Minto-Brown Island Park spreads out over 1,200 acres of lush, open, and wooded areas. This makes Minto-Brown Island Park not only the biggest park in Salem, but also larger than Central Park in New York City.

There is a 30-acre, designated off-leash dog area that provides plenty of room for your dog to roam, play, and visit with other dogs. This Park also serves as a waterfowl and wildlife sanctuary, which you can enjoy from the observation platforms along the sloughs. Blue herons, ospreys, squirrels, and rabbits are among the many different wetland creatures that call this park home.

Walk, run, or bike any of the 29 miles of trail that make up nine loops. You can also access Riverfront Park via the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. Riverfront park connects to Wallace Marine Park by the Union Street Railroad Bridge.

You can also volunteer to join the park patrol.

Hours

Daily
Sunrise to Sunset

Minto Island Conservation Area

307-acres within the park

In 2013, the City purchased property from the Boise Cascade Corporation. The 307-acre area was acquired as a “Conservation Area” through the Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program, which is administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Funding for the acquisition was provided by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Both BPA and ODFW hold a Conservation Easement on the property. According to the Conservation Easement, the 307-acre area is to be managed for fish and wildlife habitat, with limited trail access allowed for passive recreation.

In 2015, the City produced a management plan for the Conservation Area, outlining restoration methods and areas. Phase 1 focused on the east side forested floodplain restoration and planting along the paved trail, and was funded with a grant from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and Meyer Memorial Trust in 2016. Phase 2 restoration, in partnership with Willamette Riverkeeper, is beginning in summer 2019 and is focused on reducing invasive aquatic weeds in Willamette Slough. A grant for Phase 3 restoration work will continue to improve the habitat by restoring native floodplain forested areas along the western edge in the Minto Island Conservation Area.

Minto-Brown Island Park Shelter

This unlit shelter can fit 64 people and features a barbecue and two counter workspaces with electrical outlets (20 amps max). There are portable toilets and a playground nearby.

• 8 picnic tables
• 4 garbage cans
• No potable water
• Alcohol use: May be approved as part of the reservation.
• Amplified sound not allowed

RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS

Reservation Fees

Year-round restrictions apply to event within the Minto Island Conservation area.