An update to the Riverfront Park Master Plan is underway. You can get the latest news by signing up for the Riverfront Park Master Plan update email list.

Riverfront Park is the City’s premier urban event park, located along the Willamette River and in close proximity to businesses, restaurants, entertainment, and other parks and trails. The park is also home to a number of Salem’s annual events, including The World Beat Festival, 4th of July Celebration, Summer Movies in The Park, Holiday Tree Lighting, and many walk/run events.

The 26-acres of existing parkland is the result of industrial land conversion. Paper, flour, and woolen mills, as well as a coal gasification plant and an auto junkyard formerly occupied the site. Today, it features large grassy areas, an amphitheater, play equipment, a splash pad, and a covered Rotary Pavilion. A dock provides access to the Willamette River and the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler.

Riverfront Park is also home to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village, and the EcoEarth Globe. It connects to Minto-Brown Island Park by the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge and to Wallace Marine Park by the Union Street Railroad Bridge.

Park location map

Riverfront Park Master Plan update project

This beautiful park in downtown Salem has seen a lot of changes since the last master plan was completed back in 2001. Some of the most recent improvements include the completion of the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge and the temporary placement of a seasonal winter ice rink. A 3.8-acre property has also been added to the southeast corner of the park. In response to these changes, an update to the Riverfront Park Master Plan is underway.

Proposed master plan

After hearing from the community through over 1,600 survey responses and two public meetings, the City and the project consultants have developed a proposal to update the park master plan. An illustrative graphic of the proposed master plan is now available for public review.  Three perspetive sketches of the proposed master plan are also available for review.

​Riverfront Park Draft Master Plan

​Perspective Sketches with Precedent Images

Concepts included in the proposed master plan enhance river access, restore the river bank, maintain the openness of the meadow and views of the bridge, provide new bathrooms, add parking, and create a new performance area with a covered stage and amphitheater.

Comments continue to be welcomed, and may lead to changes to the proposed plan. Comments and questions can be sent to:

City of Salem Public Works Department
555 Liberty St SE, Suite 325
Salem, OR 97301-3515
Phone: 503-588-6211
Email: [email protected] 

Next steps 

A process  is now underway to adopt the proposed master plan update for Riverfront Park.  The plan will be presented to the Salem Park and Recreation Advisory Board on October 11, 2018. As a final step, the plan is expected to be forwarded to City Council at their November 13, 2018 meeting. Adjustments and refinements to the draft plan are expected to occur through this process.

• Fall 2018 – Master Plan finalized with cost estimates and phasing recommendations.  

• October 11, 2018 – Salem Park and Recreation Advisory Board
  (opportunity for public comment)
  Time: 5:30 p.m.
  Location: Civic Center, Room 325, 555 Liberty Street SE

• November 13, 2018 – City Council Meeting
  (opportunity for public comment)
  Time: 6:00 p.m.
  Location: Council Chambers, Room 240, 555 Liberty Street

Once approved by the City Council, the updated park master plan will provide a comprehensive vision for Riverfront Park over the next decade. This vision will guide future park improvements, enhancements, rehabilitation projects, and grant applications.