Lithia Park

Lithia Park is a 93-acre urban park in Ashland featuring walking trails, flower gardens, ponds, and mixed tree species including Douglas firs, oaks, and madrones. The grounds follow the natural terrain along Ashland Creek and offer tennis courts, picnic areas, and playgrounds throughout the property.

The park was designed in 1914 by John McLaren, the landscape architect behind San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Its layout follows Frederick Law Olmsted's principles of working with natural topography rather than imposing rigid patterns on the land.

The park connects directly to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which has hosted outdoor performances and community events since its founding. This link shapes how locals and visitors use the grounds for social and artistic gatherings year-round.

The park has restrooms, drinking fountains, and numerous picnic and rest areas, with street parking available nearby. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and can use various entry points to explore different sections of the grounds.

Natural mineral springs containing lithium flow through decorative fountains scattered across the grounds, a remnant of early 20th-century health tourism in Oregon. Visitors can still see and experience these water features today.

Location: Ashland

GPS coordinates: 42.19003,-122.71697

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:59