The City of Salem asked the Minto-Brown Island Park research and design
studio, led by University of Oregon Landscape Architecture Professor Deni
Ruggeri, to provide a new interpretive trail plan for Minto-Brown Island Park
located in Salem, Oregon. The primary considerations, as given by the City of
Salem, for the development of this interpretive trail plan were to investigate new
trails and connections that would facilitate improved way-finding within the park,
provide interpretive opportunities and increased access to the Natural Resource
and Conservation Service (NRCS) restoration areas and the Willamette River,
and increase pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to downtown Salem via a
future bridge and easement linking the northern perimeter of Minto-Brown Island
Park to Riverfront Park.
In order to develop a proposal for a new interpretive trail plan, this studio
launched an intensive investigation to understand the natural and cultural fabric
that defines Minto-Brown Island Park at present, and the potential to enhance
the value of the park for Salem’s present and future residents. This investigation
revealed a multitude of opportunities to engage the community of Salem in a
variety of park experiences, both new and traditional, that would help generate
support for, and increase awareness of, the value of this park to the city. These
exciting investigations led to the decision to develop and propose a new master
plan for Minto-Brown Island Park in conjunction with the development of the
interpretive trail plan.
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
Sustainable City Year Program Contact Info
Megan Banks
Sustainable City Year Program Manager
mbanks@uoregon.edu
(541) 346-6395
University Faculty Contact
Deni Ruggeri
Landscape Architecture
Local Government / Community Contact
Courtney Knox
Urban Development Senior Project Manager