After months of stadium discussions and a feasibility study, Medford and the Eugene Emeralds have ended plans for a potential move to Hawthorne Park.
AT A GLANCE
Decision: Eugene Emeralds will not relocate to Medford
Announced: November 13, 2026
Proposed Location: Hawthorne Park, downtown Medford
Alternative Site: Harry & David Field
Project: Potential Minor League Baseball stadium
Feasibility Study: Up to $500,000, shared equally by Medford Urban Renewal Agency and the Emeralds
Key Concerns: Project costs, community impacts, and construction timeline
Next Steps: Emeralds will focus on staying in Eugene; Medford will continue exploring downtown redevelopment opportunities
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Eugene Emeralds will not be moving to Medford, ending months of discussions over a proposed minor league baseball stadium that divided residents and raised questions about the future of Hawthorne Park.
“We sincerely appreciate the time and effort the Mayor, City Council and City staff dedicated to exploring this opportunity.
While there are still important questions to address and challenges with the timeline, we believe the best path forward is to focus our efforts on keeping the Emeralds in Eugene.”
The City of Medford announced Friday, November 13, that both parties have agreed not to pursue the stadium project following a November 12 City Council study session and subsequent discussions.
Instead, Emeralds ownership intends to focus on keeping the team in Eugene, where the franchise has been seeking a long-term stadium solution that meets Minor League Baseball facility requirements.
The decision brings an end to a proposal that had generated considerable interest and debate in Medford, particularly over whether Hawthorne Park should be redeveloped into a professional baseball stadium or preserved for its existing recreational uses.
Proposed Hawthorne Park Stadium: An aerial architectural rendering shows the proposed Minor League Baseball stadium at Hawthorne Park in downtown Medford. The project, considered as a potential new home for the Eugene Emeralds, will not move forward following discussions between the team and city officials in November 2026. Rendering: City of Medford.
During Thursday's study session, councilors reviewed findings from a feasibility study examining a potential stadium at Hawthorne Park and comparing the site with the existing Harry & David Field at Lithia & Driveway Fields.
According to the city, council members expressed concerns about construction costs, impacts on residents, and whether the project could be completed within the timeline required to satisfy Minor League Baseball standards.
Following those discussions, the city and team ownership determined that moving forward was no longer practical.
Hawthorne Park Stadium Site Plan: A conceptual site plan shows how a proposed baseball stadium would have occupied the northern portion of Hawthorne Park, with remaining park space, parking, and pedestrian areas to the south. The proposal was evaluated as part of a feasibility study before the project was discontinued. Rendering: City of Medford.
“We sincerely appreciate the time and effort the Mayor, City Council and City staff dedicated to exploring this opportunity,” said Emeralds owner DG Elmore. “While there are still important questions to address and challenges with the timeline, we believe the best path forward is to focus our efforts on keeping the Emeralds in Eugene.”
Elmore also thanked Medford officials for their cooperation throughout the process.
The potential relocation first gained attention in 2025 as the Emeralds explored alternatives to their current home in Eugene.
For Medford, the possibility of attracting a professional baseball franchise became part of a broader discussion about downtown revitalization and the proposed Creekside Quarter development.
Supporters envisioned a new stadium bringing visitors, entertainment, private investment, and additional activity to downtown businesses.
Cover Image / Proposed Baseball Stadium: An architectural rendering illustrates the grandstand and playing field envisioned for a new Minor League Baseball stadium in downtown Medford. The Emeralds and city officials have ended discussions about relocating the team to Medford. Rendering: City of Medford.
Others questioned whether replacing much of Hawthorne Park with a stadium was an appropriate use of public land and potential urban renewal funding.
The park currently serves residents through playgrounds, sports courts, dog areas, and other public recreation amenities. Preliminary stadium designs showed that many existing park improvements would need to be replaced or relocated.
Some residents also favored exploring Harry & David Field, already home to the Medford Rogues, rather than constructing a new facility at Hawthorne Park.
In June, the Medford City Council approved a consulting contract of up to $500,000 for design and feasibility work. The cost was divided between the Medford Urban Renewal Agency and the Emeralds, with each contributing $250,000.
The study examined whether a new stadium could be developed at Hawthorne Park and whether Harry & David Field could be adapted to meet professional baseball requirements.
Proposed Stadium Experience: An architectural rendering depicts the spectator seating, concourse, and baseball field envisioned for the Eugene Emeralds' potential home in Medford. The planned stadium will not be built following the decision to discontinue the relocation proposal. Rendering: City of Medford.
The latest findings brought those questions back before councilors Thursday, but the discussions ultimately ended without an agreement to advance the project.
Medford City Councilor Kevin Stine expressed disappointment that the opportunity would not move forward while acknowledging the broader conversations it generated.
“I was excited about the potential this project had to bring new energy and investment to Medford,” Stine said. “While I’m disappointed it won’t move forward, I’m encouraged by the conversations it started and look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to strengthen our local economy and enhance quality of life in Medford.”
For the Emeralds, the announcement does not mean a new stadium agreement has been reached in Eugene. Rather, the team is shifting its attention back to finding a workable solution in its longtime home city.
Downtown Medford Stadium Concept: An aerial rendering illustrates the proposed stadium alongside Interstate 5 and the redesigned portions of Hawthorne Park. The project was considered as part of broader downtown redevelopment discussions before the Emeralds decided to focus on remaining in Eugene. Rendering: City of Medford.
Medford officials say the end of the stadium proposal will not end efforts to encourage investment and redevelopment downtown.
The city intends to continue pursuing economic development opportunities through initiatives such as Medford Urban Renewal Agency 2.0, which is examining potential infrastructure improvements, redevelopment projects, and private investment opportunities.
With the Emeralds no longer pursuing a move south, the immediate question of converting Hawthorne Park into a minor league stadium has been put to rest.
The larger discussion about downtown development, public investment, and the future of Hawthorne Park remains part of Medford's ongoing planning efforts.
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