City Of Salem Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day And Announces New Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit (Photo) - 04/29/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

City of Salem Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day and Announces New Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit
 

Salem, Ore – The City of Salem is proud to join communities across the nation in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day on April 29, 2026. This day serves as a critical reminder of the devastating impact illicit fentanyl has on individuals, families and communities and underscores the importance of collective action to address this crisis.
 

The City recently launched an engagement to identify potential partners and gaps through the Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to strengthen the community’s response to substance use in Salem, including the fentanyl crisis.
 

“Fentanyl has touched the lives of so many in our community, and we must act with urgency and compassion to address this growing crisis,” said Krishna Namburi, Salem’s city manager. “The Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit is a vital step forward in our City’s efforts to save lives, support recovery and ensure the safety of our community.”
 

This toolkit will assist local leaders, service providers and regional partners in:

• Mapping the System: Providing a clear understanding of the local landscape across prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts
• Identifying Roles and Service Gaps: Highlighting areas where additional resources or services are needed to better support individuals and families impacted by fentanyl
• Convening Regional Partners: Facilitating collaboration among public safety, healthcare and community organizations to create a unified and effective response.

The Prevent, Treat, Enforce Toolkit reflects Salem’s commitment to addressing substance use in our community through a balanced and coordinated approach that prioritizes prevention, ensures access to treatment and strengthens enforcement efforts.
 

This work is aligned with Salem’s April 27 Proclamation for National Fentanyl Awareness Day, reaffirming Salem’s dedication to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and supporting those impacted by substance use disorders. The proclamation calls on all community members to join in the fight against fentanyl-related harm and noted, “Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and even a small amount can cause fatal overdoses, making it one of the leading causes of drug-related deaths in the United States.”
 

We encourage residents to learn more about the risks associated with fentanyl and the resources available to those in need. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and safer Salem for all.
 

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Crooked House Playground Reopens Ahead Of Schedule; Riverfront Park Playground To Reopen In July - 04/23/26

• The Crooked House Playground at Bush’s Pasture Park is now open with new playground surface
• The temporarily closed Riverfront Park playground is on track to reopen in July
• Other parks throughout the city provide opportunities to come out and play!

Salem, Ore. — Salem residents are encouraged to come out and play at the reopened Crooked House Playground at Bush’s Pasture Park.

Due to hard work and favorable weather, the Crooked House playground has reopened ahead of schedule, making an additional play space available for area children.

New Ground at Playground

The playground at Bush’s Pasture Park closed for construction earlier this month and reopened April 21. The closure allowed for replacement of the playground surface with synthetic grass similar to the material to be installed at Riverfront Park as part of the larger playground improvement.
 
This installation represents the first use of playground-specific synthetic turf in Salem’s park system. The system is different from typical sports turf, as it is designed to cushion falls and provide a smoother, more accessible play surface for children of many abilities.

The new playground turf at the Crooked House includes Envirofill infill, a coated sand specifically designed for playground use which is safe for children. Its rounded grains help maintain a stable, well-draining surface for play while antimicrobial protection helps keep the material clean and durable over time.

Riverfront Park Playground Construction Rushes Forward, Makes Waves

Riverfront Park’s playground, which was also closed for construction earlier in April, is now expected to reopen in July. To keep the south park restrooms open during construction, contractors have moved the construction fencing around the site to provide access.

Equipment removed from the former play structures at Riverfront Park is currently being retained for potential future use. Because these structures were manufactured by the same company that made many of Salem’s other playgrounds, the parts are compatible with existing equipment across the city. This allows Parks and Recreation staff to repurpose parts in good condition to repair or maintain other playgrounds, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Any materials that could not be repurposed are being responsibly recycled to the fullest extent possible.

Skip, Swing and Slide All Over Salem

Throughout construction, playgrounds at Bush’s Pasture Park (Lower Leffelle, near Phillips’ Field), McKay Park, Orchard Heights Park, River Road Park, Wallace Marine Park and Woodmansee Park will remain open. In addition, you can find a neighborhood park with a playground near you from our Find a Park webpage: https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/things-to-do/parks/find-a-park. 

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month In Salem - 04/10/26

Events and Activities Celebrate Local History

Salem, Ore. – May is Historic Preservation Month, and the Salem Historic Landmarks Commission is hosting several events and activities to celebrate Salem's history including walking tours, educational events and a historic photo contest.
 

How to Participate

Local Historic Preservation Month activities include:

• Historic Landmarks Commission ‘Hidden History’ Photo Contest Annual city-wide contest invites photographers to photograph buildings, features and places that are important to Salem’s history. Submissions are due by April 30.
   
• April 29 – May 2 Oregon Heritage Conference ‘Weaving Community Heritage’ in Woodburn Conference focuses on all sectors of cultural heritage, such as historic preservation, museums, archives, libraries, Main Streets, historic cemeteries, archaeology, Tribes, genealogy, public history and local, state and federal government. Learn more online.
   
• May 9, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Window Workshop at Pringle Community Hall Workshop focuses on repair and preservation of historic wood windows. Window experts will provide demonstrations and answer questions. Ideal for homeowners, preservation professionals, contractors, or those interested in learning traditional restoration techniques. Free event. Register online.
   
• May 14, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Downtown Walking Tour Informative walking tour of downtown Salem to learn about the hidden history behind Salem’s commercial and theater district. Free event. Register online.
   
• May 27, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Willamette Heritage Center Speaker Series Historical Preservation Presentation by Charles F. Sams II ‘By Understanding Our Past, We Better Understand Ourselves: Preserving Our History & Stories for Generations to Come’. $12/person. Purchase tickets online.
   

Learn More

For more information about historic preservation in Salem, visit the Historic Landmarks Commission web page or call 503-540-2417.

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Salem Presents FY27 Proposed Budget: Advancing Financial Stability And Community Priorities - 04/10/26

Key Highlights of the FY27 Proposed Budget

• Long-Term Fiscal Health: In all, the City’s FY27 Proposed Budget represents $816.1 million supporting over 550 specific programs, and is set to begin on July 1, 2026. The budget represents a single fiscal year, developed within the context of the City’s multi-year financial forecast, ensuring our decisions support Salem’s long-term fiscal health. The proposed budget achieves balance through FY 2028 and remains within the City Council’s General Fund balance policy.
• Community Priorities: The voter-approved 2025 Livability Levy continues to play a critical role in restoring and maintaining library services, protecting parks and recreation and supporting senior programs at Center 50+.
• Public Safety Focus: The budget prioritizes emergency services, including Police, Fire and 9-1-1 operations, with an operating budget of $225.8 million, representing 27.7 percent of the total budget.

Strategic Initiatives for FY 2027

1. Pilot Programs: The City is expanding its use of pilot programs to test and refine services on a small scale before expanding. For FY2027, the City proposes extending the Safe, Clean and Healthy Salem pilot; implementing a new approach to reduce substance use and enhance community health through Prevent, Treat and Enforce initiative; and piloting downtown community policing funded by paid on-street parking.
2. Efficiency, Improving Operations and Cost Savings: Building on prior efforts, the City made targeted adjustments and cost containment measures to meet the City Council fund balance policy through FY 2028 by:
   1. Reducing department budgets by a total of $150,000 annually;
   2. Altering positions in the Fire Department to support training capacity and reduce overtime; and 
   3. Adjusting non-represented employee share of health insurance premiums from 5 to 10 percent.
3. Focus on Communications and Community Engagement: To advance City Council priorities and respond to performance audit findings, the City is making thoughtful adjustments to staffing and organizational structure to strengthen communications, Council support and community engagement.

How to Get Involved

April 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

• City Manager presents Proposed FY 2027 Budget
• Welcoming and Livable Community, Natural Environmental Stewardship result areas

April 22, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

• Capital Improvement Program public hearing
• Strong and Diverse Economy and Urban Renewal Agency, Safe Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure result areas

April 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

• State Revenue Public Hearing 
• Safe Community, Good Governance result areas

May 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. 

• Recommendation of FY 2027 Budget to City Council and Urban Renewal Agency

Salem Honors Teens And Teacher For Contributions To Youth Environment (Photo) - 04/08/26

• Awards honor teen and adult leaders working to make the Mid-Willamette Valley a better place for young people
• Focus includes avoiding fentanyl

Salem, Ore. – On March 7, the ILEAD Youth Summit celebrated youth leadership, volunteerism and the contributions teens and adults make in the Mid-Willamette Valley. During the closing session of the Summit, three ILEAD IMPACT awards were announced, recognizing outstanding contributions in the youth leadership arena.

The ILEAD Youth Leadership and Wellness Summit is an annual event for high school-age youth living in the Mid-Willamette Valley. The Summit aims to encourage and empower teens to create positive change in their lives, schools and communities.

Award nominations came from the public. The Youth and Planning Committees voted from among the nominees to select the award recipients.

Honors included:

Youth Leader Impact Award: Lydia Rolston, Sprague High School Senior 

They received the award for service and leadership with the Salem Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Lydia is one of only two TAB members to serve the full seven years of the program and has contributed significantly to literacy promotion and community-building through Library Services.

