24 parks in Salem receive bond-financed upgrades
This August, construction began on two Salem parks using bonds, allocating a total of $28.4 million to upgrade the parks.
Construction of new athletic field facilities at Sumpter School Park and River Road Park is currently underway and marks the start of a series of bond projects planned for Salem’s parks in the coming years.
In 2022, voters passed the $300 million Safety and Quality of Life Bond to fund infrastructure projects such as parks, roads, sidewalks, libraries and affordable housing over the next decade.
A total of $28.4 million was allocated to modernize the park.
Some may have already noticed one of the first improvements. The paving and widening of the pothole-ridden parking lot near the dog park at Minto-Brown Island Park was completed earlier this summer.
Bond work will continue in a total of 24 city parks through fiscal year 2032.
In the short term, Sumpter School Park in south Salem and River Road Park in north Salem will receive new multi-purpose sports fields.
Construction began earlier this month and is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Major improvements include new asphalt paving, installation of new tennis posts, nets and anchor straps, pickleball marking stripes, additional benches, trash receptacles and drinking water fountains, landscaping of improved walkways for better court accessibility, and new fencing.
Parking at River Road Park will be limited during construction. The parking spaces are scheduled to reopen in late November.
“The improvements to the athletic fields at River Road Park and Sumpter School Park are a testament to the positive impact this bond will have on our city’s recreational facilities,” city officials said in a statement about the project.
Which parks in Salem should be improved next?
The areas slated to receive bond funds are spread across the city. City officials said they used community outreach, public testimony during bond steering committee meetings, and equity and climate perspectives to determine which parks to target.
The park projects on the 2024 and 2025 list are located in southeast, southwest, east and north Salem.
Next year, the city will turn its attention to a new playground at Livingston Park, a new playground and sports field improvements at Morningside Park, improvements to the tennis and pickleball courts at Highland Park, improvements to the sports fields at Hoover Park and a new picnic shelter, and developments and sports field improvements at Geer Park.
Royal Oaks, McKay, Aldrich, Riverfront, Woodmansee, Brush College, Minto-Brown Island and Clark Creek parks further down the street will also get new playgrounds.
The city is already working on resident input and reviewing designs for proposed playgrounds. A conceptual sketch of a proposed new playground for Riverfront Park, presented to the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in March, includes inclusive play equipment such as swings and a spinner, a beaver dam and eagle’s nest climbing area, a play structure with slides and a musical play area.
The bond will also finance restroom facilities in McKay, Bush’s Pasture, Cascades Gateway, Wallace Marine and Northgate parks.
Sports fields will be upgraded in McKay and Orchard Heights parks. New fenced dog parks are planned in Geer and Fairview parks. New shelters will be built in Bush’s Pasture, Orchard Heights and McKay parks.
The Peace Plaza Park in front of City Hall will also receive a restored fountain, additional green spaces and a sculpture.
City officials said they are exploring the possibility of turning the fountain at Peace Plaza back on, but must first address potential health risks.
For questions, comments and news tips, please email reporter Whitney Woodworth at [email protected], call 503-910-6616 or follow X at @wmwoodworth.
