TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Gretchen Bennett, Community Services Director
SUBJECT:
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Northgate Park Improvements Grant Application to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program.
Ward(s): Ward 5
Councilor(s): Councilor Brown
Neighborhood(s): Northgate Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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SUMMARY:
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Northgate Park is a neighborhood park in northeast Salem that provides recreational amenities including a splash pad, playground, sport court, and picnic areas. The voter-approved 2022 Safety and Livability Bond includes funding to construct a new restroom and rehabilitate park pathways. The City is proposing to apply to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program to leverage this investment and expand the scope of improvements to include splash pad reconstruction, sport court improvements, and accessibility upgrades. A City Council resolution is required as part of the grant application process.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution 2026-15, authorizing the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant to fund improvements at Northgate Park?
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt Resolution 2026-15, authorizing the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant to fund improvements at Northgate Park.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The voter-approved 2022 Safety and Livability Bond includes funding for capital improvements at Northgate Park, including construction of a new restroom facility and rehabilitation of existing park pathways. These investments are intended to improve park accessibility, enhance user comfort, and support park use.
Recognizing the opportunity to expand the scope and impact of these improvements, the City is exploring an application to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program (LGGP). Funded through Oregon State Lottery revenues, the LGGP provides financial assistance to local governments for the acquisition and development of parks and outdoor recreation facilities throughout Oregon.
Through this grant opportunity, the City is proposing to bundle additional park improvements with the bond-funded restroom and pathway work, creating a coordinated project that delivers broader community benefits while leveraging external funding.
Potential project elements that may be included in the grant-funded scope include:
• Reconstruction or replacement of the existing splash pad facility.
• Rehabilitation or reconstruction of the multi-use sport court.
• Park entry and gateway enhancements to improve park visibility and access.
• Supporting site improvements necessary to integrate these elements with the bond-funded restroom and pathway improvements.
The LGGP large grant category allows applicants to request up to $1 million in grant funding, with a required 50 percent match. The City anticipates providing the required match through Safety and Livability Bond funding associated with the planned restroom development and pathway improvements. Because the bond-funded work is expected to exceed $1 million, the City would be eligible to request up to the full $1 million grant limit to support the potential project elements described above.
Applications for the LGGP large grant category are due on June 5, 2026. If awarded, the grant would significantly expand the available capital funding for improvements at Northgate Park, allowing the City to deliver a more comprehensive project while maximizing the value of existing bond-funded investments.
The Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will be asked to consider endorsement of the grant application at its May 14 meeting. Staff have also begun engaging the Northgate Neighborhood Association and other park stakeholders in the development of the project concept and anticipate additional neighborhood engagement regarding potential splash pad replacement features, as well as possible reprogramming of the sport court area to better reflect current community needs.
Following review of all applications, the Local Government Grant Program Advisory Committee will establish funding recommendations for consideration by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. Final award decisions are expected in fall 2026.
If awarded, the City plans to combine the planning, design, and construction of the grant-funded improvements with the scheduled bond-funded restroom and pathway upgrades to ensure a unified project delivery. To meet the two-year project completion deadline required under the grant program-ending in late 2028-the City will accelerate delivery of the bond-funded improvements by approximately one year.
Initial project planning and design will also include community engagement targeting nearby residents and park users to help inform key project details, such as options for reprogramming the sports courts and the selection of new splash pad equipment.
BACKGROUND:
Northgate Park is a neighborhood park serving residents in north Salem. The park provides recreational amenities including a splash pad, playground, sport court, open lawn areas, picnic facilities, and pedestrian pathways.
Over time, several park amenities have aged and require reinvestment to maintain functionality and accessibility as well as to address escalating maintenance and repair issues.
The City has a long history of successfully leveraging state grant programs to enhance Salem’s park system. Since 1968, the City has completed numerous projects using funding administered by the OPRD. Most recently, the City has successfully utilized LGGP grants to supplement local funding for key projects, including the recently completed Geer Park skatepark and the ongoing Riverfront Park playground improvements.
Rob Romanek
Parks Planning Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2026-15