And skateboarders rolling along the steps of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in town Tuesday have one thing to say about the project: Hurry up.

"It'll be nice," said Zack Lewis, 17, of Medford, who has gotten several tickets for skateboarding. "Then we won't have to skate in places like this."

The skateboard park, which is expected to see construction begin next week, is just one of several new projects at Bear Creek Park.

"I think it's going to become a centerpiece for the whole valley," said Jerry Spears, who is helping to get an asphalt hockey rink built for in-line skaters. "The whole family can go there."

Since last fall, the city has opened a fenced dog park at the southern end of the park. About a month ago, the city opened a 1,200-foot-long dirt BMX track. The skateboard park will be 24,400 square feet -- double the size of any other skateboard park in Southern Oregon.

These, and the rink, are in addition to the other attractions already in place such as the amphitheater, tennis courts and playground structure built in years past.

"Because of the size of the park, it can offer the diverse recreation that you could not necessarily get at the smaller community parks," said Greg Jones, Medford Parks and Recreation Department director.

The city didn't plan on offering the variety of recreational activities at Bear Creek Park. But because of its size (it measures 101 acres, followed by Fichtner-Mainwaring Park at a distant second with 32 acres) and its central location, the park keeps getting these larger projects, Jones said.

Spears said he hopes the changes will keep kids out of trouble.

"I wish I was a kid again," Spears said. "There's going to be something for everyone to do."

Stan Moore, who owns Moore's Bicycle Shop in Medford and who helped get the newest BMX dirt track built, agreed.

"I think it's going to give bored kids something to do, some new activities," Moore said.

Moore also helped get the older dirt track built, which was near the fire station at the intersection of Highland Drive and Siskiyou Boulevard. It was bulldozed last summer to make way for the new skateboard park and possible future development such as a community center or a swimming pool.

The skateboard park has been in the works for several years. It became closer to reality last month when the city's Budget Committee decided to give $90,000 to finance the arena.

Jones said the city doesn't have many more plans for the park. He said the city would like to develop pathways and trails on the west side of Bear Creek in the park.

But right now, many kids would settle for what's coming up. Kids such as 16-year-old Carlos Craig, another skateboarder spotted at Sacred Heart.