The small town of Ashland, Oregon commissioned McLaren to design Lithia Park in 1914, just a few years after the park was initially established in 1908. Still considered the crown jewel of Ashland, the park covers 100 acres (0.4 km²), extending from the center of town (The Plaza) up Ashland Creek to the foothills of Mount Ashland. It includes two ponds, a Japanese garden, tennis courts, two public greens, a bandshell (outdoor stage) and miles of hiking trails. The name Lithia comes from the natural mineral water in Ashland, Lithia water. The world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival now borders the lower portion of the park. The surrounding watershed, which supplies drinking water and hydroelectricity to the city, also includes miles of mountain biking trails. The park is the start and finish for the annual Spring Thaw mountain biking race for pros and amateurs.