History
The Pringle Park land was purchased from the Joseph H. Albert estate in 1923, before the existence of the Park and Recreation Department. The site was used as an auto park. Early visitors to the capital city could park their trailer or pitch a tent in Pringle Park. A building located in the center of the park provided kitchen and restroom facilities. In the early 40's, camping was no longer permitted within the city and the building was rented for use as a private kindergarten.
In 1959, the community building was destroyed by fire. Insurance money, city budgeted funds and community effort combined to make the present building a reality. The flood of 1996 destroyed the building, resulting in it being torn down.
The original land acquired from Albert included property to the north of Shelton Ditch. Over the years, special interests were allowed to purchase two parcels of land north of the ditch and another portion of land south of Pringle Creek was traded away. In additional, permission was given to the hospital to pave a parking lot for the use of both hospital employees and park visitors. This, along with the paving of Oak Street and expansion of hospital facilities to the east, have combined to make the park seem to "shrink in size." Because of strong objections from Salem Park an Recreation Advisory Board members, further encroachments are being resisted.
Pringle Creek, Shelton Ditch and the many large Oak trees make Pringle Park an ideal setting for several thousand Salem area residents each year. The playground equipment and other park facilities are used extensively by visitors to the hospital, and on weekends for family reunions and picnickers.
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