May 10, 2023

Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $1.2 Million to Marion County Parks for Fire Recovery

Bear Creek Park, Minto Park, Niagara Park, North Fork Park, Pack Saddle Park, Salmon Falls Park and more to benefit

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Marion County Parks will receive a combined nearly $1.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair and restore parks damaged in the 2020 Labor Day fires.

“Enjoying our neighborhood parks and the outdoors is hardwired into the DNA of Oregon families, and while our state continues to make progress recovering our natural treasures after the catastrophic 2020 Labor Day fires, these efforts have been challenging and expensive,” Wyden said. “I’m glad to see the federal government provide crucial support for Marion County to repair and restore some of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved parks.”

“Many of the wildly popular county parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas in the Santiam Canyon were completely devastated by the 2020 Labor Day fires,” Merkley said. “This funding for Marion County will allow them to continue moving forward to rebuild and reopen these areas with new and improved recreational amenities, helping residents to reconnect with some of their favorite places.”

Marion County Parks plans to use the funds to restore facilities in Bear Creek Park, Minto Park, Niagara Park, North Fork Park, Pack Saddle Park, and Salmon Falls Park, including fee collection stations and roads. Work also includes replacing destroyed log seating, picnic tables, tent pads, staircases, signposts, signage, boardwalks, cluster boards, restroom facilities and road surfaces.

“Marion County is grateful for the support from FEMA and our federal partners towards the restoration of these six beloved parks in the Santiam Canyon. We look forward to providing a new outdoor experience for everyone to enjoy well into the future,” said Marion County Parks Program Supervisor Thomas Kissinger

“We are thankful for these FEMA dollars toward the long-term restoration of six parks that were destroyed in the 2020 Labor Day fires. We will continue to look for additional funding support to complete the recovery,” said Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron.