Plans to Link Major Parks Come to Fruition
Outdoor enthusiasts, rejoice.
Plans have been in the works for several years to connect Salem’s three largest parks – Wallace Marine Park‚ Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park – in order to create one long‚ linked outdoor recreation treasure. Now, those plans are steadily coming to fruition.
In 2008, the city secured a $1 million federal grant to convert the old Union Street railroad bridge into a bicycle and pedestrian pathway, with that bridge connecting Riverfront Park downtown with Wallace Marine Park in west Salem. Reconstruction of the bridge to accommodate pedestrian traffic was completed in early 2009, thereby saving the historic structure that was originally built in 1912 to span the Willamette River.
Besides the Union Street bridge, community leaders also are seeking funding for another pedestrian bridge that would allow Riverfront Park to connect with Minto-Brown Island Park. The overall vision is to connect the three large parks, thereby linking a total of 1‚036 acres of park land as well as 16 miles of trails that are adjacent to the river.
That ultimate linking would allow residents and visitors to walk‚ jog, bike or skate through some of the most scenic parts of Salem, all without having to cross or use a city street. It is all part of an overall 26-mile greenway project that will encourage parks to be used even more by pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized users.
It is no secret that Salem and the entire state are environmentally conscious, so the eventual connection between the three popular individual parks will further encourage the use of alternative transportation modes. It also trumpets healthy forms of exercise for both local and out-of-town visitors to the city.
