City e-News
September 10, 2026—Issue No. 28
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Parks & Recreation Fee renewal
Join the conversation!
Should the Parks Fee continue past June 2027? Take our survey and join the conversation in person on Monday, September 14 at the City Council Study Session - Your voice can help shape Council's decision on funding for parks, recreation and senior services.
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Building Better Together
Major project highlights - All project pages are updated monthly
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Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink -
The snow load kit was successfully installed on the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink cover in July 2026, and the rink’s hard surface improvements were completed in August. We’ve now moved on to making necessary improvements to the rink’s electrical systems. We’re on track to open in November! Learn more about the seasonal ice rink at ashlandoregon.gov/IceRink.
Imperatrice Property -
The Imperatrice Property is located within Jackson County's land use jurisdiction and zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). The 846-acre property was purchased in 1996 to support wastewater treatment plant operations, specifically to spray effluent on the hill and create sludge ponds. However, the City later chose a different approach, upgrading the treatment plant to a tertiary system. The property is no longer needed for wastewater applications. The property has been appraised at approximately $2.4 million for the lower section and $1.4 million for the upper section. Any proceeds from sale will return to the Wastewater Fund. The City Council will review options for the property at a future meeting.
Looking ahead -
We are updating the Transportation System Plan, a 20-year vision for how people move around Ashland. Watch for ways to get involved starting October 2026.
More at ashlandoregon.gov/MajorProjects.
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You belong here
Ashland is committed to being a welcoming and safe community for all, regardless of immigration status. As a sanctuary city, Ashland fully complies with Oregon's Sanctuary Promise laws. Our immigration resources page connects community members to hotlines, legal aid, local advocacy organizations and information on how to report violations. Shout out to our Social Equity and Racial Justice Advisory Committee for advising City Council on policies and actions that help turn these values into practice.
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Neighborly Check-In
This biweek's challenge: Check in on a neighbor. Do they know their evacuation zone? Are they signed up for alerts? Do they have a go-bag?
Ashland residents have been clear, we want to be a community that looks out for each other. You do not need to have all the answers. Just share the conversation, and the link: ashlandoregon.gov/GetReady.
Fire readiness, emergency preparedness and water conservation tips are all there too. Better Prepared. Better Together.
Download & print the City of Ashland Evacuation Zone Map by clicking on the map above.
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Park Commission votes on Lithia Park East Hillside bike trails
At their regular business meeting on Wednesday, September 9, the Park Commission voted to deny the proposal for the Lithia Park East Hillside Mountain Bike Trails. Commissioners directed the Trails Advisory Committee to work with RVMBA (Rogue Valley Mountain Biking Association) and other trail advocacy groups to identify alternative routes for beginner mountain bike trails outside of Lithia Park.
You can watch the full discussion on the Park Commission playlist on the City of Ashland YouTube channel. Please note that it can take up to 48 hours for videos to load. Thanks for your patience.
Picture of Pioneer Fire Road in Lithia Park courteous of Jeffrey McFarland.
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Fire Danger for Ashland is now MODERATE
As of September 3, our fire danger has dropped to MODERATE. Please stay vigilant - We still have a couple weeks of summer left - warmer temps, dry days and wind can change things quickly. Check out all you need to know about fire safety and emergency preparedness at ashlandoregon.gov/GetReady. Better Prepared. Better Together.
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We Are Better Apart: Bear safety tips
If you spend time outdoors during bear season, consider carrying bear spray — and know how to use it. It's most effective when a bear is actively charging and within 30 feet: aim slightly downward and spray in a wide arc. Keep it accessible, not buried in your pack.
And remember: the best bear encounter is one that never happens. Make noise on trails, travel in groups and never approach or feed a bear.
Report bear sightings through our Wildlife Tracker or via See Click Fix. Full info at ashlandoregon.gov/Wildlife.
When it comes to wildlife, We are Better Apart.
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Report a Problem for a Better Ashland with SeeClickFix
Discover SeeClickFix… This platform allows you to submit non-emergency requests and reports, which are then automatically routed to the appropriate department for review and action. Report a variety of issues, including feeding wildlife, graffiti, pothole, streetlight outages, abandoned vehicles, intersection, water leaks, park facility concerns and more. You can even request a water audit through SeeClickFix.
Empowering you to help make Ashland a Better Place, Together!
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City Energy Programs: Powering Ashland
From staying cool in the summer heat to charging up your EV, Ashland has new ways to save energy, save money and live more comfortably.
Our Conservation Division, which is part or the City Electric Department, offers incentives and services for both residential and business customers, including:
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Home Energy Score – a free assessment of your home's energy features (while funding lasts, through October 23, 2026)
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Electric Ready! – panel and circuit upgrade incentives to help electrify your home or vehicle
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Heat pumps – incentives for space heating and water heating, doubled if you are income qualified
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Electric vehicles – incentives up to two thousand dollars, plus free Level 2 charging at five sites around town
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Electric bikes – three hundred dollars for standard e-bikes, six hundred dollars for cargo e-bikes
- Weatherization, solar virtual net metering, smart thermostats, induction cooktops and more
Not sure where to start? Visit our website, get a free Home Energy Score or reach out to the Conservation Division at climate@ashlandoregon.gov or 541.488.5306.
