Ashland Parks Foundation

03/23/2026

https://ashlandparksfoundation.org/

03/16/2026

Reconstruction to begin this spring!
While the estimates to restore the fountain and surrounding area came in at nearly double the amount raised during the fundraising campaign undertaken by the Ashland Parks Foundation, we were determined to find a solution.

A small group of local citizens (builders, architects, planners) got together to form a Steering Committee dedicated to renovating the fountain within the budget previously created. The Construction Steering Committee also consulted with local experts to determine how to get the work done in a cost-effective manner.

One of the things we learned during those discussions, was that when the fountain was originally made in Italy for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, it was most likely made to be temporary. George Kramer, local historian and historic preservation specialist, shared with us that the marble used for the fountain was likely of inferior quality. That is likely the reason why it has not withstood our weather conditions well.

When the fountain was last restored in the 1980s, many pieces had to be recreated, including the boy and goose at the top, the upper pedestal and both bowls. The fountain that currently sits on this site contains only some of the original parts.

With these facts in mind, the Ashland Parks Foundation, upon the recommendation of our Construction Steering Committee and the support of our plan from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), is having an exact replica of the fountain made, using marble quarried in Vermont. This should ensure that the fountain will last for centuries in our Southern Oregon climate. Two local sculptors (Jack Langford and Kevin Christman) will be carving the new fountain in their Phoenix, Oregon studio and we expect this replicated fountain to last decades longer than any restoration of the current 100-year-old fountain.

In addition, Outlier Construction, a reputable local company that is well known throughout the valley, will be in charge of all the construction work on site: electrical and plumbing systems, concrete and other site work that needs to be done. This project will be a total reconstruction of the entire facility in honor of the beauty of the original fountain, terrace and stairs.

Our goal is to begin this spring (weather permitting) and to have the project completed by the fall of this year. All of this work will be done with the funds we’ve raised, THANKS TO YOU!. We intend to spend the full $800k in our local Southern Oregon community. And upon completion, we will have a beautiful, long-lasting marble fountain and a site worthy of its splendor.

While this direction is slightly different from what we originally anticipated, we are confident that this is the best path forward for the fountain, Lithia Park, and our community.

Thank you for your support and your trust. We are so very grateful to all of you.

10/20/2025

We're super excited this program got rolling!

05/27/2025

11/14/2024

Thank you Janet Eastman for the wonderful article!

Now, Ashland Parks and Recreation hopes to restore the beloved landmark, make the site more accessible and have a reserve for ongoing preservation work.

10/04/2024

Thank you EVERYONE!

09/20/2024

Friends, we’re only $13,000 away from reaching our fundraising goal and completing the campaign! We’ve raised 98% of the funding needed to restore our beautiful fountain and repair and upgrade the site. Let’s get this done!

09/19/2024

Thank you Oregon Cultural Trust! The Ashland Parks Foundation was just awarded $21,143 to restore the Butler-Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park! We’re so grateful to be the recipient of this generous donation. This takes us one step closer to completing the campaign, and starting the restoration process.

09/17/2024

Lithia Park was created in 1911 and the Butler-Perozzi Fountain was installed 5 years later. Take a look at these fantastic photos from long ago.

08/31/2024

96%…that’s how close we are!
Can you help us reach the goal?

08/11/2024

We’ve raised 94% of our fundraising goal!👏👏👏A $20,000 grant from Restore Oregon, a restoration program of the State Historic Preservation Office, made this possible, along with YOU, our local supporters. Help us reach 100% and get started on the restoration work! Visit ashlandparksfoundation.org to make a tax-deductible contribution today.

07/15/2024

Celebrating in Ashland’s July 4th Parade! Thanks to your support, we’re 93% on the way toward reaching our goal!