Lithia Park in Bloom
Right in the middle of downtown Ashland, there is a 93-acre park.
And in April, it explodes.
Lithia Park
Lithia Park follows Ashland Creek up into the hills. The trail is easy — paved near the entrance, then natural surface as you head higher. But easy doesn’t mean ordinary.
The park has been here since 1908. Landscape architect John McLaren — the same man who designed Golden Gate Park in San Francisco — had a hand in shaping it. You can feel that. There’s an intention to it. A beauty that doesn’t feel accidental.
The Japanese garden pond. Everything reflected perfectly.
The Japanese-style garden near the entrance features a quiet pond. The blooms reflected in the water.
Complete with a waterfall.
Everything in Bloom
We’ve been there numerous times since arriving in Ashland. It’s a great time of year to see the park.
Rhododendrons. Camellias. Dogwoods. All going at once.
Pink rhododendron just starting to open.
A camellia in full bloom. Showoff.
White rhododendrons with pink buds mixed in.
Pink dogwood against a perfect blue sky.
The dogwoods were absolutely covered.
California lilac — that blue is something else.
We continue to go there at least once a week, if not more.
Just Walk It
Lithia Park is one of those places that’s hard to describe and easy to love. The creek runs alongside the trail the whole way. Shade from massive trees. Flowers around every turn in April.
Easy. Beautiful. Free.
If you’re ever in Ashland — you don’t want to miss this park!
More from Ashland still to come!