Geer Community Park: Improved Fields Open Soon (Photo) - 05/27/26

Salem, Ore. – Geer Community Park is about to become a hub of even more activity with the opening of upgraded soccer and baseball fields. Visitors can look forward to the sound of bats cracking and the “thwack” of boots connecting with soccer balls.

Why It’s Important

These enhancements are important because they provide safer, more enjoyable spaces for recreation while addressing the needs of the community. The new features aim to improve accessibility, sustainability and usability of Geer Community Park. The 2022 Safety and Livability Bond, approved by Salem voters, helped fund the upgrades. By investing in these updates, Salem is taking meaningful steps to ensure the park serves as a welcoming space for all residents.

Baseball Fields Reopen May 30

The newly reconstructed baseball fields will open for reserved use on May 30. These fields feature artificial turf infields, allowing for baseball, softball and kickball games, and a longer play season with fewer rainouts.

Salem is helping lead the way with innovative materials, using an artificial turf infill system with crushed olive pits instead of crumb rubber. Crumb rubber, commonly made from grinding up used tires, has been the subject of ongoing study because it can contain trace amounts of potentially harmful chemicals. As a result, there is ongoing debate about the potential environmental and human health impacts of its use in synthetic turf systems.

Soccer Fields Reopen June 6

Geer Park’s soccer fields will reopen on June 6 with a more flexible design. The fields can now be used as two separate areas or one large play space, thanks to a uniform grade and improved drainage system. Previously, uneven terrain and poor drainage limited their use.

The upgraded fields include a modern irrigation system and sand trench drainage, ensuring better durability and usability.

These updates reflect Salem’s commitment to creating safe, accessible and sustainable recreational spaces for the community.

McKay Park Soccer Fields Close June 1 for Reconstruction

As Geer Park’s fields reopen, McKay Park’s soccer fields will close for reconstruction starting June 1. Persistent field management issues caused by a shallow stormwater pipe have made the fields difficult to maintain. Reconstruction will address these problems, ensuring better playability in the future.

Picnic Pavilion and Plaza

Aside from field reconstruction, the McKay Park project will also add a new picnic pavilion and plaza with water and electrical hookups designed to support mobile food vendors. This will allow the park to host permitted community events in the future that may include a food truck.

Two Portland Loos

The project will also replace the existing portable chemical toilets with two permanent public restroom facilities. The City is installing single-stall prefabricated stainless-steel units known as the Portland Loo, a durable design originally developed by the City of Portland and manufactured in Oregon.

These facilities are designed for durability, ease of maintenance, and long-term public use in parks and other public spaces. Their open-air design provides a balanced approach that supports both user privacy and public safety through natural visibility and passive surveillance.

During this time, soccer activities will move to the newly upgraded fields at Geer Park.

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