Park Improvements Powered by Community Support:

One of the big changes for the McKay Park Improvement Project includes the recent installation of two durable, standalone single-occupancy public restrooms on Monday, October 5. These facilities are built to meet the highest standards of safety, cleanliness and accessibility, addressing common challenges faced by public restrooms in busy urban and recreational areas. Durable and easier to maintain, these restrooms will serve McKay Park visitors for a long time. They're here because of Salem residents' support the 2025 local option levy, making park maintenance and improvements like this and more possible.

Inspired by a pioneering restroom model first introduced in Portland in 2008, these units are strategically placed and constructed to maximize natural surveillance, encourage community stewardship, control access and maintain a welcoming, secure environment. These restrooms are a vital amenity that support visitors and events, enhancing the overall experience and livability of the community park.

Additional improvements from the McKay Park Improvement Project include:

• Renovating the natural turf soccer fields with new drainage and irrigation
• Building a reservable picnic shelter that includes water and electricity hookups to allow food truck permitted events
• Upgrading pedestrian and bicycle pathways for better accessibility
• Creating more open green space by replacing the former playground area with a lawn and new shade trees.

The park's eastern parking lot and fields remain closed during construction, with reopening anticipated in spring 2027.