for the homeless. The city also wants to build a pedestrian bridge across Bear Creek that would connect the park with the new Inn at the Commons. Capp said he hopes the city can find a compassionate answer to the homeless issue that has plagued the park in years’ past. “The other day I came here and there was this guy sleeping on the slide,” he said. But Capp said he doesn’t want to just kick the homeless out of the park. “You still need to care for the homeless,” he said. Brian Sjothun, Medford Parks and Recreation director, said he expects construction will conclude sometime in July. “It’s all dependent on weather,” he said. “We also want to make sure the landscaped areas get established.” Sjothun said work on the playground should begin shortly. Councilor Daniel Bunn said he’s been impressed with the progress at the park and looks forward to seeing the playground equipment. “We’re just happy to see improvements coming to the park,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Apr 6, 2015 at 5:29 PM » 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... 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