Riverfront Park Playground Celebrates a Grand Opening

There was plenty to celebrate at Riverfront Park on October 30 as families gathered to mark the completion of improvements to one of Salem's favorite places to play. While the playground welcomed visitors back in early October, the grand re-opening marked the official completion of the project.

The revamped playground offers more opportunities for children of all abilities to explore, climb and play. From a three-level climbing structure and wildlife-inspired play areas to musical features and a scavenger hunt, there's something for everyone. Wider pathways, accessible play surfaces and quieter spaces help create a welcoming and inclusive environment where more children can play together.

"Inclusive play is about more than physical access. It's about creating a variety of play experiences that support different abilities, sensory needs and ways of engaging that builds confidence and shares the kind of moments that become memories," said Mayor Julie Hoy.

The improvements were made possible through funding from Salem's voter-approved 2022 Safety and Livability Bond, park system development charges and a $770,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Bringing the playground to life was a team effort involving businesses from Salem and across the Pacific Northwest. Portland-based Lango Hansen Landscape Architects led the playground design, with Dalke Construction serving as the prime contractor. Other project partners included T Edge Construction of Damascus for playground equipment installation, Northwest Playgrounds Equipment/ForeverLawn Puget Sound for playground surfacing, EarthTech Landscape Solutions of Salem for landscaping and irrigation, ProTech Power Corp. of Tigard for electrical work and lighting and Outdoor Fence Co. of Salem for fencing.

City Parks Planning staff also worked with several equipment providers to find the best combination of quality, cost and value. Park N Play Northwest of Salem, Buell Recreation, Northwest Playgrounds Equipment and Ross Recreation supplied equipment and play features from five manufacturers.

Mayor Hoy emphasized how partnerships and community investment helped bring the project to life. "This project is a great example of what we can do when local voters, state partners and our park system investments all come together with a shared purpose: creating lasting benefits for our community."

More than an upgraded playground, this project represents an investment in Salem's families and the places that bring our community together.