Service highlights: Often leading group projects, Lydia has worked on promotional videos for the library’s Summer reading program (literacy promotion) and has led the charge on building a child-friendly 8-room haunted house in the fall.

Examples like this demonstrate:

• the importance of third spaces for our community
• how young people can contribute in a meaningful way through third spaces
• the impact teen leaders can have on making existing programs and services better

Youth Program Impact Award: the 72nd Annual Snoball Dance Event Youth Committee

Each year, a youth committee is formed to help Class Act Events present this safe and drug-free evening dance in Salem. Their hard work not only preserves a community tradition but also raises funds for the out-of-school college access program, Willamette Academy, located on Willamette University’s campus.

What makes the 2025 Snoball Youth Committee a particularly special group is their newly formed partnership with the City of Salem’s Opioid Prevention effort. Together, they launched “Stay Chill. Ditch the Street Pill ~ Dance at the Sno!” campaign.

The 25-person committee led efforts to educate their peers and the general public about the dangers of fentanyl pills and other street drugs—a pressing issue affecting local youth right now. This new campaign will continue for the next several years and is an example of intentional peer-to-peer advocacy and substance use prevention adopted by teens.

Adult Leader Impact Award: Charles Sanderson, a 26-year educator at Woodburn High School

Mr. Sanderson received recognition for his enduring investment in and advocacy for youth and especially the next generation of leaders.

From working with unhoused youth in Eugene, to leading youth conservation crews across the Northwest, to serving young people affected by violence, there’s no question why he received the 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year award for the Willamette region. He is an inspiration for others in never giving up on young people and helping them develop skills as they move forward in life.

About ILEAD

ILEAD is coordinated by the City of Salem’s Safe and Healthy Communities Outreach – Opioid Prevention. It is produced each year by dedicated Youth and Planning Committees. Special thanks to our sponsors: Marion County Health and Human Services, Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties, CC:Media, and the City of Salem.

For more information, contact Laurie Shaw Casarez at Lshawcasarez@cityofsalem.net.

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Construction Starts This Month On New Inclusive Playground At Riverfront Park (Photo) - 04/06/26

• Riverfront Park playground closes for replacement April 13.
• Local contractor and vendor help save on project costs.

Salem, Ore. – Construction is set to begin this month on a new, larger and more inclusive playground at Riverfront Park.

“The playground is designed to be inclusive with all sorts of features that make it so kids of all abilities can come together, socialize and play,” said Rob Romanek, park planner and project coordinator.

The playground will close on Monday, April 13, and contractors will put up a construction fence around the area, including some of the parking spaces in the south parking lot for use as a staging area. The restrooms near the playground will also be closed.

Completion of the new playground is expected by mid- to late summer.

Community Input Helped Shape Design

City staff reached out to families who need inclusive options and based design decisions on their feedback. Special features include:

• A quieter, low-sensory zone called the Eagle’s nest
• An all-inclusive accessible spinner
• A music station
• Fencing around the entire playground for families that need fully enclosed play space
• Rolling bars on one of the slides and specialized synthetic grass that safely reduces static electricity, helping prevent interference with devices like cochlear implants

The design also prioritizes accessibility and comfort for families and caregivers. Smooth paved pathways – including an extra-wide bridge – allow everyone to reach the second level of the main play structure. Multiple seating options are provided throughout the playground for caregivers, along with attractive landscaping and additional shade trees planted around the play area to create a welcoming and comfortable environment.

The playground’s theme centers on wildlife and nature. For example, a climbing structure made of logs will be called the Beaver Dam. The playground will also feature a rock-scramble element that uses real boulders. The synthetic grass will have color variations intended to depict a watershed.

The playground’s entryway will feature circles on the pavement that are riddles. They feature animal motifs and can show visitors where in the playground they can find the image again.

The new playground will be bigger and will be separated from park paths, minimizing user conflicts. Instead, a new 12-foot-wide path will arc around the playground through the south part of the South Meadow. The path will also encompass a tree-filled area that will provide shade for informal picnics.

We are taking care to protect and preserve the park’s existing trees. Only one tree will need to be removed to allow for the playground expansion, and every effort is being made to minimize impacts on other park trees.

Local Vendors and Contractors

The City has sourced much of the new commercial-grade playground equipment from a Salem vendor, Park N Play Northwest. This company is providing new swings, a three-tier play structure and a “bamboo forest” of metal poles to climb on.

As a gift to their Salem community, Park N Play Northwest offered a special discount of more than $46,500 on the large custom tower, helping make this playground project possible.

