Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge

The City of Salem and Salem's Urban Renewal Agency have been working toward a community vision of connecting three major urban parks and more than twenty miles of trails via two pedestrian bridges over the Willamette River.

“The bridge and trail and efforts to pursue funding for the acquisition of Minto Island are consistent with the Willamette River Legacy Program. The program aims to improve river access, expand parks in the Willamette Greenway, and build upon efforts to enhance this former industrial site for passive recreation, wildlife viewing, and habitat restoration.” - The City of Salem

Part of this goal was realized with the renovation of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge connecting West Salem’s Wallace Marine Park with downtown’s Riverfront Park. Completion of the Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge and adjoining multi-modal trail is the last critical link. For the design and permitting, the City of Salem hired OBEC Consulting Engineers with GreenWorks to complete the bridge design, perform needed studies, and apply for permits.

The detailed design work includes services that integrate context appropriate safe infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, and other trail users.

Conceptual Visualizations by GreenWorks

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Silver Falls State Park Nature Play Area

  Have you ever wanted to nap like a cougar, climb into an anthill, build a bird’s nest or dig for insects like a bear? All these activities will soon be possible at the Silver Falls State Park Nature Based Play Area. GreenWorks has started work on phase one of the interpretive natural play area in the Park. The idea grew out of the Oregon Parks and Recreation ‘Stepping Stones’ program with the goal to get kids outside and connected with nature.  A 2009 series of workshops with educators, OPRD staff, designers and of course kids, developed themes, ideas and concepts using the Stepping Stones methodology. When completed the Silver Falls Play area will consist of 16 animal themed play areas. Each play area is dedicated to a certain animal and designed for a specific age group of kids. The young and young at heart can explore a series of play areas situated in a fir and fern wonderland. The first phase of construction will include bear, ant, cougar and bird themed areas. GreenWorks provided OPRD with design support from schematic design workshops to construction documents and construction administration.