Minto-Brown Island Park Parking Lots #2 and #3 will begin construction starting May 6, 2024

• Tree Removal – Over 30 trees, mostly diseased and non-native birch, were removed in February before nesting season so that proper paving and stormwater drainage can be installed in the appropriate sections of the parking lots. Every tree removed will be replaced in late fall of 2024, when conditions are best, with an appropriate native species within Minto-Brown Island Park.

• Grading - Starting in May, construction crews will begin improvements to parking lot #2 and #3, including new stormwater drainage facilities in the parking lots to decrease the amount of mud that collects around the walking paths of the parking lots.

• Stormwater Facility Upgrades - Natural planting zones collect stormwater after it rains. These areas help mitigate flooding and reduce the volume of water during a storm to prevent pollutants from entering our watershed.

• Paving - Parking lots will be paved with new asphalt before being striped for the public use.

The project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2024.

Design and Construction $1.54 million

Construction Schedule - Things to look for: 

Phase 1: 

Lot #2 closes in late May, 2024, estimated reopening mid-June (weather dependent)

Construction activities include:

• Site clearing and excavation
• Concrete installation for curbs and stormwater facilities
• Asphalt paving
• Landscaping
• Lot reopens

What to know:

• Use Lot #3 and overflow area for parking during Lot#2 construction.
• Reminder to keep dog leashed while outside the dog area
• Contractor will be working Monday – Thursday
• Tree planting by City staff will occur later in the fall

Phase 2: 

Following completion of Lot #2, Lot #3 closes and site preparations begin.

Construction activities include:

• Site clearing and excavation
• Concrete installation for curbs and stormwater facilities
• Asphalt paving
• Landscaping
• Lot reopens (Late July, weather dependent)

What to know:

• Use Lot #2 and overflow area for parking during Lot#3 construction.
• Reminder to keep dog leashed while outside the dog area
• Contractor will be working Monday – Thursday
• Tree planting by City staff will occur later in the fall

Project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2024.

The dog park and walking trails will remain open for visitors. Please remember to keep your dog on a leash while walking to or away from the dog park area.

Parking availability and vehicle access may be impacted during various phases of construction. 

• During the Phase 1, Lot #2 Closure, please park in the available parking or overflow area at Parking Lot #3.
• During Phase 2, Lot #3 Closure, please park in the available parking in lot #1 or lot #2.

Access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities will be available and identified through or around the work zones.

Over 30 trees will be removed as part of the project in the area around the dog park. Most of these trees are European white birch that are in need of removal due to their declining health. These trees are infested with the bronze birch borer – an insect pest, and show viable signs of heat stress from the extreme heat waves in Salem over the past summers.   

The established evergreen trees bordering the parking lot to the east will not be removed.

Three native cottonwood trees will be removed along the entrance to parking lot 3.

Each tree will be replaced with a native tree species in appropriate locations throughout the park.

The logs from the cottonwood trees will be used in the nearby slough to support native turtle habitat. 

Aaron Kimsey
Project Engineer
akimsey@cityofsalem.net
503-588-6211