Lithia Park

Ashland, Oregon, United States

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Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon, began in 1892 as an 8-acre site where the Southern Oregon Chautauqua Association brought entertainment and culture to the region.

The park grew around Ashland Creek, with the original flour mill torn down in 1909 to make way for a landscaped area including a duck pond and waterfall. In 1914, landscape architect John McLaren, known for designing San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, was hired to develop an 18-acre plan that embraced the natural canyon terrain and highlighted native trees and plants.

The park features diverse attractions such as tennis courts, gardens, a Japanese garden, and the Ashland Shakespeare Festival's original theater site. Named after the nearby lithia-infused spring water believed to have healing properties, Lithia Park has expanded to about 93 acres, with much of it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It has survived floods and changes over the years but remains a cherished green space and cultural heart of Ashland, offering natural beauty and historic significance alongside recreational and performance venues.