Next steps for new sports park in West Medford

Medford, Ore — The City of Medford is one step closer to turning 60 acres of land in West Medford into a sports park.

The Wes Howard Memorial Sports park has mostly sat vacant since it’s donation to a non-profit in 2003.

The property was within Medford’s growth boundary but not in city limits.

Medford Parks & Rec Director Rich Rosenthal – who also sits on the sports park’s non-profit board says.

That made developing the land extremely difficult.

That is until Thursday when the city voted to annex the park.

“There’s a much higher likelihood that the city of Medford can partner with the non-profit board of directors in development plans for the property,” said Rosenthal.

Future plans may include more soccer fields, an indoor recreation area and a neighborhood park.

Rosenthal says it’s also a candidate for hosting a new city swimming pool but those plans are not currently in the works.

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Matt Jordan is the Chief Meteorologist for KOBI-TV NBC5. Matt joined the NBC5 weather team in 2014 after a year as a reporter and anchor in Alexandria, Louisiana. His experience with the severe weather of the Deep South and a love of the Pacific Northwest led him to pursue a certification with Mississippi State University as a Broadcast Meteorologist. You can find Matt working in the evenings of NBC5 News at 5, 6 and 11 as well as online. Matt also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. In addition to being passionate about news and weather, Matt is a BIG Oregon Ducks fan. When not rooting for the Ducks or tracking down the next storm over the Pacific, Matt can be found outdoors in the Oregon wilderness with his wife, his daughter and their dogs Stanley and Gordi.
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