Rescheduled: Minto Island Road SW Closed For Utility Replacement On May 5 (Photo) - 05/04/26

TRAFFIC ALERT

The Minto Island Road Closure was rescheduled by PGE until Tuesday, May 5.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026; 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
 

Location: Minto Island Rd SW in Minto-Brown Island Park (road will be closed beyond Parking Lot 1, no vehicle access to Parking Lots 2 & 3)
 

Road Closure: PGE will replace a utility service pole in Minto-Brown Island Park that will require closure of Minto Island Road SW beyond Parking Lot 1. While Parking Lot 1 will be accessible to vehicle parking, Parking Lots 2 & 3 will be inaccessible to all vehicle traffic for the duration of the work.
 

Additional vehicle parking for Minto-Brown Island Park will be available at Parking Lot 4 on Homestead Road as well as Riverfront Park.
 

CAUTION: Pedestrians and cyclists should use caution when traveling the area near construction.  For public safety, please follow signage and utility crew instructions.

For additional information, please contact the City of Salem at 503-588-6211 or service@cityofsalem.net.
 

Continue to monitor the Current Road Conditions Map on the City of Salem website to receive up-to-date information on scheduled or emergency road closures in Salem. https://public-construction-salem.hub.arcgis.com/

Salem Residents Invited To Share Experiences In Annual Community Belonging Survey (Photo) - 05/04/26

Salem, Ore. – The City of Salem’s Human Rights Commission, in partnership with Western Oregon University, has launched its annual Community Belonging Survey and encourages all community members to participate.
 

The survey, open now through May 12, 2026, asks Salem community members about their experiences with discrimination and sense of belonging, as well as perceptions of welcoming. 

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, especially when it comes to decisions that shape their community,” said Robert Marshall, chair of the Salem Human Rights Commission. “This survey helps ensure that people across Salem, including those whose voices are often underrepresented, can share their experiences concerning belonging to and in this community.”

Since 2020, the commission has partnered with graduate students in Western Oregon University’s Organizational Leadership program to collect and analyze this data. The findings are an additional tool to help the city better understand community needs and guide recommendations to Salem’s City Council.

About the Survey

The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. It is open to anyone who lives in or regularly spends time in Salem and is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chuukese and Marshallese. Targeted outreach is conducted to ensure participation from communities that are often underrepresented in traditional surveys, including individuals experiencing homelessness.

Community participation is essential to ensure that the results reflect the full diversity of Salem’s population. We are especially interested in hearing from communities whose voices are often underrepresented in traditional surveys.

Take the survey here: bit.ly/hrcbelonging

For more information about the City of Salem’s Human Rights Commission and its work, please visit https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/boards-commissions/salem-human-rights-commission

Street Closures Planned For May 1 Event Near Capitol Mall (Photo) - 04/30/26

Salem, Ore. — Street closures are planned related to a one-day event Friday, May 1, near the Oregon State Capitol Mall. Permitted street closures for the event will include portions of State Street NE and Center Street NE between Cottage Street NE and 12th Street NE, and Church Street NE between Center and State streets. The closures will be in effect from 12:30-3 p.m.

Expect increased pedestrian traffic and some delays. Temporary signage indicating road closures and lane restrictions will be in place. Drivers are asked to plan accordingly and seek alternate routes during the listed event times. Please drive safely and watch for an increase in pedestrians in the area.

Closure Details

• Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
• Time: 12:30-3 p.m.
• Affected Streets: Center Street NE, Chemeketa Street NE, Court Street NE, State Street NE, Cottage Street NE, Capitol Street NE, Church Street NE, 12th Street NE and Waverly Street NE, all in the vicinity of the Oregon State Capitol and Capitol Mall
• Details: Full or partial street closures will be in effect in the area bordered by Center, Cottage, State, Waverly and Capitol streets northeast; this will accommodate the permitted activities and ensure the safety of all participants and visitors

The City of Salem appreciates your cooperation and patience during this event and is committed to ensuring the safety and accessibility for all residents and visitors.

