Cascades Gateway Park History
Cascades Gateway is a large urban park that enjoys high use from residents of the entire area, particularly during the summer months. The Beaver Grove Shelter, Bluegill and Arrowhead picnicking areas host many family gatherings, reunions and group picnics. Other uses of the park include the new 18-hole disc golf course as well as boating and fishing in Walter Wirth Lake and Mill Stream. The free swimming lake, paddle boats and Children's Contact Zoo were features that attracted youngsters to the south park area until 1976. A DEQ water quality study in the spring of 1976, led to the City Council's decision to close the lake to swimming due to upstream pollution. The swimming area was then developed as an outdoor recreation center. Programs in canoeing, sailing, nature study, campcraft, camping outdoor cooking, fishing and other skills were offered.
Cascades Park came into reality due to the vision and energy of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce officials. In 1957, the Chamber sold land to the State Highway Department for a gravel borrow pit with the understanding that the land would ultimately revert to the City of Salem for a park. With the help of Federal Open Space funds, the City purchased an additional parcel of land from the Chamber in 1963.
Development was started in the early 60's and included the swimming beach, bathhouse-concession building and a bridge across Mill Creek to the picnic areas. In the late 60's several Urban Beautification grants provided matching funds for paving the parking lot and roadways and construction of a shelter building, rest rooms and irrigation system in the picnicking area.
The Salem Jaycees have operated the food and boat concession during the summer months since 1971. Members were enthusiastic about this service project, with all the profits earmarked for development of additional recreation facilities in the park. Because of poor response to the food concession and high liability insurance for the paddle boats, the Jaycees discontinued operation of the concession in mid-August of 1976. They are still interested in short-term concentrated efforts to improve the park.
Special credit is also due the Junior Woman's Club for their efforts to established a Children's Contact Zoo. Club members spearheaded the design and construction of the building and have operated the Zoo for three years. The Marine Corps and many other volunteers assisted with construction of the building. The Juniors won a $2500 National cash award for their Zoo project. In the summer of 1976 the Zoo was not opened because of increased operating costs and decreasing interest by the Juniors.
Mill Stream, which runs through Cascades Gateway Park, has become the spawning area for fall Chinook Salmon. This is the result of the State Fish Commission project of rearing fingerling salmon in Walter Wirth Lake. The lake was stocked from 1968 to 1973. The first salmon returned to spawn in Mill Stream in 1970. The return of these large adult salmon provides many hours of viewing pleasure to Salem citizens who gather along the banks.
Walter Wirth Lake is a pond located at the park that consists of 20.56 acres (which includes the .34 acre island) and is stocked by The Department of Fish and Wildlife. The pond was named after Walter L. Wirth, a Park Superintendent for the City of Salem Parks Department from 1954 - 1958. Mr. Wirth passed away in 1960 and in 1962 by City Council action, renamed the pond in honor of him. In December, 2006, a beautiful new sign was constructed and installed by volunteers from Salem Towne.
Cascades Gateway Park has been an excellent example of the City of Salem working with community groups for the benefit of Salem residents
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