The playground will also include equipment sourced from four other vendors representing a total of six manufacturers. The City usually uses equipment from a single manufacturer when upgrading a park playground. In this case, as part of the park known as “Salem’s Living Room,” staff used multiple sources to assure that the equipment provided maximum value and function for the people who are going to use it.

The general contractor, Dalke Construction, is also a Salem firm. At less than $2.4 million, Dalke’s low bid is about $600,000 less than the City’s final $3 million construction cost estimate.

The total playground project cost, including design, project management and construction on the new park path, is expected to be about $2,532,000. It is funded through park system development charges, the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond and a $770,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Electrical System Upgrade

Coordinating with work on the playground project, the City is upgrading the park’s electrical system. The upgrade has been planned for a long time. Cost of the electrical project is approximately $896,000.

The upgrades will serve the original park amphitheater, the north meadow and the south meadow. It will replace the distribution system that serves events such as World Beat and the holiday lighting display. The new electrical panels will be on small pedestals where City staff and event organizers can more easily plug in equipment.

Coordination at Bush’s Crooked House Playground

The Crooked House playground at Bush’s Pasture Park will also be closed part of the time that Riverfront Park is closed. The closure will allow for replacement of the playground surface with synthetic grass similar to the material being installed at Riverfront Park.

Playgrounds at Bush’s Pasture Park (Lower Leffelle, near Phillips’ Field), McKay Park, Orchard Heights Park, River Road Park, Wallace Marine Park, and Woodmansee Park will remain open. In addition, you can find a neighborhood park with a playground near you from our Find a Park webpage.

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SURVEY: City Of Salem Invites Input On Strategic Plan - 04/06/26

• Your input can help shape Salem’s future
• Help City leaders understand what is working well and what needs improvement

Salem, Ore. – The City of Salem is updating its Strategic Plan and wants to hear from residents. The Strategic Plan guides decisions about City services, resource use and community priorities. Your feedback will help shape Salem’s future and ensure the City continues to grow as a strong, vibrant and diverse community.

Take our online survey by April 10.

Why Your Input Matters

The Strategic Plan sets goals and priorities for the next five years. It helps the City

• focus on what matters most
• respond to community needs

By sharing your thoughts, you can help City leaders understand what is working well and what needs improvement. Your input ensures the plan reflects the values and priorities of Salem’s diverse community.

How to Participate

The survey will take only a few minutes to complete. It asks for your opinions on City services, safety, livability and other important topics. The results will help guide the City Council as they finalize the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan.

What’s Next?

Your input will help us know whether the plan is on the right track and how we can best communicate progress.  Along with your input, City Council will consider adoption of the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan at their April 27, 2026 City Council meeting.

Questions?

For more information about the Strategic Plan or the survey, visit the City of Salem’s Strategic Plan webpage. Thank you for helping make Salem a better place to live, work, and thrive.

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Salem Safety And Livability Bond Sale Favored By Market - 04/02/26

Salem, Ore. — In a competitive bid, on March 24 the City of Salem received 13 bids for its tax exempt series ($94.5 million) and six bids for the taxable series ($5.5 million) of General Obligation bonds. The all-in true interest cost for the combined sale was 4.52 percent. 

Similar to the sale of a home, the bond sale closes two to four weeks after agreement to terms is reached. The City’s bond sale closes April 7. At closing, the City is expecting approximately $3 million in premium, or additional, funding.  

These funds will be available to support completion of the bond projects as costs may continue to increase over the course of the next several years. If costs lower, the premium can be used within the scope of the approved bond measure for enhancing of projects or completion of additional applicable projects. 

This is the second of three bonds sales that support Salem’s safety and livability measure, passed by voters in November 2022. The City plans to issue one more bond sales within the next few years as part of the 10-year project plan. 

In addition to fire trucks and equipment, the bond includes investments in Salem’s streets, sidewalks, parks, two new fire stations to improve responses times, funds for affordable housing, purchase of sites for affordable housing, branch libraries, cybersecurity improvements to protect City operations and Civic Center seismic improvements. 

Through the payoff of existing debt and refinancing opportunities, the sale of these bonds is not expected to increase Salem’s bond tax rate above $1.20/$1,000 of assessed value.  

The projects supported by Safety and Livability Bond are overseen by a community oversight committee. The Bond Oversight Steering Committee meets monthly to hear updates and make recommendations on bond projects. Membership of the committee includes Mayor Julie Hoy, Councilors Linda Nishioka and Micki Varney, and community members Bob Cortright and Mike Herron. Councilor Mai Vang serves as an alternate.