Page 2 - WinterSpring-24-PlayGuide

lithia park info
interim director’s message 7 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission
Fun, it’s in our Nature!

Days are shorter, nights are chillier, and many of us
await the first coming of snow to the Rogue Valley.
Winter brings cozy time inside, but it also brings new
opportunities for outdoor activity and exploration.
I always look forward to when downtown Ashland
transforms into a storybook village of lights and
Lithia Park a bustling place with the Ashland Rotary
Centennial Ice Rink at its center. It’s a great time of
year to enjoy winter activities, as well as to participate
in indoor programming, both options you will see in

this Playguide.
This season, we honor the amazing volunteers that make APRC the incredible
community asset it is today. Every year, volunteers donate roughly 10,000
hours to APRC, across all our programs. Yes, you read that correctly—that’s
TEN THOUSAND HOURS! This includes volunteers in our Adopt a Park
Program, Park Host Programs, Volunteer Instructors, Event Support, Senior
Services Volunteers, Advisory Committee Members, Park Commissioners,
Park Docent Programs, Park Maintenance Volunteers, and Garden Volunteers,

just to name a few.
These thousands of hours freely given by a veritable army of volunteers are a
testament to Ashland values and its connection to place. Our magical valley
is stunning, whether blanketed in snow or wildflowers, it never ceases to take
one’s breath away and inspire the art, literature and service that is so intrinsic

to this community.
APRC has much to celebrate this season—particularly the formal recognition
of four amazing parks staff, partners, and volunteers. We are so honored to
recognize three Oregon Recreation and Parks Association award winners:
Volunteer Service Award for Senior Services volunteer Kathy McNeal, Private
Sector Partner Award for Rogue World Music, and Section for Older Adult
Resources (SOAR) Award for Outstanding Management Staff to Isleen Glatt!
Finally, Ashland Senior Advisory Committee member and volunteer Anne
Bellagia was awarded the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.
Congratulations to all our award winners and deepest gratitude for your time,
service and devotion to APRC and this community.

Leslie Eldridge - APRC Interim Director

APRC 2024 Winter/Spring PlayGuide | 541.488.5340 | The Grove at 1195 E Main St