Four neighborhood parks to get upgraded playgrounds, pickleball courts this summer
This summer, four neighborhood parks in Salem will get upgrades including new pickleball courts, water fountains, and playground equipment among other amenities.
Improvements at Hoover, Highland, Livingston, and Morningside parks are scheduled thanks to the infrastructure bond tax measure passed by Salem voters in 2022.
These specific projects were picked with guidance from a city steering committee, a news release from the city said.
“We would like to again thank our voters for supporting the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond and thank our community members for their input in this process,” said Salem City Councilor Micki Varney in a statement. She also serves as a liaison for the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
“Maintaining our public infrastructure is essential to a thriving, resilient and welcoming Salem, and community input is an essential part of that investment. These projects in particular reflect what our parks staff have heard from neighbors over time — the desire for safe, inclusive and relevant spaces to play and gather that will continue to serve generations of residents,” Varney said.
Here are the planned improvements:
- Hoover Park will undergo significant upgrades including new facilities for basketball and soccer replacing the unusable tennis courts. The renovations will cost $805,000.
- Highland Park improvements include a new tennis and pickleball court, fencing, lights and surfacing. Two dedicated pickleball courts will be added while maintaining one full-sized tennis court. The Highland Park improvements will cost $555,000.
- Livingston Park‘s playground expansion will make room for new equipment and will include accessibility improvements. New seating areas for parents will also be added. The work will cost $404,000.
- Morningside Park improvements include new playground equipment like slides, swings, and play structures. New paths and a plaza for existing picnic tables are also expected. The multi-sport athletic court at the park will be reconstructed and made larger with new fencing, basketball hoops, tennis posts and net, and pickleball striping. A new drinking fountain will also be installed near the court. Improvements at Morningside Park will cost $783,000.
More information on city park upgrades is available on the city’s website here.
Improvements at Geer Park are also under construction this year. They include a new dog park with separate fenced areas for energetic and timid dogs, improvements to two natural grass soccer fields, new artificial turf in two baseball infields, and a new reservable picnic shelter. A large skatepark at Geer Park is also in the works.
Starting next year McKay Park will get two new soccer fields, reservable picnic shelters, and work will begin toward installing permanent restrooms. Also next year, Riverfront Park will be expanded and the park’s playground will be renovated.
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.
