The Jacksonville Woodlands Association is caring for the special places that have been saved by the citizens of Historic Jacksonville, Oregon so that all may experience our city's gold rush heritage.

In 1989, alarmed by the prospect of development destroying the scenic wooded hillsides surrounding their National Historic Landmark City, the citizens of Jacksonville, Oregon rallied to form the non-profit Jacksonville Woodlands Association. Since then the Woodlands Association has preserved 22 parcels of forested open space (320 acres) and has constructed 18 miles of connecting interpretive and recreational trails surrounding 70% of the town's historic district. The Association's preservation efforts have attracted national attention and has set the standard for community land preservation in Oregon. Maps of Jacksonville’s extensive trail system are available at the city’s information center, various trail heads or by contacting the JWA.

Also, within one mile of Jacksonville's National Historic District is Forest Park with its 30 miles of hiking and biking trails.
The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy holds seven conservation easements on lands owned by the City of Jacksonville that are part of the Jacksonville Woodlands and Trails system. They permanently protect the natural setting so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy the peaceful and historic setting right in the town of Jacksonville. The Woodlands provide valuable habitat for the endangered lily, Fritillaria Gentneri, and host a number of other native plants and animals. Pacific madrone, California black oak, ponderosa pine and Douglas fir dominate the land, along with several old-growth whiteleaf Manzanita. Small perennial streams run through the Woodlands supporting Oregon ash and some impressive, large Oregon white oaks and California black oaks.

Within the larger 255-acre park, you can enjoy 18 miles of well kept, all-weather trails with benches and interpretive displays outlining the colorful history and diversity of wildflowers and habitats. Brochures and maps can be found at various trail-heads. See below for a downloadable park map.



HISTORY

For over 15 years, the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy has worked with the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Woodlands Association to safeguard land set aside for use by the public. Seven properties are conserved and include: the Beekman Woods (20 acres); the Britt Woods (70 acres); Rich Gulch (10 acres); the Beebe property (7 acres); the Burkhalter property (7.5 acres); the Quarry (9 acres); and the Grove (6 acres).

Each property has its own conservation story, such as the Grove, which has a long history in Jacksonville. During the Gold Rush years of the 1850s, early settlers used the area as a semi-permanent tent city. It was later purchased by Jacksonville pioneer and prominent banker C. C. Beekman. His daughter later sold the property to the University of Oregon, which sold the property to Dr. James Woods in the early 1990s. In 2006, with assistance from the Trust for Public Lands, the property was conveyed to the City of Jacksonville to become a park for public use and enjoyment.

The vitality of the park system in Jacksonville is dependent on a number of agencies and organizations (the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, the City of Jacksonville and SOLC) working together to create, annually review, and revise a General Management Plan for the parks. Community volunteers maintain the trails and bridges and support efforts through events like the annual Woodlands Hike-A-Thon. These parks provide abundant outdoor opportunities for residents of Jacksonville and the many visitors who use the extensive trail system.
Southern Oregon has become a popular mountain biking destination thanks to the fun trail network on Mount Ashland. The entire region is filled with amazing potential for riding terrain, and thanks to income from single track tourism, other parts of the region are being developed as riding destinations. One of these is located just up the freeway from Ashland, near the city of Jacksonville. Although the trail network is still being developed, if you’re looking to riding something different, Jacksonville Forest Park is a nice addition to the trail options in the Rogue Valley.

Located approximately 30 minutes north of Ashland, Jacksonville’s 1,100-acre Forest Park offers 15 miles of grand vistas, hiking and biking trails, small creeks and remnants of old gold mines.The park is constructed and maintained by Jacksonville City Parks Department. Much of the credit can also be attributed to local mountain bikers in the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association, who have been working with the BLM and City of Jacksonville to create a mountain bike park in and above Jacksonville’s Forest Park. Out of the 17 trails listed on the trail map, 9 of those are open to bicycles.

Local

Eat and Drink

• Opposition Brewing Company - Medford (4.0 miles) - At Opposition Brewing, we strive every day to craft the best beer possible - made simply and without...
• EdenVale Winery - Medford (6.1 miles) - Welcome to Rogue Valley's premier winery. We are located in the heart of southern Oregon, amid t...
• Weisinger Family Winery - ASHLAND (18.4 miles) - Established in 1988 by John Weisinger in Ashland, Oregon, Weisinger Family Winery produces limited p...

See and Do

• Jacksonville Woodlands Association Jacksonville (0.0 miles) - The Jacksonville Woodlands Association is caring for the special places that have been saved by the ...
• Jacksonville Woodlands Association Jacksonville (0.0 miles) - The Jacksonville Woodlands Association is caring for the special places that have been saved by the ...
• Britt Music & Arts Festival Jacksonville (0.5 miles) - Britt Music & Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, is the Pacific Northwest's premier outdo...
• Segway of Jacksonville Jacksonville (0.7 miles) - Segway Tours 3 Ways to Have Fun! Embark on a guided tour through the Gold Rush town of Jacksonville. G...
• Rogue Gallery & Art Center Medford (4.8 miles) - Founded in 1960, the Rogue Gallery & Art Center is a non-profit visual art center serving the Rogue ...