City News, COMMUNITY

$40,000 in city grants awarded to 7 Salem parks

The city of Salem has awarded over $40,000 in grant funding to neighborhood park projects. The work will include replacing a walking path wrecked by a fallen tree, developing a mural and buying soccer goals.

The Salem Parks Improvement Fund, established in 2006, provides up to $60,000 in funding each year to projects proposed by city neighborhood associations.

This year, seven projects received grants ranging from $3,500 to $7,500 for improvements expected by 2024.

Morningside Park received the largest estimate at $7,500, to replace a walking path with a multi-use path. 

Muriel Meyer, the parks chair for the Morningside Neighborhood Association, led the effort for her park.

She said that a tree fell last year, uprooting in sections of the path and making neighbors concerned about tripping hazards on the narrow asphalt trail. 

The proposed replacement path would have gravel and look similar to the recently installed path at Fairview Park, also led by Meyer.

Having long wanted an update to the Morningside path, Meyer said she now expects it within the year.

“I keep thinking, somebody else wanted me to have that grant, because the tree helped secure the fact that that was not safe,” she said, laughing.

Jennifer Kellar, the city’s parks and recreation services manager, said her department needs to buy park amenities for the projects, which should arrive within 90 days of ordering.

Some projects, like the walking path, will require better weather and ground conditions, likely in late spring or early summer, she said.

Here are the upcoming SPIF-funded projects, provided by Kellar:

  • Morningside Park – $7,500 to replace a walking path with a multi-use path. 
  • McRae Park – $3,500 to engage with the community to develop a mural.
  • Secor Park – $6,500 to install a shade structure over playground equipment. 
  • Bailey Ridge Park – $6,450 for a bench and message kiosk next to the little library. 
  • Edgewater Park – $7,000 for two picnic tables. 
  • Fisher Road Park – $6,500 to install two large soccer goals.
  • Bush Park – $3,500 for new plant identification signs in the Old Tarter Rose Garden.

Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.

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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.