Oregon Hills Park is a 10-acre municipal green space at 6001 E. McAndrews Road in the quiet residential East Medford foothills of Medford, Oregon. Opened in 2013 by the City of Medford Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department, the park was engineered from the ground up around ecological sustainability, pairing active neighborhood recreation with natural stormwater management, solar-powered infrastructure, and restored Southern Oregon habitat. Visitors and local families come to walk paved perimeter paths, watch children explore nature-inspired play zones, play basketball and tennis, and relax beside a year-round creek framed by native Rogue Valley flora.
What to Expect at Oregon Hills Park
Unlike older municipal parks dominated by high-water turfgrass, Oregon Hills Park balances open recreational lawns with bioswales, rain gardens, and low-water native plant communities adapted to Southern Oregon’s dry summers. A natural year-round stream runs through the grounds, crossed by a pedestrian footbridge that links the eastern parking lot to the central lawn and sport courts. Along the water course, rock-lined channels and native sedges, rushes, and Oregon white oaks filter runoff from the surrounding East Medford hillsides before it enters the local watershed. Pavers in the parking area and walkways are arranged to reduce impervious runoff, while the main group picnic pavilion is topped with photovoltaic solar panels that offset electrical lighting demands across the park.
For active recreation, the park packs a full roster of neighborhood amenities into a clean, easily navigable layout with sweeping views toward Roxy Ann Peak and the Cascade foothills. Families gravitate toward the modern playground, where traditional slides and climbing frames are supplemented by faux-rock boulders and balance elements designed to encourage imaginative outdoor play. Just steps away, multi-use courts accommodate basketball and tennis players, and a paved loop path allows walkers, joggers, and kids on scooters to circle the park without crossing traffic. Additional facility details and pavilion reservation rules are published on the City of Medford Oregon Hills Park page.
- Solar-Powered Picnic Pavilion: The central covered shelter incorporates rooftop solar panels that generate clean electricity for park lighting, while housing shaded picnic tables and group gathering space available for advance reservation.
- Year-Round Stream & Bioswales: A natural creek courses through the park alongside engineered stormwater treatment swales planted with native Rogue Valley grasses, wildflowers, and riparian shrubs.
- Innovative Children’s Playground: The play area combines climbing structures, swings, and slides with tactile boulder scrambles and nature-themed play features suited to both toddlers and school-age children.
- Tennis & Basketball Courts: Hard-surface sport courts sit on the flat upper terrace of the park, providing free, first-come, first-served play for neighborhood athletes.
- Paved Perimeter Walking Loop: A smooth concrete pathway winds around the open lawn, playground, and stream crossings, offering a step-free route for morning strolls, strollers, and leashed dogs.
Oregon Hills Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6001 E. McAndrews Rd, Medford, OR 97504 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Medford Foothills |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission ($); optional pavilion rental fee via city parks department |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site paved parking lot off E. McAndrews Rd; RVTD Route 26 stops approximately 1.5 miles west near Foothill Rd |
| Official Website & Phone | medfordoregon.gov | +1 541-774-2400 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Oregon Hills Park sits at the eastern edge of Medford where E. McAndrews Road climbs into the foothills, arriving by car or bicycle is the most direct option. Turn directly off E. McAndrews Road into the free on-site parking lot, which includes designated van-accessible disabled parking stalls right beside the main pathway. Morning visits between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM are ideal during July and August, when afternoon temperatures in the Rogue Valley frequently top 90°F and the open playground structures warm up in the sun. Spring brings green hillsides, rushing water in the creek bed, and blooming native perennials, while October delivers crisp air and vivid autumn foliage along the stream corridor. The park is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible via level concrete sidewalks, a step-free pedestrian bridge over the creek, accessible restroom facilities, and curbless transitions to the picnic shelter.
Pair a morning stop at Oregon Hills Park with other East Medford outdoor landmarks and culinary stops within a 5- to 10-minute drive. Just 2.5 miles southeast via Foothill Road, Prescott Park spans 1,740 acres surrounding 3,576-foot Roxy Ann Peak, offering rugged dirt trails and panoramic views stretching to Mount McLoughlin and Mount Shasta. Wine enthusiasts can drive five minutes south to RoxyAnn Winery on Hillcrest Road, where tasting flights and picnic lawns occupy the historic 1908 Honor Barn of Hillcrest Orchard. For coffee, pastries, or lunch afterward, head two miles west down E. McAndrews Road to the village-style shopping plazas near North Phoenix Road and Biddle Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours at Oregon Hills Park and when is the best time to visit?
Oregon Hills Park is open seven days a week from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the most comfortable temperatures during Southern Oregon’s warm summer months, while spring and fall afternoons provide mild weather for playground visits and court games.
Is there an admission fee or reservation requirement at Oregon Hills Park?
Entry to Oregon Hills Park, use of the playground and sport courts, and on-site parking are completely free. Individual picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, though groups hosting birthday parties or community cookouts can reserve the solar-powered pavilion in advance through the Medford Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department at +1 541-774-2400.
How much time should you budget for a visit to Oregon Hills Park?
Most visitors spend between 45 and 90 minutes at the park. That window allows plenty of time to walk the perimeter path, cross the creek bridge to examine the native stormwater plantings, and let kids play on the climbing equipment or shoot hoops.
Is Oregon Hills Park accessible and dog-friendly?
Yes, the park features ADA-compliant parking spaces, wide concrete loop walkways, accessible restrooms, and step-free access into the covered picnic pavilion. Leashed dogs are welcome on all paved paths and open turf areas, with pet waste stations positioned along the walking loop.
When planning your Medford travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Medford, pair this stop with standout local spots including DANCIN Vineyards, Kerbyville Museum, Don Jones Memorial Park, and RoxyAnn Winery (1.3 km away).