City Of Salem Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day And Announces New Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit (Photo) - 04/29/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

City of Salem Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day and Announces New Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit
 

Salem, Ore – The City of Salem is proud to join communities across the nation in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day on April 29, 2026. This day serves as a critical reminder of the devastating impact illicit fentanyl has on individuals, families and communities and underscores the importance of collective action to address this crisis.
 

The City recently launched an engagement to identify potential partners and gaps through the Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to strengthen the community’s response to substance use in Salem, including the fentanyl crisis.
 

“Fentanyl has touched the lives of so many in our community, and we must act with urgency and compassion to address this growing crisis,” said Krishna Namburi, Salem’s city manager. “The Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit is a vital step forward in our City’s efforts to save lives, support recovery and ensure the safety of our community.”
 

This toolkit will assist local leaders, service providers and regional partners in:

• Mapping the System: Providing a clear understanding of the local landscape across prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts
• Identifying Roles and Service Gaps: Highlighting areas where additional resources or services are needed to better support individuals and families impacted by fentanyl
• Convening Regional Partners: Facilitating collaboration among public safety, healthcare and community organizations to create a unified and effective response.

The Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit reflects Salem’s commitment to addressing substance use in our community through a balanced and coordinated approach that prioritizes prevention, ensures access to treatment and strengthens enforcement efforts.
 

This work is aligned with Salem’s April 27 Proclamation for National Fentanyl Awareness Day, reaffirming Salem’s dedication to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and supporting those impacted by substance use disorders. The proclamation calls on all community members to join in the fight against fentanyl-related harm and noted, “Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and even a small amount can cause fatal overdoses, making it one of the leading causes of drug-related deaths in the United States.”
 

We encourage residents to learn more about the risks associated with fentanyl and the resources available to those in need. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and safer Salem for all.
 

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Crooked House Playground Reopens Ahead Of Schedule; Riverfront Park Playground To Reopen In July - 04/23/26

• The Crooked House Playground at Bush’s Pasture Park is now open with new playground surface
• The temporarily closed Riverfront Park playground is on track to reopen in July
• Other parks throughout the city provide opportunities to come out and play!

Salem, Ore. — Salem residents are encouraged to come out and play at the reopened Crooked House Playground at Bush’s Pasture Park.

Due to hard work and favorable weather, the Crooked House playground has reopened ahead of schedule, making an additional play space available for area children.

New Ground at Playground

The playground at Bush’s Pasture Park closed for construction earlier this month and reopened April 21. The closure allowed for replacement of the playground surface with synthetic grass similar to the material to be installed at Riverfront Park as part of the larger playground improvement.
 
This installation represents the first use of playground-specific synthetic turf in Salem’s park system. The system is different from typical sports turf, as it is designed to cushion falls and provide a smoother, more accessible play surface for children of many abilities.

The new playground turf at the Crooked House includes Envirofill infill, a coated sand specifically designed for playground use which is safe for children. Its rounded grains help maintain a stable, well-draining surface for play while antimicrobial protection helps keep the material clean and durable over time.

Riverfront Park Playground Construction Rushes Forward, Makes Waves

Riverfront Park’s playground, which was also closed for construction earlier in April, is now expected to reopen in July. To keep the south park restrooms open during construction, contractors have moved the construction fencing around the site to provide access.

Equipment removed from the former play structures at Riverfront Park is currently being retained for potential future use. Because these structures were manufactured by the same company that made many of Salem’s other playgrounds, the parts are compatible with existing equipment across the city. This allows Parks and Recreation staff to repurpose parts in good condition to repair or maintain other playgrounds, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Any materials that could not be repurposed are being responsibly recycled to the fullest extent possible.

Skip, Swing and Slide All Over Salem

Throughout construction, playgrounds at Bush’s Pasture Park (Lower Leffelle, near Phillips’ Field), McKay Park, Orchard Heights Park, River Road Park, Wallace Marine Park and Woodmansee Park will remain open. In addition, you can find a neighborhood park with a playground near you from our Find a Park webpage: https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/things-to-do/parks/find-a-park.