Bush’s Pasture Park is a lush 90.5 acres of walking/running paths, wooded areas, and open meadows near downtown Salem. The park has many historical features and recreational amenities. Originally belonging to the Asahel Bush family before becoming a public park, the Bush family home now operates as a museum, contains perhaps the oldest conservatory this side of the Mississippi having been built in 1882, boasts a beautiful rose garden, has a small reservable gazebo, and an art center in the barn
The park has two large open grass areas for a drop in gathering of friends to picnic or for a game of frisbee, three different playgrounds and sets of restrooms, a large Rhododendron garden with viewing points, a softball/baseball field for 60-, 65-, and 70-foot play, four lit tennis courts, a large horseshoes area, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and the only official Soap Box Derby Track this side of the Mississippi.
Bush’s Pasture Park and Deepwood Gardens Planning Process Completed
The City completed its community visioning process to develop a cultural landscape management plan for Bush’s Pasture Park and
Deepwood Gardens, two historically significant park properties.
The Cultural Landscape Management Plan defines uses and management of different areas of the two parks and will provide guidance on how the properties will be managed into the future. Please visit the
Park Planning and Development web page for additional information on this and other parks planning projects.
Reservable areas
Paid reservations have priority over drop-in use.
Amphitheater
The amphitheater has a capacity of up to 80 people, with restrooms and a playground a short walking distance away.
- Alcohol use: $58.00
- Sound permit: $32.50
- Electricity: 20 amps max
- Potable water: not available
- Picnic tables: 6-8
The amphitheater is accessible from the Soap Box Derby Track. Posts can be pulled to allow vehicle access to the site, but parking is not allowed on the derby track. After drop-off, vehicles must park in the parking lot.
Phillips’ Field
Phillips' Field has base pegs for a range of play including 60-, 65-, and 70-foot softball or baseball, covered dugouts, and a set of bleachers behind home plate. Bases are left on the field from mid-March through October.
- Alcohol use: not allowed in this area
- Sound permit: not allowed in this area
- Electricity: not available
- Potable water: not available
The field is available for hourly, single and multi-day rentals.
Lower Leffelle Picnic Area
The picnic area is located just north of Phillips’ Field, close to restrooms, a playground, and the horseshoes area. Capacity is 50 people.
- Alcohol use: $58.00 (Alcohol must remain at the picnic area, not carried over to Phillips’ Field.)
- Sound permit: not allowed in this area
- Electricity: not available
- Potable water: not available
- Picnic tables: 5
Rose Garden Gazebo
The gazebo is located off Bush Street, between High Street and the Bush Museum, and is a beautiful location solely for weddings. The small, white gazebo sits among hundreds of beautiful rose bushes!
Please note: No more than 50 chairs fit directly in front of the gazebo. Chairs must be stable, cannot penetrate the sod, and must stay on the turf. The gazebo may not be decorated.
- Alcohol use: not allowed in this area
- Sound permit: not allowed in this area
- Electricity: not available
- Potable water: not available
Due to the nature of this historical area, the gazebo is available for weddings only, not receptions.
Soap Box Derby Track
The only official soap box derby track this side of the Mississippi, used for various events including soap box racing and skateboarding.
- Alcohol use: not allowed in this area
- Sound permit: $32.50
- Electricity: 20 amps max
- Potable water: not available
