Brush College Park History
Brush College neighborhood park is located across from Brush College Elementary School. It is a wooded area with two springs. Gibson Creek flows through the area. In 1923, Cornelia B. Harriett, an early pioneer, deeded 5.97 acres of land to the Brush College Community Club. Club members maintained the park until after World War II when interest waned and the park became overgrown with brush. According to the deed, the land then reverted to the First church of Christ Scientist. Through the efforts of the Polk County Park and Recreation Commission, the Church gave the land to Polk County for a public park.
An additional 2.87 acres was added to the park in 1959, a gift of Roy and Bertha Jacobson, developer of the Vick Heights Subdivision.
Development of the park was accomplished by Polk county with a matching Land and Water grant and includes a picnic shelter, play equipment, paved roadway and parking lot. A notation on the entrance sign reads: "Acquired and Developed by Polk County - 1960-1970."
In 1970, the ownership of the park was transferred to the City of Salem due to annexation.
The shelter is used for family reunions and group picnics. The "Old Timers' Picnic" annually brings together many of the original members of the old Brush College Community Club.
 
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