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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Salem Government #35: Riverfront Park

The land that is now Salem Riverfront Park was originally a wintering site for the Kalapuya Indians. At the turn of the 20th century it was industrial land. Early industries here included Capital Lumbering, Matheny's Wharf and Warehouse and Salem Flour Milling. Until 1982, this land was occupied by the Boise Cascade Corporation's pulp mill. The city of Salem acquired the land from Boise Cascade in the 1980s. Salem Riverfront Park opened in October, 1996.

IMG_3600 Rotary Children's Playground at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Rotary Children’s Playground on September 10, 2006

The Rotary Children's Playground was "dedicated for the enjoyment of the children in our community" in November, 1997. It was made possible by the efforts of the Capital Area Sunrise, East Salem, Salem, Salem-Creekside, South Salem and West Salem Rotary Clubs.

IMG_3599 Rotary Children's Playground Plaque at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Rotary Children’s Playground Plaque on September 10, 2006

Additional Links:
Salem Rotary Club at Salem Online History

IMG_3580 Wild Salmon In Every Direction at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Wild Salmon in Every Direction on September 10, 2006

Wild Salmon in Every Direction was dedicated on June 26, 1999 during the World Beat Festival. It coincided with contributions by Portland General Electric and Northwest Natural Gas to establish the Riverfront Park amphitheater.

IMG_3581 Wild Salmon In Every Direction at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Wild Salmon in Every Direction on September 10, 2006

The wild salmon represent a link between people of the past and the future.

IMG_3579 Wild Salmon In Every Direction Plaque at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Wild Salmon in Every Direction Plaque on September 10, 2006

The plaque includes the following quote from D. F. Charles: “In our voices and deeds, the echoes of a great river.”

IMG_3590 View of Pringle Creek emptying into Willamette Slough at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
View from Riverfront Park on September 10, 2006

At the south end of Riverfront Park is an overlook that provides a view of Pringle Creek emptying into Willamette Slough, which leads into the Willamette River.

IMG_3591 September 11th Memorial at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
September 11th Memorial on September 10, 2006

Mounted on the fence at this overlook is a small plaque dedicated to the victims of September 11, 2001. It reads: "This is memorial is dedicated to the thousands of people from throughout the world who lost their lives as a consequence of the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001. May peace prevail on earth."

IMG_3601 Willamette Queen sternwheeler docked at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon on September 10, 2006
Willamette Queen Sternwheeler on September 10, 2006

This overlook and dock were completed in 2005. The dock is the boarding point for the Willamette Queen, an 87-foot sternwheeler that was built in Newport, Oregon in 1990 and has a capacity of 90 people. The Willamette Queen takes passenger on one-hour and two-hour pleasure cruises on the Willamette River.

Additional Links:
Willamette Queen at the Salem Oregon Community Guide

Two other major elements of Riverfront Park are Salem's Riverfront Carousel and the Eco-Earth. Each will be covered in its own post.

Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
Eco-Earth Globe

Additional Links:
Riverfront Park at the Salem Oregon Community Guide

Continue to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel

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