Facts, things to know about Salem, Oregon
Salem, founded in 1842 and the capital city of Oregon, lies in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country with a population of about 182,000.
With summer underway, parents and caregivers are tasked with finding ways to keep kids entertained and burn off energy.
From the shady trees of Englewood Park to the multi-leveled playground of Keizer’s Big Toy, the Salem-Keizer area offers dozens of playgrounds for doing just that.
But which playground is the best? Vote in the Statesman Journal’s poll.
The poll is open now through 5 p.m. Friday, July 18.
Riverfront Park
The playground at downtown’s Riverfront Park might be aging, but its classic combination of swings, a big kid play structure and a little kids area remains popular.
Peak hours see the playground, located at 200 Water St. NE, packed with kids of all ages.
The site’s proximity to a nearby splash pad, Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, Willamette River, Gilbert House Children’s Museum, Minto-Brown Island Park and downtown means a visit can be paired with a litany of other activities.
The 26-year-old playground is set to be replaced in 2026 with new, expanded equipment and play area.
Wes Bennett Park
Variety is a key feature of south Salem’s Wes Bennett Park.
The area offers two separate playgrounds — one for younger children with smaller slides and monkey bars and one for older kids with ladders and tall slides — and is next to a splash fountain play area, basketball court and walking paths.
Located at 2200 Baxter Road SE, the park also has easy access to the multiple playgrounds at Pringle Elementary School when school is not in session.
Keizer Rapids Park Big Toy Playground
Part of the 148-acre Keizer Rapids Park at 1900 Chemawa Road N, the Big Toy Playground offers one of the biggest play areas in the Mid-Valley.
Its fenced play area and rubberized surface help keep kids contained and safe.
Big Toy has multiple swings, a little kid playground and a big kid playground with tall slides, climbing walls, murals and an obstacle course.
A fire engine playhouse also mists kids with water on hot days. The play area is close to the park’s hiking trails, Willamette River and dog park.
Englewood Park
The towering oak trees at northeast Salem’s Englewood Park provide plenty of shade on hot summer days.
The park at 1260 19th St. NE has swings, two playgrounds for different ages, walking paths and a splash fountain.
Another playground at Englewood Elementary School is also available when school is not in session.
Bryan Johnston Park
Bryan Johnston Park at 400 Mildred Lane SE has multiple updated play structures, including a toddler playground and climbing course.
The south Salem park also has hilly walking paths and pretty views of the nearby tree-lined neighborhoods.
Let’s All Play Place
Commonly known as the “hospital playground” for its proximity to Salem Health hospital, this inclusively-designed play area has rubberized surfaces, swings, water play area, slide, merry-go-round and climbing structure.
Salem Health built the wheelchair-friendly playground at 601 Mission St. SE in 2016.
Bush’s Pasture Park
Just across the street from the Salem Health hospital playground is Bush’s Pasture Park at 600 Mission St. SE.
The park offers almost 91 acres of walking paths, wooded areas, streams and open meadows. The Crooked House playground on the upper portion of the park has swings, slides and a play structure with plenty of nearby tables and benches.
The playgrounds on the lower level near the creek include a toddler play area and a bigger play structure with swings.
Orchard Heights Park
West Salem’s Orchard Heights Park, located at 1165 Orchard Heights Road NW, also offers proximity to a creek and walking paths.
Glen Creek winds alongside the playground, which has swings, a toddler play structure and a bigger-kids play area.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at [email protected], call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth