Renovations and Upgrades Planned for Jackson Park

Published on March 10, 2025

Renovations and upgrades are planned for Jackson Park in west Medford, with funding from the City’s Park Improvement Fund and a potential state grant.

The City of Medford's Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department has received approval to apply for the 2025 State of Oregon Local Government Large Grant, with a request of up to $1 million. The City Council approved the resolution on March 5.

The grant is part of a program that requires a 50% match, which the city can meet if the 2025-27 biennial budget is approved with the requested allocation of $1.4 million from the Park Improvement Fund.

Located adjacent to Jackson Elementary School, Jackson Park has served the community since its construction in the 1960s. The 10.5-acre park recently underwent an extensive public-input process that resulted in a master plan adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2022. The project has been an approved capital improvement project for the past two City budget cycles.

Park upgrades include a large splash pad, renovations to the existing pool building from the 1960s, refurbishment of the restroom facilities, new picnic areas, a large dog park, sandy volleyball courts, a bike skills area, and continued improvements to Fagone Field. The overall estimated cost of the project is $2.3 million, with the work being completed in phases as funding becomes available.

If the grant is not received, the project will proceed with the requested $1.4 million, and the remaining $1 million would be allocated from the City’s 2027-29 biennial budget.

Since 2008, the City of Medford has received nearly $3 million in Local Government Grants, which have helped fund projects such as Lithia & Driveway Fields and the Olsrud Family Community Playground at Bear Creek Park.

The grant application is due by April 1, 2025.