Oregon Parks and Recreation has awarded the City of Salem a grant for $500,000 to help complete the new skate park planned for Geer Park, 241 Geer Drive NE in east Salem. The total estimate for the project is $4.2 million. The remaining funds are expected to come from Parks System Development Charges.
Details of the project include:
- Site clearing and grading across 5.5 acres.
- Construction of an accessible paved pathway.
- Construction of a skate park.
- Construction of an accessible spectator viewing.
- Construction of a picnic shelter.
- Storm drain system and stormwater basin improvements.
- Installation of benches, picnic tables, bike racks, and trash receptacles.
- Planting and establishment of shade trees and other vegetation.
The project resulted in part from a robust community engagement process that asked residents and the skating community what features they would most like to see in the new full-sized skate park. The design process was led by a team that included Evergreen Skateparks, a company that designs and constructs skate parks worldwide. Construction may begin as soon as summer 2024.
Geer Park is a 44-acre community park where you can find active and passive activities and reservable features such as a covered shelter and ball fields. The park currently includes both developed and natural walking paths, picnic tables, two baseball fields, two soccer fields, and Salem's only bike park.