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Water. Water. Water.
We are in a drought, and water is on everyone's mind. Here's what you need to know.
As the weather changes, so do our plants' watering needs. As you prepare your yard for colder weather and shorter days, you can take steps like reducing watering frequency and refreshing mulch around plants. To learn more and see our new water conservation rebates, visit ashlandoregon.gov/GetReady.
Every drop counts. Let's work together. Better Prepared. Better Together.
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Storytown Community Calendar
Have you checked it out yet?
Discover theatre, live music, foodie festivals, Mt. Ashland adventures and more – all for free. Visit Storytownashland.com, or download on Apple or Google Play, and start exploring or sharing Ashland events!
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Ashland City Council, Park & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and Citizens' Budget Committee meetings take place in Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street in Ashland. You can attend in person, stream live or watch on demand! More info below.
| | UPCOMING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS | | |
Study Session, September 14, 5:30 p.m.
- Council will discuss renewal of the Parks and Recreation fee and hear public comment. You are encouraged to comment in person at the meeting or submit a public comment online beforehand. The Parks fee survey will remain open through October 6, when Council will decide whether to renew the fee and whether to remove the sunset date. We want to hear from you, please take the survey at ashlandoregon.gov/ParksFee.
Regular Business Meeting, September 15, 6 p.m.
- The anticipated topics for the meeting include code changes for residential development application processes, financial policy changes, changes to the low income utility billing program and what the City plans to do with the $4M Asante payment.
| | Online public comment forms must be submitted by 10 a.m. the day of the meeting to be on record. If you wish to speak to Council in person at a meeting, you must fill out a Speaker Request form available in Council Chambers - do not use the online form. | | |
Did you know RVTV (Rogue Valley Television at Southern Oregon University) has an APP? Stream meetings live or watch on demand anywhere, anytime on your device. Enjoy fast access, captions and keyword search capability! More at ashlandoregon.gov/WatchMeeting.
Council, Park Commission, Planning Commission and Citizens' Budget Committee Meetings are viewable on the City's YouTube Channel. The meetings can be viewed on demand within 48 hours of the meeting by selecting the appropriate playlist.
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Stay informed and engaged with our local government
Our Public Meetings page, ashlandoregon.gov/PublicMeetings, provides easy access to City Council agendas and minutes, meeting schedules, public comment options and information about commissions and committees. Explore archived City records, learn about Oregon’s public meeting laws and more!
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Office Hours at The Grove
Meet your City Councilors during regular office hours now at The Grove. Office hours for the City Manager are by appointment.
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Curious about something? Just ask!
Let curiosity be your guide! Submit your question and see what others in the community are curious about.
Here is our latest Curiosity Question!
Q: Why are there two new roundabouts on Faith Street?
A: The roundabouts on Faith Street were installed as a traffic calming devices to slow cars down - they were requested by property owners and approved by the City's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). Learn more about TAC at ashlandoregon.gov/TAC.
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Ashland Fiber Network node upgrade project is underway
AFN has begun its node upgrade project, starting with node 21 near Ashland Mine Road. By mid-September, over 60 percent of Ashland will have access to symmetrical gigabit speeds!
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Fall for something new!
Our Parks & Recreation Department has something for everyone this fall! Explore the Fall PlayGuide, discover new activities and register today. Find your next activity.
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Coffee & Conversation — 2026 Schedule
Stop by, say hello, and chat with elected officials and City leadership at one of our upcoming gatherings:
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Wednesday, September 23, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Enders Shelter in Lithia Park (Councilor Bob Kaplan will be in attendance)
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Tuesday, October 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Knoll Golf Course Clubhouse (Mayor Graham and Councilor Bob Kaplan will be in attendance)
We hope to see you there! Any updates to the schedule, including who will be in attendance, will be posted at ashlandoregon.gov/Council.
| | Together around Town - Events & more! | | | | |
Welcome back ASD students!
Students in the Ashland School District (ASD) are back in session, which means more kids walking, biking and crossing our streets each day. A little extra care from all of us goes a long way: ease off the gas near schools, give crossing guards a friendly wave and a few extra seconds and remember it's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm out. If you're dropping off or picking up, try to avoid parking in crosswalks or bus loading zones so everyone can see and be seen. And if your student is walking or biking this year, it's worth taking a practice walk together to get comfortable with the route. Here's to a great year, let's look out for each other out there!
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Community Concerts in Lithia Park
This short film, part of our Accomplishments series, celebrates community concerts in Lithia Park through collaboration with Epic Ashland, Ashland Folk Collective and the Parks and Recreation Department. We are Better Together!
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Stay Connected with the City
From the City Manager’s Report to live streams to emergency alerts, stay connected to all things Ashland, because we’re always Better Together, ashlandoregon.gov/StayConnected.
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