Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Enter now: It's our annual Spring Flower Photo Contest Author to discuss children's book publishing 10 things to know for Monday Herptilian haven New Ashland cell tower light angers neighbors Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergecy Services, March 16 Emergency services, March 15 Emergency services, March 14 Judge denies motion to suppress evidence in Rogue River serial murder case Medford man gets 4 years for burglaries Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education Work your body to save your braaaaains St. Mary's School buys campus from parish for $6.5 million Medford School District calls foul on teachers union Supporters rally to back beleaguered principal St. Mary's reaches out to China Environment Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift State News At Dorchester Conference, Oregon Republicans look past a bruising election Curry County commissioner's decision to opt out of insurance causes clamor Gov. Kate Brown to declare drought emergency in Lake, Malheur counties Lebanon High School sharpshooters aim for national titles Man languishes in Oregon jail, hasn't commit a crime Nation - World Obituaries James Albert Button Marjorie Ann Carter Rosaline (Tagudin) Wasierski Kenneth L. Swenson Frank Richard "Dick" Middaugh Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Hulce captures two gold medals Fantasy Sports: Mike Trout clear star of young outfield crop Spartans’ season comes to end Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Tourney filled with great story lines Varsity 541 College Sports Tourney filled with great story lines Cowboy Up Young, No. 13 Irvine gear up for No. 4 Louisville No Contest Maguin, Parks shine in Raiders' opening meet Pro Sports Spartans’ season comes to end Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Spieth proves clutch at Valspar Celtics end Pacers' winning streak at seven Defending champ Djokovic advances to third round Community Sports Business Latest Stories Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Blog: Are You Superstitious? Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: March madness and other madness Letters to the Editor, March 16 Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Letters to the Editor, March 15 Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Editorials Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 16 Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 13 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Columns Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Dana Milbank: Jason Rezaian's detention a tragedy for Iran Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Prudence Hilburn: Loaded potatoes, Buffalo chicken call for Candied Bacon Bites for dessert Wry & Ginger: Things that go ‘batter up’ in the night Community blog: Top toast with smashing beet, cheese spread It Is What It Is: My idea of the perfect home Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Food Prudence Hilburn: Loaded potatoes, Buffalo chicken call for Candied Bacon Bites for dessert Community blog: Top toast with smashing beet, cheese spread Gail Ciampa: Colcannon Soup with Parsley Pesto is a vegetarian alternative for St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Call: St. Pat’s minus the corned beef Community blog: Have a ball at this weekend's cheese festival Home and Garden Home Help: This top garage trend keeps gaining momentum The delightful work of flowers Using universal design Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Theater Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Stafford to lead Oregon innovation, entrepreneurship strategy ... Herptilian haven ... Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... Stafford to lead Oregon innovation, entrepreneurship strategy ... Herptilian haven ... Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children By Melody Goodboe MailTribune.com By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 @ 12:51 pm By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 @ 12:51 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Now that the swimming pool has been removed from Hawthorne Park, and the city is in preliminary planning stages to build a "typical playground" area, it's time the city of Medford and the Parks and Recreation Department step into the 21st century and rethink the playground concept. I hope they never have to experience a special-needs child looking on while his/her siblings and friends laugh and swing as they are left watching on the sidelines in a wheelchair. If you have ever visited the Children's PlayGarden in Seattle, you'll know that the 21st century playtime should be about more than a slide or a swing set, it should be about children — children with walkers, kids in wheelchairs, as well as their siblings and friends. It's about special needs children able to play alongside their siblings and friends. The Seattle Children's PlayGarden was founded by a speech and language pathologist in 2002. She wanted a therapeutic approach for children with physical and developmental disabilities, and she wanted to be able to serve the siblings of those children. She began by using the concept "to improve the lives of children" with physical and mental disabilities by providing a safe indoor-outdoor recreation space. They are also able to offer programs to encourage their potential by offering a preschool, field trips, after-school programs and summer camps for kids ages 4 to 12. The designated area was planted with ornamental and edible gardens, an extensive butterfly border, wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a 20,000 square foot "Wild Zone" with boulders and plantings, and an ever-so-popular mud pond. A pickup truck turned planter is a real hit for youngsters to step in (or wheel in), and turn the steering wheel or just pick berries from where the engine once was. The plantings were chosen to stimulate their senses, smell, taste and touch. They planted a large amount of berries, and the children can pick and eat as much as they want, and in fact, it's encouraged! It is a safe place that nurtures their natural discoveries of the world. In the section "How to Create a PlayGarden," number one on the list is "Understanding the Need." "The lives of children with special needs are consumed with therapy, trips to the doctor, hospitals, tutoring and school, and when they have a "break" to play, usually their neighborhood parks and recreation centers are often unaccommodating." A prominent Seattle pediatrician, educator and foster-care advocate can take some of the credit for instigating the garden's partnership with the city's park department. it was determined that children with special needs were under-served. I would hope the city of Medford's parks director would step up and visit the Seattle Children's PlayGarden before wasting money on just another playground for Medford. The citizens of the Rogue Valley do not need to allow another child to be left out on the sidelines. This would be a place where volunteers would be endless; doctors, therapists, teachers will all retire someday, and Hawthorne's PlayGarden would be an excellent place for them to volunteer their skills. The possibilities are endless: farm-to-table cooking classes, teaching children at a young age how to grow, harvest and prepare healthy foods, or an inside area with classrooms, a basketball court with multiple hoops at different heights, craft projects involving the garden and flowers, or a tree fort at ground level.  Medford has top-notch medical facilities. It's time for Medford to have top-notch playgrounds for people of all abilities. Melody Goodboe lives in Prospect. By Melody Goodboe MailTribune.com By Melody Goodboe Posted Mar. 13, 2015 @ 12:51 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501