The city of Salem just scored a $770,000 state grant for an upgrade of the heavily used 26-year-old playground at Riverfront Park beginning in 2026.
The competitive grant was awarded to the city by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Rob Romanek, parks planning manager for the city, said the upgrades to Salem’s most popular park will benefit locals and visitors alike.
“We have lots of playgrounds in the city and I think it is the most used out of all the ones in our park system,” Romanek said. “If we are going to go the extra mile on a playground, what better place?”
The city will use the state money toward an estimated project cost of $1.8 million.
Salem will pay the remaining $1.1 million using the 2022 infrastructure bond voters approved, and city park system development charges, according to a news release Thursday.
Romanek said replacing the aging equipment is necessary given how many people use the park on a regular basis.
“It’s been used so much and so heavily for so many years it is in really rough shape,” Romanek said. “If we didn’t have this opportunity it would be a maintenance nightmare for us and unfortunately at some point we would have to close it. We are hoping to avoid all that and we are thinking positive.”
Some possible new features on the playground include a wheelchair-accessible route at the top of the play structure, a quiet area shaped like an eagle’s nest for children with autism, a universally accessible merry-go-round, and a turf hillside designed for rolling.
“We want to make sure that most children are able to use most things and can interact with other children in a way that it won’t even be relevant that they have a disability,” Romanek said. “It doesn’t matter what your abilities are, you are able to engage with other children, and socialize and have fun, and play on the cool stuff on the playground. There’s not just one or two elements and that’s it. Most things will be available to you.”
The playground will be inspired by the Willamette River and local wildlife and could include features like a beaver dam shaped climbing area. The quiet eagle’s nest space is meant to evoke the nesting eagles that live at Minto-Brown Island Park.
Another major change in addition to the upgrades and expansion of the playground will be the rerouting of the park path next to the play area. The park path cuts through the play area and runs the risk of a runner or a cyclist colliding with a wayward toddler, Romanek said.
Romanek said over the next six months, the city will engage the community through focus groups and events to get input on design and playground features.
“By no means are we done, this is just a preliminary concept and we are going to be working with the community to refine it,” Romanek said.
At this point the plans call for new shade trees and an expanded picnic area next to the playground.
“This project is a top priority because it aligns with our city’s commitment to creating inclusive and accessible spaces for all residents,” Salem Mayor Chris Hoy said in a presentation to the state parks commission. “Upgrading this playground will ensure that children of all abilities – and all ages – can enjoy safe and engaging play experiences.”
Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.
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Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
