In June of 2010, City Council approved the FY 2010-11 budget.  The budget included $60,000 for a matching grant program called the Salem Park Improvement Fund (SPIF). The SPIF program was first established in 2006 and is intended to provide an opportunity for Salem's Neighborhood Associations to partner with the City to help make park improvements (i.e. new playground equipment, shelter repair, trails, etc.). 

Status of the 2010-2012 Cycle (Round 4)
The following awards were made to five neighborhood associations.

Eastgate Basin Park, Lansing Community Action, received $2665 toward a security light at the park. The new fixture will allow viewing of the playground from Hawthorne Avenue NE and help deter any negative activity occuring at the park. 

Fairmount Park, South Central Association of Neighbors, received $18,100 toward additional improvements at Fairmount Park. The neighbors of Fairmount Park have been fund-raising and receiving SPIF grants the last two years to bring needed play equipment to their park. Recently, Public Works removed two tennis courts on the reservoir deck to alleviate added weight to the facility. To compensate the neighborhood, Public Works has allowed $120,000 worth of improvements at the park (the equivalent cost to build two new tennis courts). A master plan revision has been completed, and plans are currently being drawn with the intent to begin implementation of the project summer 2011. The allowance from Public Works, along with both the previous and current SPIF awards will give the neighborhood approximately $161,000 to improve their park. Besides playground equipment, the neighbors decided on landscaping around the reservoir deck, a shelter, three-point basketball court, and soft trails to name a few of the items. The neighbors have also pledged to volunteer time to help with some of the labor involved with constructing the playground and trails.  

Nelson Park, Croisan-Illahe Neighborhood Association, received $20,000 toward a second phase of playground equipment. Croisan-Illahe NA has a subcommittee called the Friends of Nelson Park that has spearheaded an energetic effort to raise funds for this project. So far, they have raised $38,000 and are still receiving donations. Implementation is expected to begin on phase one this summer.

Northgate Park, Northgate Neighborhood Association, received $1019 toward a concrete path to connect the current walkway to the newly planted Peace Garden. This will help provide access for those bringing in materials and tools to the garden.

Orchard Heights, West Salem Neighborhood Association, received $13,250 toward tot play equipment and a new swing set at the park.

Status of the 2009-11 Cycle (Round 3)
The following is a status update on the previous round of SPIF awards.

Bill Riegel Park, Southeast Mill Creek Neighborhood Association, received $9,532 toward phase one development at this site. This neighborhood's match has been made through a donation of $10,000! This money, along with $10,000 from the Salem Parks Foundation has been included as part of an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant match in the amount of $29,532. This project includes an irrigated tree buffer for noise abatement, a nearly one-acre area of seeded play space, soft and hard paths, and playground equipment. As of January 2011, the tree buffer has been installed, and a play area has been graded and seeded. Play equipment and trails will be constructed beginning summer 2011.

Fairmount Park, South Central Neighborhood Association, received $18,000 toward this neighborhood's phase two effort at this park. The neighbors are in the process of finalizing their selection of play equipment. Installation will take place summer 2011.

Hilfiker Park, Morningside Neighborhood Association, received $2,680 toward phase one development at the site. This development will include a soft trail path, picnic tables, and trash can. The neighborhood has nearly met their match through donations and volunteer labor, and this project is slated to be completed this summer.

Hillview Park, Faye Wright Neighborhood Association, received $2,090 toward reroofing the shelter at Hillview Park. The neighborhood partnered with Sunrise Rotary to remove and place the new metal roof. This neighborhood association also received their match funds through a donation in the amount of $2,000. Thanks to Faye Wright Neighborhood, Sunrise Rotary, Salem Rotaract, South Salem Rotary, Sunnyridge Construction, King and Dehut Roofing, and D&O Garbage, this project is now complete!

McKay School Park, Northeast Community Association, North Lancaster Association, and East Lancaster Neighborhood Association, received $11,475 toward improvements at McKay School Park. These improvements include removing the ball wall, resurfacing the basketball court/tennis court and removing the tennis court to place a full basketball court and two half courts to meet the demand for basketball in that area. The group's fund-raising is complete thanks to two substantial donations. Implementation of this project will begin as soon as weather allows and be complete by end of summer 2011.

Nelson Park, Croisan-Illahe Neighborhood Association, received $15,000 toward new play equipment at Nelson Park. This neighborhood has a very enthusiastic committee involved in raising funds for this project. The Friends of Nelson Park has raised $38,000 and has received another SPIF award (noted above) to bring all new play equipment to this park. This project will begin summer 2011 and has a planned completion of summer 2012.

Northgate Park, Northgate Neighborhood Association, received $1,223, toward a bike rack at Northgate Park. The Neighborhood's match has been met and the bike racks have been installed!

 If you have any questions about any of these projects please contact Toni Whitler, Parks Operations Division, at 503-588-6304, or twhitler@cityofsalem.net. 

Click here to view the SPIF Guildelines and Timeline.

If you would like information on how to make a financial contribution for any current or future park improvement projects, please contact Betsy Belshaw, Chair, Salem Parks Foundation, at 503-370-8789 Or visit the Foundation website at www.salemparksfoundation.org