Ashland is filled with parks large and small. Some are kid friendly, some are dog friendly, and some have trails for walking, biking, hiking, or horseback riding. Wherever you go, you’re within a few blocks of a park (PDF maps of parks & trails available from Ashland Parks & Rec). Along with the parks, Ashland is home to a growing public art collection. Many of those art works are located in parks. Need a local trail resource? Ashland Trails has tons of photos and videos that look like they might be useful. The AllTrails app has detailed  info on 127 trails near Ashland.

• Ashland Creek Park: Located next to the community garden, this park has a large open space with walking path plus a playground suitable for small children. Creek access in a few spots, too.
• Ashland Ponds: I haven’t visited this one yet, but it’s supposed to be a bird sanctuary.
• Bear Creek Greenway: 18-mile paved multi-use trail connecting Ashland to Talent, Phoenix, Medford, and Central Point.
• Bluebird Park: This is the tiny little park downtown next to Caldera Taphouse, Taj, and Thai Pepper along the creek just north of North Main. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the public art corridor that runs behind Creekside Pizza, connecting the parking lot to North Main.
• Briscoe Geology Park: An educational walk on the old Briscoe School grounds. Not sure how it’s structured.
• Calle Guanajuato Park: THE place for dining al fresco in Ashland and the weekly Lithia Artisans Market each Saturday, don’t forget that the walking trail across the creek gives you an unobtrusive vantage point for people-watching. There are a few spots for sitting along the heavily shaded trail and enjoying the cool breeze on a hot summer day, and some hidden artworks along the way.
• Clay Street Park: I haven’t been to this one yet, but it’s an open-space, pesticide-free, dog-friendly park from what I can tell.
• Community Skate Park: Located across the street from Ashland Creek Park, this one’s geared toward the older kids.
• The “Dog” Park: And now the park that needs no introduction.
• Emigrant Lake: Camping and day use areas, with a water park, picnic areas, and sometimes boating if there’s enough water in the lake.
• Garden Way Park: Near SOU, there’s a large open space that used to be a popular spot for dorm residents to catch some rays when I was an undergrad (earning it the nickname “Fat Ladies’ Beach”). There’s plenty of recently upgraded playground equipment and other amenities, but I was losing daylight on my last visit and didn’t give it a thorough inspection.
• Garfield Park: This is the one with the splash park. The lawn was freshly redone in 2017. On East Main between Ashland Hills Inn and Ashland High School.
• Glenwood Park: A large open space with trees and picnic tables west of SOU near Mountain Ave.
• Hald Strawberry Park: I tried unsuccessfully to find this one recently. It definitely isn’t as well marked as most Ashland parks.
• Hunter Park: Lots of outdoor recreational facilities at this mid-sized park.
• Hyatt Lake/Howard Prairie Lake: A 20+ mile drive into the Cascades east of Ashland will take you over winding mountain roads to these peaceful lakes with fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking options. Hyatt Lake also has a pizza parlor/restaurant.
• Lithia Park: One of the defining features of Ashland. No trip to Ashland is complete without at least a brief stroll through the lower park. Designed by John McLaren of Golden Gate Park fame, the park follows Ashland Creek upstream from the plaza for a couple of miles and features two duck ponds, a playground, a bandshell (home to Ashland City Band every Thursday evening throughout the summer), tennis courts, and various gardens, trails, and picnic spaces.
• Mount Ashland: Not technically a park, the local ski resort is open for hiking, biking, and taking in the beautiful views during the summer.
• North Mountain Park/Nature Center/Riverwalk: I love this spot! At first glance it just looks like a large, well-maintained recreation area for organized sports plus a bike path. On the north end you’ll find a nature center that’s fascinating for all ages, with numerous small gardens, a Native American village display, aquatic wildlife, and a river walk along Bear Creek. Check their schedule for educational programs available.
• Railroad Park: A quiet spot on A Street in the Railroad District along the bike path. There’s a small play area, basketball court, and open grassy area with some trees. Look for the historic markers commemorating the “Golden Spike” joining the Central Pacific’s Siskiyou Route connecting Oregon and California, the last step in networking the entire continental US freight and passenger rails, and the Applegate Trail.
• Scenic Park: Small community park between the hospital and The Breadboard with a scenic view of the valley and hills.
• Sherwood Park: There’s a tiny little park hidden behind the Ashland Street fire hall. You probably won’t have reason to spend time here, but at least check out the sculpture in front of the fire hall.
• Siskiyou Mountain Park​/Oredson Todd Woods: Extensive system of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.
• Triangle Park: If you’re looking for a shady spot near the AHS campus and ABC Research Center that’s close enough to pick up the ABC wi-fi signal, look no further than Triangle Park. It also serves as the entry point for the 4th of July Parade.