After six months of construction, families can once again head to Riverfront Park for some playground time. The newly rebuilt play area opened to the public on October 9 with larger structures, accessible features, and tons of details inspired by Oregon’s wildlife and natural landscape.
The opening is considered a soft launch, and the City of Salem plans to hold a larger grand-opening celebration at a later date. For now, the playground is ready for kids to climb, swing, spin and explore.
Designed for More Children to Play Together
The playground is intentionally designed around inclusion and allowing children with different abilities to enjoy more of the space together.
Accessible turf makes it easier to move through the playground with a wheelchair or other mobility device. The material also reduces static electricity, which can interfere with devices like cochlear implants. Wider paths provide additional room to navigate, while a bridge connects directly to the upper level of the main climbing structure.
The play area is also enclosed and separated from the park’s busy walking and biking paths. A new 12-foot-wide pathway curves around the playground, which will reduce conflicts between children at play and people traveling through the park.
New Places to Climb, Swing and Explore
One of the biggest additions is a colorful, three-level climbing tower designed for older children. Younger kids have their own smaller climbing structure, and additional features include swings, a spinner, a four-person seesaw and musical chimes and drums.
The nature theme appears throughout the playground. Children can climb on the log-inspired Beaver Dam, scramble across real boulders or crawl inside the Eagle’s Nest, a wooden structure shaped like a giant bird’s nest. A bamboo-inspired play area adds another place to climb and move.
Even the turf contributes to the Oregon wildlife theme, using different colors to evoke the look of a watershed.
A Scavenger Hunt Is Hidden Throughout the Playground
The new playground also adds a little mystery to an afternoon at the park. Animal-themed riddles are built into concrete circles near the entrance. Children are encouraged to solve the clues and search for matching plaques hidden throughout the play area. QR codes provide more information about the animals and the design, which adds an educational layer to the experience.
Improvements Extend Beyond the Play Area
The project included several updates around the playground as well. The rerouted path connects the area behind Salem’s Riverfront Carousel toward the river, and a tree-filled section offers shade and space for casual picnics.
Electrical improvements throughout the park will also make it easier to host future community events. Vendors will be able to connect directly to power outlets instead of relying on portable generators.
The playground and related improvements were estimated to cost approximately $2.53 million, but construction delays may affect the final cost. Funding included a $770,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, money from Salem’s 2022 Safety and Livability Bond and park system development charges. Salem-based Dalke Construction served as the general contractor, while much of the commercial playground equipment came from local vendor Park N Play Northwest.
After a spring and summer behind construction fencing, one of the city’s most popular family destinations is ready for play again.
Note: More Work Is Still Ahead
Although the playground is open, the project isn’t completely finished. Crews still need to install permanent fencing and complete some final work around the site. The playground may temporarily close again while that work is underway, so families may want to check for updates before planning a visit.
Official Reporting and Source Links
- Riverfront Park Playground Reopens After Months of Delay, but More Work Remains — Salem Reporter
- Salem’s New Riverfront Park Playground Opens to the Public — Salem Business Journal
- Exciting Improvements and Thrilling Additions Coming to Riverfront Park — City of Salem
- Riverfront Park Playground Closing for Upgrades — WhirLocal