Project Background
Marion County Parks recently sold Auburn Park to the Salem-Keizer School District. Auburn Park was purchased with Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) money, which comes with stipulations. When property is encumbered with LWCF dollars, that property becomes part of the National Park Services LWCF portfolio. As such, the value of this public land must be maintained even if the property is sold. When LWCF property is sold, the property seller must then convert land into LWCF encumbered property.
Marion County has underutilized land in the Macleay community that is desirable for development and use. The Macleay property was for many years a landfill site and transfer station, which was closed in the late 1990s. Currently, the site is closed to the public. The Marion County Parks Commission believes that this land could be a public park, providing all citizens access to a convenient, unique, and enjoyable outdoor experience. The County will seek support from the community for this project, in order to develop a park that fits the needs and desires of the local residents. Additionally, if the property is converted to a park it will fit within the mission and goals of the overall Marion County Parks system, stated below:
Marion County Parks will provide an interconnected, safe, accessible and well-maintained parks system that provides diverse recreation opportunities to residents and visitors, and preserves our County’s bountiful natural and historical resources.
By engaging the community in this project, the County seeks to achieve the following goals:
- Be a community partner
- Learn from the community to determine the best recreational uses for both local residents and potential visitors
- Gain buy-in for the development of this land as a public park
- Address concerns of the local community
- Educate about the benefits of public parks
Open House
NOTICE - We regret to inform you that we are postponing
the Open House for the Auburn Conversion Project. To ensure the health and
safety of our citizens and our staff, we feel it is best to not hold this event
at its schedule date and time. Please continue to check this page for updates.
The County will be hosting an Open House to provide an opportunity for community members to come provide input on this project. There was an Open House scheduled for March 19, but this has been postponed due to the Coronavirus.
If you have questions or would like any other information, call (503) 588-5036 or email Russ Dilley.
