New upgrades, skatepark coming to Geer Community Park in fall 2025
Geer Community Park will get a new skatepark, dog park, splash pad, sports fields and other updates following the Salem City Council’s recent approval of funding.
The 4-acre community park is located on the east side of Salem, and currently has a bike trail, two soccer fields and two baseball fields.
Construction will start in March and city officials expect the work to finish in October. The soccer fields will be closed in the fall to allow new sod to become established.
The project was designed in 2022 and initially had a budget of $3.2 million, but the developers estimated last fall that an additional $1.44 million was needed to complete the project on time.
The increase is driven by rising costs of construction equipment, changes in the final park design and additional contracts with developers, a city spokesperson said.
The total project budget, now at $4.64 million, is funded through public bonds, charges to private developers, and a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
The city has not approved the use of its general fund, which is experiencing a significant deficit, for this project.
It is among the projects funded by a $300 million infrastructure package approved by voters in 2024, which also includes transportation safety improvements and renovations for other parks and roads.
The new 20,000 square foot skatepark is being built in response to community input from 2021 and 2022, and aims to support “goals for a more livable and inclusive community,” according to a press release from the city.
Other updates include a paved pathway, picnic shelter, storm drains, bike racks, drinking fountains and a small plaza with native plants. The existing soccer and baseball fields also will be renovated.
Paul Brothers Inc. of Boring, a company that specializes in public works in Oregon and Washington, is the main contractor tasked with the design and construction.
Contact reporter Alan Cohen: [email protected].
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Alan Cohen is an intern at the Salem Reporter and an undergraduate at Willamette University. Born and raised in Spain, he has also been involved in student journalism for three years, and is passionate about bringing a voice to underrepresented communities through ethical reporting.
