The Plaza in Ashland is the gateway to the city. It is a triangle that sits at the base of busy Main St. and provides and anchor for all that Ashland has to offer. From here you can see the top of the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, begin your stroll through the miles of plagrounds, trees and waterways that come together to make Litha Park, have a meal creekside at one of many established eateries, shop from dozens of diverse shops that line the main street or just sit on the grass and mingle with the locals. On any given day the plaza is home to locals and tourists alike, and here the old and young meet, all sharing a moment together. The holidays find the Plaza in full decor, complete with a manger scene and menora. The summers decorate it with dogs and loungers, and at night the "fire dancers" perform their amazing show. It is a truly special place.

The plaza is the main town gathering place. People use it as the most common point of reference to give directions. It's circular nature allows for optium trafic flow while respecting pedestrian walkways. It is where the Park, the Shakespeare Festival and the shops meet.

The plaza offers an excellent first impression. It is very clean and there are benches and grass for seating. Very safe. Very clean.

The users are very diverse. You'll find everyone from a mother with here stroller, to an elderly couple, to a goup of college students studying and a few hippies with their dogs. Used day and night by locals and tourists alike.

The plaza generates a high level of local pride. To the city, the plaza IS the city. It is the anchor.

The Plaza is an excelent microcosim of all that is wonderful about Ashland, a small oasis of a city with about 20 thousand people located mid-way between Portland Oregon and San Francisco California. The Plaza mimics the nature of its city. Ashland is a diverse place full of artists, thinkers, students, free spirts and bursting with life. The Tony award winning Shakespeare Festival brings an international tourist crowd and Southern Oregon University povides the student element. Ashland was named one of the top places to retire by Money magazine and draws an eclectic retired population. Plus, its excellent schools, community support for education and liviblity factors attract families as well. The plaza is where all of these groups meet to interact, rest and go on their way.