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MINTO-BROWN ISLAND PARK
MASTER PLAN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Minto-Brown Island Park?
Minto-Brown Island Park is a 1,205-acre nature park in Salem, Oregon.
The park has more than 20 miles of paved and unpaved trails and is a
favorite among Salem community members and visitors.
What is the Minto-Brown Island Park
Master Plan?
The purpose of the master plan is to identify proposed modifications
to the park. The proposed master plan is based on public input and
incorporates park, trail, and open space needs in a manner that supports
natural resource functions. The proposed plan is also consistent with
Salem’s ability to fund and maintain park modifications.
Why is there a need for a master plan for
Minto-Brown Island Park?
The last master plan for this park was completed 20 years ago, and the
population in Salem has increased substantially since then. There have
been a number of changes to the park over the past few years, including
the conversion of some of the farm land to conservation areas as well as
the acquisition of 300 additional acres. In addition, the Peter Courtney
Pedestrian Bridge, which connects from Riverfront Park, will potentially
change the number and flow of people into Minto-Brown Island Park.
The master plan provides a broad view of potential modifications with
future population growth in mind.
The master plan
provides a broad
view of potential
modifications.

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What are some of the key considerations
of the proposed Minto-Brown Island Park
Master Plan?
The proposed master plan for Minto-Brown Island Park calls for
connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians, natural area restoration
(e.g., addressing erosion, enhancing and protecting wildlife habitat,
reintroducing native plants, removing invasive species), and parking and
trail improvements.
Does the proposed master plan call for
containment of the off-leash dog park?
The off-leash dog park will continue to be a feature of the park. Proposed
improvements to the dog area include:
• Adding a wide planting buffer between the dog park and the
sidewalk along the park access road to separate users and minimize
potential conflicts;
• Adding a shelter to provide shade and rain protection;
• Improving restroom facilities; and
• Providing a reliable source of potable drinking water.
Perimeter fencing around the off-leash dog park is not feasible due to
Willamette River Floodplain development restrictions.
Does the proposed master plan call for
more public restrooms?
There are limited options for permanent restroom facilities due to
the fact that Minto-Brown Island Park lies in the Willamette River
Floodplain. However, the plan does recommend investigating composting
toilets to phase out the use of chemical toilets that are presently used at
parking lots 1, 2, and 3.
What does it mean that Minto-Brown
Island Park is designated as a “Natural
Area”?
Minto-Brown Island Park is a Natural Area, intended to protect and
preserve habitat and wildlife and to support passive recreation uses at a
level that does not conflict with or adversely impact natural resources.
The off-leash dog
area will continue to
be a central feature
of the park.

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The park is ecologically complex with many natural elements such as
creeks, sloughs, and wetlands as well as a variety of vegetation and
forests. Passive recreation uses in less-sensitive areas include bird-
watching, walking, running, and bicycling. There are also some historical
uses in the park that are less common to a Natural Area such as an off-
leash dog park and a playground, which will remain in place.
Why can’t part of Minto-Brown Island
Park be designated for active recreation,
e.g., have soccer or softball fields?
Minto-Brown Island Park is designated as a Natural Area in the Salem
Comprehensive Park System Master Plan. This designation does not
allow for active uses, such as field sports. Also, most of the park lies
within the Willamette River floodway, which restricts any facilities that
may hinder the flow of floodwater.
A Natural Area
is intended to protect
and preserve habitat
and wildlife.
MAP OF MINTO-BROWN ISLAND PARK
Eola Bend Park
Overflow Parking
Riverfront Park
Playground, Reservable
Shelter, Restrooms,
Drinking Fountain, and
Parking Lot (#3)
Old Cherry Orchard Audubon Riparian
Reserve
Peter Courtney
Pedestrian Bridge
(Under construction)
Oxbow Slough
Former Boise Site
Central Field
Willamette Slough
Homestead Road
Parking Lot (#4)
Park Entrance
from River Road S
Hazelnut Orchard
Parking Lot (#2)Dog Park
Entrance Parking Lot
(#1)
Duck Pond

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How has the public been able to provide
input into the future of Minto-Brown
Island Park?
Public meetings were announced through a combination of email and
social media notifications, newspaper and radio notices, mailers, posted
notices within the park, and the City of Salem website. The City held four
public meetings at Pringle Community Hall to gather input contributing
to the completion of the proposed master plan. Public meeting
attendance ranged from 50 to 75 people per meeting—comment forms
were collected at each meeting.
Online surveys were also used to solicit input from the public during the
planning process. Five online surveys were administered with response
rates ranging from 200 to 800 participants. The surveys were highly
successful, garnering a great deal of thoughtful feedback from the public.
Popular topics included keeping the park as natural as possible, restoring
disturbed areas, and developing ways to reduce trail use conflicts.
What is the status of the Minto-Brown
Island Park Master Plan?
A public hearing was held on Monday, October 12, 2015, following
which the Salem City Council unanimously moved to continue to
hold the public hearing open until November 23, 2015, for written
comment to allow Council (and the public) more time to review the
proposed master plan. Written comment may be submitted via email to
mintobrowninput@cityofsalem.net, and must be received no later
than 5 p.m. on November 23, 2015.
How will Minto-Brown Island Park
improvements be funded?
Funding has not yet been identified for future projects in Minto-Brown
Island Park. Funding is likely to come from grants and donations.
More Information
For more information, please visit:
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Residents/Parks/ParkTour/Pages/
MintoBrownIslandMasterPlan.aspx
For media inquiries, please contact:
Maureen A. Kenney, Public Relations Manager, City of Salem,
City Manager’s Office, 503-588-6363, mkenney@cityofsalem.net.
Learn more about
this master plan on
our website.