Meeting will include updates on Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink, proposed Lithia Park roadway redesign, and a public forum
Ashland.news staff report
The Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission will provide updates on the city’s ice rink and a proposed safety project for Winburn Way in Lithia Park during its study session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
The meeting will also include a forum and a “lookahead review,” according to meeting documents.
Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink update
The city’s parks department announced last month that the popular Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink would remain closed for the season after the department was unable secure a permanent canopy permit for the rink.
A series of snafus with the permitting process, which dated back to last February, could not be resolved in time to open before Thanksgiving, according to city officials.
The department had been going through the permitting process to allow the temporary ice rink cover to remain up permanently, saving $100,000 a year by avoiding the cost of taking it down and putting it up every season.
Other technical standards also had to be met and were subject to review by the Ashland Building Division and Fire & Rescue Department.
Winburn Way discussion
The Winburn Way discussion will focus on a proposed safety project stemming from recommendations in the Lithia Park Master Plan and the Parks & Recreation Department’s work plan for 2026 and 2027, according to meeting documents.
A parks commission work group spent several months reviewing safety concerns, community feedback, and design options. The group settled on a plan that includes adding parallel ADA parking stalls, improving ADA access to the Japanese Garden, and creating an 8-foot designated pedestrian route within the roadway. Staff will present design renderings, with and without a center line, including the proposed ADA improvements. Commissioners will discuss whether to advance a preferred design for action at the Jan. 14, 2026, regular business meeting.
Closed meeting
The study session will follow a 5 p.m. closed executive session to consider the dismissal or disciplining
of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, or staff member or individual agent who does not request an open hearing. It’s not specified who the employee in question is.
However, uncertainty has hung over the job status of Rocky Houston, the Parks & Recreation director, as city officials have refused to say whether he has been suspended.
The study session will be held in the Ashland City Council chamber, 1175 E. Main St. The meeting can be attended in person or watched remotely through Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live streamed via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime.
Those interested in giving testimony electronically can do so by emailing Nancy Mero at nancymero@ashlandoregon.gov by 10 a.m. Wednesday. Type “Virtual Public Testimony” in the subject line. Public testimony can be emailed to Mero. It will be accepted until 11 a.m. Wednesday. Type “Public Testimony” into the subject line.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
Related stories:
Silence from city fuels uncertainty over Ashland Parks & Rec director’s future (Dec. 19, 2025)
Parks & Rec: Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink won’t open this season (Dec. 11, 2025)
Ashland ice rink might not open this season (Dec. 4, 2025)
Permitting snag delays Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink opening (Nov. 21, 2025)
City’s ice rink to get important updates in coming season (Sept. 18, 2024)
Aging Ashland ice rink infrastructure may have to be replaced, commissioners told (May 2, 2024)
Ice rink issues, parking on Winburn Way through Lithia Park top APRC special meeting agenda Wednesday (May 1, 2024)
