Medford residents are looking forward to a new recreational facility with a generous offering of amenities, scheduled to appear adjacent to the Rogue Credit Union Community Complex (RogueX). A 50-acre site will transform into the Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park, complete with a playground, courts for basketball and pickleball, and even a Vietnam War Memorial, as reported earlier today.
The park is set to serve over 2,000 residents in its vicinity, boasting a neighborhood park designed with family-friendly features like picnic areas, a walking path and, yes, an 89-stall parking lot because we all know how street parking can be a nightmare on busy days. This sizable project also includes a hefty promise of features for sports enthusiasts, with plans for three sand volleyball courts, three youth ballfields, batting cages, and the massive pickleball facility named the Lithia & Driveway Pickleball Courts, the latter which could become the region's largest municipal pickleball hub with 19 lighted courts, according to a statement obtained by the City of Medford's news release.
The need for parking relief is remedied with an addition of 260 spaces—because who hasn't felt the crunch when a pleasant day at the park turns into a circling-the-lot situation. It isn't just residents who can indulge in these facilities; the pickleball courts are bound to be a hit for regional and national tournaments said to cater to a growing community demand.
The budget for this expanse stands at $1.8 million, a bill footed by Howard Memorial Sports Park, Inc., the City of Medford, the Southern Oregon Pickleball Association’s fundraising efforts, and a long-term naming rights agreement with Lithia Motors, Inc; details were outlined in the City of Medford's news release. The Vietnam War Memorial, nearing completion, honors over 58,000 service members with a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall—a poignant result of collaboration among Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit, local businesses, and Howard Memorial Sports Park, Inc.
Parks and Recreation Director Rich Rosenthal shared his enthusiasm, "The City of Medford is excited to partner with the Howard Memorial Sports Park board of directors and other community organizations to help make Wes Howard's dying wish come true in terms of his longtime homestead being developed to benefit children and families of Medford," he stated. With the onset of construction set for this fall, most amenities should be ready by 2026, giving Medford families plenty to anticipate in the coming year.
