Salem, Ore. — Drivers in southeast Salem should be aware of road closures on Turner Road SE, south of Kuebler Road and north of Deer Park Road SE. Work will begin June 12 and is expected to take 2 weeks.
During construction, northbound traffic will be detoured to Deer Park Road SE continuing to the Aumsville Highway. Southbound traffic on Turner Road will remain open south of Kuebler Road to help reduce the impact to the public. Residents in the City of Turner are encouraged to use Delany Road to Commercial Street as an alternate route to Salem.
The construction is part of the new 900,000 square-foot Dollar General Development currently under construction and is necessary to connect the development to new water and sewer infrastructure in the area. The Dollar General property will be a dry goods and cold storage distribution, dispatch, and administration center for the company.
You can find more information on current road construction projects within the City of Salem on our website.
Salem, Ore. — Drivers in south Salem should be aware of road closure on Madrona Avenue SE, west of Commercial Street SE to Neef Avenue SE on June 10 and 11, 2023.
Beginning at 7 a.m., Saturday, June 10, traffic will be detoured from Madrona Avenue SE to Ratcliff Drive SE or Salem Heights Avenue SE. Local access to residents near Hillview Drive SE and Neef Avenue SE will be allowed. Local business access will only be available from the Commercial Street SE entrance.
The closure will allow contractors to complete a full street mill and paving project on Madrona Ave SE. Flaggers will be on site to help direct traffic around the impacted area. Please be cautious while driving in the area and obey all temporary traffic signs.
You can find more information on current road construction projects within the City of Salem on our website.
Salem, Ore. – It’s finally here – Salem’s biggest season of fun! Pick your favorites from the 12 choices – and many sub-choices below.
1. Outdoor Concerts & Movies
- First Friday Free Concerts start this Friday, June 2, at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.
- Make Music Salem, Wednesday, June 21 at the Amphitheater, for people who love music and the joyous sense of community it can foster.
- Movies in the Park is on Fridays this year starting June 30 at around 9:30 p.m. at the Amphitheater.
2. Entertainment & Enrichment
- Capital Pride, daily events throughout June, check out their calendar.
- World Beat Festival, Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25, Riverfront Park. This year the event is celebrating the Philippines and features music, dance, food, and traditions of more than 70 nations and cultures.
- 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, Tuesday, July 4, at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, featuring chart-topping band, Alabama.
- 74th Annual Salem Art Fair and Festival, Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 23, at Bush’s Pasture Park
3. Athletes on the Move
- STRIDE 5K/10K Run/Walk Events: These fun runs throughout the spring, summer, and fall, continue the morning of June 10, through Riverfront, Wallace and Minto-Brown Island Parks.
- Ironman 70.3 Oregon, Sunday, July 23, brings top triathletes to the trails, roads, and waters of Salem.
- Hoopla XXIV, Tuesday, July 25, through Saturday, July 30, Downtown Salem revs up with this exciting 3-on-3 basketball tourney.
4. City Celebrations
- Salem Service Day, Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Riverfront Park. Formerly Public Works Day, this year’s event features departments from all over the City and has a new name. Enjoy games, activities, booths, free hotdogs, and demonstrations of City services.
- National Night Out, Tuesday, August 1, brings neighborhoods together to celebrate the spirit of police-community partnerships with more than 75 block parties across the city each year.
- Viva Salem! All United, Saturday, September 23, at Riverfront Park, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with entertainers, artists, and vendors of food and crafts. A community to celebration of our Hispanic culture.
5. 90 Days, 90 Parks: Coincidence? We Think Not!
- Starting soon, Mayor Chris Hoy and our video and drone crew are putting the spotlight on every City park in Salem. Better yet, the summer season is roughly 90 days long, just the right amount of time to explore each one yourself!
- Don’t miss the Salem Seekers glass bird scavenger hunt across Salem’s parks. Search for these hidden glass birds at designated parks throughout the city.
6. Fun with Water
- Salem’s a river city and we have a watery playground at our front door – just be sure to play it safe and wear a life jacket! The City of Salem has a summer life jacket loaner program at Wallace Marine Park.
- Keep cool in our Splash Fountains all summer. Riverfront Park Splash Fountains are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., noon to 8 p.m. in other parks.
7. Outdoor Adventures
- Join Center 50+ for Summer Adventures, starting with a presentation on hiking safety, Wednesday, June 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a hiking adventure to Silver Creek Falls June 26. Check out their program guide for more.
- Check out Salem Public Library’s Library of Things to see how to rent a kayak, a tent, and more outdoor equipment!
8. Check Out the Recreation Guide
- Learn more about summer recreation, sports, and activities,, including a fishing derby, nature camps, the owl program, tree-climbing, and much more!. Sign up through the Recreation Guide.
9. A Library Full of Fun
- Join the Salem Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, beginning Tuesday, June 6, for a chance at prizes.
- Discover a full summer of activities on the Library Calendar.
10. Explore Salem’s History
- Gilbert House Children’s Museum, Oregon State Capitol, Salem Pioneer Cemetery, and the Salem Walking Tour map are just a few ways to enjoy the rich Salem history.
