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Salem Parks

The pride and joy of any town is the public park system. Salem boasts hidden gems located inside neighborhoods, larger community parks with reservable areas for weddings, reunions, company picnics, and athletic tournaments, plus special event parks for concerts, festivals, movies, and run/walk events. Salem is fortunate to have historical sites and park features not found anywhere this side of the Mississippi. Salem's thriving volunteer base works in tandem, contributing assistance to support these wonderful City resources.

Park Hours

Sunrise to Sunset

  • Bush's Pasture Park

    Bush’s Pasture Park field
    1. Address:600 Mission St SE
      Salem, OR 97302
    Amenities:
    1. Amphitheater
    2. Jogging
    3. Picnic Tables
    4. Play Equipment
    5. Restrooms
    6. Softball Field(s)
    7. Tennis Court(s)
    8. Walking
    Categories:
    1. Parks in Central Salem
    2. Reservable Spaces

Bush’s Pasture Park playground Bush’s Pasture Park softball field Bush’s Pasture Park field Bush’s Pasture Park tennis court Bush’s Pasture Park picnic area Bush’s Pasture Park gazebo

 

 

Bush’s Pasture Park is a lush 90.5 acres of walking/running paths, wooded areas, and open meadows near downtown Salem. The park has many historical features and recreational amenities. Originally belonging to the Asahel Bush family before becoming a public park, the Bush family home now operates as a museum, contains perhaps the oldest conservatory this side of the Mississippi having been built in 1882, boasts a beautiful rose garden, has a small reservable gazebo, and an art center in the barn

The park has two large open grass areas for a drop in gathering of friends to picnic or for a game of frisbee, three different playgrounds and sets of restrooms, a large Rhododendron garden with viewing points, a softball/baseball field for 60-, 65-, and 70-foot play, four lit tennis courts, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and the only official Soap Box Derby Track this side of the Mississippi.

Hours

Daily
Sunrise to Sunset

RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS

Reservation Fees

Reservable Area Fee Unit Notes
Amphitheater $36.00 (Mon-Thurs)
$39.00 (Fri-Sun)		 Per Hour 4-hour minimum + permit fee*
Lower Leffelle Picnic Area $36.00 (Mon-Thurs)
$39.00 (Fri-Sun)		 Per Hour 4-hour minimum + permit fee*
Phillips' Field $29.00 Per Hour + permit fee*
Rose Garden Gazebo $36.00 (Mon-Thurs)
$39.00 (Fri-Sun)		 Per Hour 4-hour minimum + permit fee*
Soap Box Derby Track $263.00 (Mon-Thurs)
$288.00 (Fri-Sun)		 Special Use + permit fee*
*Permit Fee $30.00 Per Permit When submitted more than 15 business days prior to event, non-refundable
*Permit Fee - Expedited $60.00 Per Permit When submitted less than 15 business days prior to event, non-refundable

Reservable Areas

Paid reservations have priority over drop-in use.

Amphitheater

The amphitheater has a capacity of up to 80 people, with restrooms and a playground a short walking distance away.

The amphitheater is accessible from the Soap Box Derby Track. Posts can be pulled to allow vehicle access to the site, but parking is not allowed on the derby track. After drop-off, vehicles must park in the parking lot.

Phillips’ Field

Phillips' Field has base pegs for a range of play including 60-, 65-, and 70-foot softball or baseball, covered dugouts, and a set of bleachers behind home plate. Bases are left on the field from mid-March through October.

  • Alcohol use: not allowed in this area
  • Sound permit: not allowed in this area
  • Electricity: not available
  • Potable water: not available

The field is available for hourly, single and multi-day rentals.

Lower Leffelle Picnic Area

The picnic area is located just north of Phillips’ Field, close to restrooms, and a playground. Capacity is 50 people.

  • Alcohol use: May be approved as part of the reservation. (Alcohol must remain at the picnic area, not carried over to Phillips’ Field.)
  • Sound permit: not allowed in this area
  • Electricity: not available
  • Potable water: not available
  • Picnic tables: 5

Rose Garden Gazebo

The gazebo is located off Bush Street, between High Street and the Bush Museum, and is a beautiful location solely for weddings. The small, white gazebo sits among hundreds of beautiful rose bushes!

Please note: No more than 50 chairs fit directly in front of the gazebo. Chairs must be stable, cannot penetrate the sod, and must stay on the turf. The gazebo may not be decorated.

  • Alcohol use: not allowed in this area
  • Sound permit: not allowed in this area
  • Electricity: not available
  • Potable water: not available

Due to the nature of this historical area, the gazebo is available for weddings only, not receptions.

Soap Box Derby Track

The only official soap box derby track this side of the Mississippi, used for various events including soap box racing and skateboarding.

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