By Mary Owen
Stayton’s nine parks should get a good workout this summer with the lure of free, family and fun entertainment.
Bob Parsons, senior parks maintenance operator, manages about $154,000 a year to maintain Stayton’s park system, including wages for himself and a small cadre of seasonal workers.
“And any projects that creep up,” Parson added. “We have also applied for grants for improvements with the help of Public Works Director Dave Kinney.”
Dennis Vietzke, Parks Board chairman, oversees a six-member volunteer board that includes himself, Raechelle Brown as vice-chair, Dan Brummer, Larry Emery, Greg McWayne and Griffin Green. Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. in Stayton Public Library.
“Volunteers save the city money and man hours,” said Angeline Lehnert, the city’s community participation coordinator. Lehnert encourages residents to volunteer their time by checking out the “get involved” section of the city’s website, www.staytonoregon.gov.
Stayton parks include:
• Community Center – Located along the Salem Ditch off of First Avenue, this 7.5-acre park contains the Community Center building, Stayton Family Memorial Pool, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, playground, library, parking, a picnic area and an open recreation field.
• Pioneer – A 5.4- acre community park at 7th and Marion streets. The park is heavily used for weddings, Santiam SummerFest and other events. Amenities include a playground, picnic shelter and tables, basketball court and restrooms.
• Riverfront – This park boasts 52.2 acres of natural beauty. Entrance is just south of the Stayton Water Plant and is open to foot traffic only. A chemical toilet onsite.
• Neitling – Adjacent to Pioneer, this 4-acre park has horseshoe pits and grassy areas.
• Wilderness – Trails meander through a 22.7-acre natural setting. It is accessed from the Jordan Bridge to the Santiam diversion. There are no restrooms.
• Northslope – A 1.1-acre community park off of Fern Ridge Road at the east end of Dawn Drive. Amenities include a play structure, barbecue pit, picnic tables and a basketball court. No restrooms.
• Santiam – With 2.3 acres, Santiam is at 3rd Avenue and Wildflower Drive. The existing park includes access to a riparian area for wildlife viewing, playground equipment, looped concrete pathways. Chemical toilets are available in summer.
• Quail Run – In northwestern Stayton, between Eagle Street and Meadowlark Drive, Quail Run has 2 acres. Amenities include a basketball half-court, benches, paved pathway, playground equipment, and baseball backstop. Chemical toilets.
• Westown – Located in West Stayton on Westpark Court, the 1-acre park has a half basketball court, two picnic tables and two play areas. No restrooms.
The city also has a Community Garden at Fourth and Florence. No spaces are available, but residents can stop by and take a look. The new pedestrian bridge will begin from Fourth Avenue.
All Stayton parks, the Community Center and Jordan Bridge are available for rent, allowing exclusive use of an entire park. Cost is $500 with a refundable $500 deposit. Jordan Bridge can be reserved for a minimum of three hours for $80; each additional hour is $15. Electricity is also available at the bridge with a $25 key deposit at time of rental. All applications forms are available on the city website.
For details or for park rental, call 503-769-2919 or contact Angie Lehnert at [email protected].