11. Get to Know Salem’s Public Art
- Follow Salem’s Self-Guided Art Tour or discover the Public Art Scavenger Hunt and find art in the most unusual places.
12. Plan a Staycation
- Explore your own back yard! We’ve barely scratched the surface of things you can do in the mid-Willamette Valley on an afternoon, an evening, or a weekend, including outstanding dining, theater, farm tours, and much more. Check out Travel Salem for more ideas.
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Salem, Ore. – Temporary road closures have begun on Union Street from Commercial Street NE to Summer Street NE for the new Union Street Family Friendly Bikeway.
The project adds bike lanes to Union Street. It will enhance the overall pedestrian, bike riding, and vehicular safety of Union Street NE. The project provides marked bike lanes, road striping, improved crosswalks, ADA accessible curb ramps, and parking spaces.
Parking and lane restrictions may be required along sections of Union Street as the construction progresses. The first phase will include a new ADA Ramp, Storm Water Infrastructure, and underground signal upgrades along Union Street at Liberty Street NE, High Street NE, and Church Street NE in late May. Completion of the Union Street Family Friendly Bikeway project is expected in the fall of 2023.
When all segments of the Union Bikeway project are complete, it will connect Downtown, Riverfront Park, Wallace Marine Park, Minto-Brown Island Park, and the Capital Mall with the 134-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. Additionally, the intersection of Union Street NE and Liberty Street NE will be improved to include a traffic signal and bulb-out corners to enhance safety for both bicycles and pedestrians.
Learn more about construction projects in your neighborhood and view an interactive map of current projects from around the city.
Salem, Ore -- Salem’s community is a bit better now than it was before, thanks to the community service work of 14 graduating high school seniors who are receiving Service Honors Recognition pins this year.
These three teens offer examples of the kinds of skills and experiences young people can benefit from through community service.
An Nguyen, Sprague High School
“Volunteering at the city has allowed me to grow in so many ways, most significantly helping me develop my own self-confidence and my public speaking skills. Through this, I became more sure of myself when leading others.”
Fateh Gogia, Sprague High School
“The best part about volunteering at the library is the community. From the young to the old, each person brings their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Each day I would go, I would hear about someone's experiences that would inspire me, and before I knew it, it was time to go home.”
Samantha Murry, Seaside (Formerly West Salem High)
“Even though I moved to seaside, I still wanted to give back to the city I love and giving back to the community is something I love to do. This year, the youth council meetings were virtual, making it easier for me to give ideas and join in. Serving with the city has helped me realize how many teens want to give back and help out.”
Here are some ways this Class of 2023 group has made a difference:
- redesigning and planting Civic Center pollinator gardens in CAREcorps,
- joining in public process for Our Salem, Climate Action, and Equity Roundtable plans,
- volunteering at the Salem Kids Relays and the Library,
- organizing shoe collections and cleaning shoes for One Thousand Soles,
- joining the Police Cadet Program,
- volunteering at the opening concert series at the City’s new riverfront amphitheater,
- planning and presenting the ILEAD Youth Leadership Summit, and much more.
“These students are forming habits now that will serve them well as they become the leaders of our future,” said Mayor Chris Hoy. “They are giving of their time and talents and making our community better in the process. Thank you, seniors, for making a difference.”
City volunteer and teen leadership development programs provide opportunities for young community members to grow while positively impacting Salem. The students honored have donated at least 30 hours during their high school career to one or more programs in direct partnership with the City of Salem
Students receive a congratulatory letter from Mayor Hoy and a commemorative pin.
2023 City of Salem Service Honors Recipients
Abiqua Academy
Spenser Lamphear
Blanchet Catholic High School
Yeonwoo Jeong
McNary High School
Kiele Jarnagin
Seaside High School (formerly @ West Salem HS)
Samantha Murry
South Salem High School
Brandon Sims
Mihir Joshi
Sprague High School
An Nguyen
Ashlyn Chess
Fatehjot Gogia
Theresa Wunderlich
Summit Learning Charter School
Cady McManus
Teach Northwest Virtual Charter School
Riley Hurt
West Salem High School
Erin Montgomery
Shelby Rose Long
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Salem, Ore. — Construction will begin on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, to install a new, safer pedestrian crossing at Lancaster Drive NE and Watson Ave NE. The new pedestrian signal will include a raised median island, a pedestrian crossing signal, new ADA sidewalk ramps, and improved lighting. Once complete, the new signal will help alert drivers to pedestrians and bicycles waiting to cross Lancaster. Flashing yellow lights will provide greater safety and visibility to those going to nearby shopping areas.
The City of Salem is alerting those who travel Lancaster Drive NE to watch for construction crews working near the roadway. Pedestrian access will be limited during construction. Those who cross Lancaster Drive NE should cross at Devonshire Court NE to the north or Beverly Ave NE to the South to safely cross Lancaster Drive NE.
Pedestrians and motorists should expect minor delays and lane closures as construction progresses.
Find more information about the City of Salem’s Safer Pedestrian Crossing Program or future Safety and Livability Bond projects on our website.