Salem Receives Money to Develop, Improve City Parks

City parks staff plans to continue to look for alternate revenue sources to complete needed projects throughout the city park system

(SALEM) - The City of Salem has received a $155,000 Community Development Block Grant for the improvement of Northgate Park, located at 3260 Northgate Street N. T

The city`s Urban Development Department administers the CDBG program through funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Development Department.

Park improvements will include the installation of safety lighting, walking trails, picnic tables, an irrigated soccer field, a baseball diamond, and ADA accessibility to the playground area.

The project is scheduled to begin this Spring and be completed in June.

Wes Bennett Park, a 5.31 acre park, located at 2200 Baxter Road SE, has received approval from the city council to be developed in 2006 with funding from Parks System Development Charges. Once developed, the park will be a fully functional neighborhood park that will include playground equipment, benches, a drinking fountain, a splash fountain, a basketball court, lights, a picnic table, bike racks and paved trails.

River Road Park will soon be undergoing change as the River Road Wet Weather Treatment Facility, previously called the Peak Excess Flow Treatment Facility, is constructed in the park. The construction of this required water treatment facility will result in the closure of the park for approximately 18 months.

The Public Works Department is funding the park upgrades as they construct the facility, which is a new Federal requirement, that addresses the excess flow of sewage created by heavy rainfall. In the past, these "peak flows" have caused sewage systems to exceed their capacity and the unprocessed overflows went directly into rivers.

Once completed, the expanded use of the park will include a sport facilities, and increase use in other areas by including a pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle circulation system, along with two soccer fields, two tennis courts, multi-use courts, a tot and school age playground, a picnic shelter, a multi-use loop trail, an interactive water feature, a new restroom and janitorial building, security lighting, as well as a soccer field and picnic structure that can be reserved by groups.

Construction is expected to begin late this summer and be completed by late spring 2008.

The Park is expected to be CLOSED to the public during that time.

The city has alos received a $335,000 matching Local Government Grant for the development of Weathers Neighborhood Park located at 4188 Weathers Street NE.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department administers the Local Government Grant program through funding from the State Lottery Program.

The park will include a sheltered picnic area, multi-use court, open play area, meandering sidewalks, and two age-level play structures.

The project is scheduled to begin this Spring and be completed by late Fall 2006.

The city has received final approval for upgrading the existing shelter at Woodmansee Park.

The project will be funded by a Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.

The upgrades will include a sink, counter, water, electricity, picnic tables, benches, a drinking fountain and improved ADA access to the shelter.

Once funding has been finalized, construction is expected to begin.

The new shelter will allow groups to gather for activities.