SALEM'S ISLAND IN THE CITY
Less than a five minute drive from downtown Salem sits a bit of rustic paradise
on the edge of the city. Minto-Brown Island Park and Wildlife Refuge is
a park that works on a variety of levels, having a bit of something for
just about everyone. 900 acres of grassy stretches, orchards, waterways,
sloughs and ponds containing 20 miles worth of paved and unpaved pathways
creates a haven for the bicyclist, in-line skater, jogger, wildlife viewer,
the scenery buff and the average exercise-craving dog. There's playground
equipment for the kiddies, docks and viewing platforms overlooking the various
bodies of water and an abundance of thickly forested areas set smack-dab
in the middle of some beautiful wide open spaces.
It's a popular spot for exercising, long peaceful walks, picnics and many
of the usual amenities Oregonians live for. But Minto-Brown also goes a
bit deeper than all that. There's plenty of opportunities for the explorer
who wants to trek through hidden pathways and find secret groves, or those
who are willing to brave the entire length of one of Minto-Brown's long,
long pathways and find a few concealed, even startling treasures along the
way.
It's a park for all seasons, too. No matter what the weather, you'll find
Salemites out walking the dog, jogging or even biking it. This past November's
rainy, stormy weather didn't keep them away, nor did the shortened daylight
hours. At 4:50 p.m., on several of the month's wettest days - with some
portions of the park literally underwater and the dark closing fast - there
were still at least two or three joggers just beginning their daily routine
through one of Minto's long paths.
Minto-Brown Island Park is so named because originally it was two islands
on the Willamette River. The area lies on a flood plain, and back at the
beginning of the century the two islands were owned by a Mr. Brown and a
Mr. Minto, respectively. One major flood left so much soil deposited that
when the waters receded, the two islands became one large land mass connected
to the shore, in what is now south Salem.
This creates an interesting mix of waterways running throughout the park.
One of the main paved pathways, (the A & B paths), runs along the Willamette
until it eventually enters a deep, thickly forested area. This eventually
veers inland and around in a loop, through orchards, grassy fields and other
streams. But even as this path becomes densely covered in green, it still
runs along the river for awhile before going inland. It's here, during the
summer months, where you can find rough little pathways leading out onto
a surreal, bleached-white, rocky shore area which allows you to travel next
to the river for a long, long time - even beyond park boundaries.
On nicer days, the river path is often filled with boaters zipping by. This
pathway also yields some beautiful sunsets, and during the summer, wild
raspberries.
From the main parking lot at the heart of the park, the river path (A &
B paths) is to the North. Another set of paths run to the South from this
parking area. Here, you can go straight, onward to the other end of the
park (about 2 miles), or go to the right on what is called the ``blue loop.''
This also leads to the other end of the park but loops back around. This
path contains a bridge and guides you to a few other wondrous hidden spots,
if you keep your eyes open. There is a pond here with a viewing dock. In
the middle of the pond sits an angular, moss-covered island which sometimes
resembles odd, towering rock structures in remote parts of China - although
a shorter version. But if you travel around the pond a ways, you'll find
hints of trails lurking in the dense trees. These will lead you to various
small outcroppings of land, which yield some rather striking, hidden views
of the rest of the pond, as well as an abundance of places and structures
to explore.
Granted, you'll have to wait for summer and spring when the water levels
go down to find this. During extremely long stretches of hot weather, however,
the water recedes enough and you can even walk out to the island.
The rest of the loop also yields a few surprises. You'll find this pond
may not actually be a pond, for example, as it stretches and meanders throughout
the park like a small river. There are some interesting little viewpoints
along the way too, with gnarled, moss-covered limbs appearing in weird shapes,
odd outcroppings of land and a hidden, rolling, rock quarry tucked away
along this shore. One end of the loop winds up in a parking lot at the other
end of Minto-Brown. One half of the loop is paved, while the other is not.
If you don't choose the blue loop, the paved pathway straight ahead will
eventually bring you along another stream, as well as great open expanses
to the South. These open expanses are capped by another stream, where large
bushes and dense trees sometimes produce more hidden paths to explore.
Along this route, you'll find an ancient car wreck jammed against a tree
on the slope of another stream. The car is obviously from the `30s or `40s
and nobody seems to know anything about it. Its rusted, spooky frame seems
to lose a little part or change after every winter storm. But sometimes
in the summer, when the water is low enough, you can inexplicably find parts
of old soda pop bottles half-buried beneath the wreck. Old-style logos of
7-UP, Coca-Cola, and the long-vanished Fanta brand soft drink can be found.
Minto-Brown is a wildlife refuge for Canada Geese who live here in great
numbers at certain times of the year. In fact, Gene Larson, park supervisor,
said through the Fish, Wildlife and Game Commission, a farmer leases out
parts of the property and plants corn as well as cover crops for the geese.
The park also allows bird watchers plenty of opportunity to catch sight
of various birds traveling through the area.
Minto-Brown is literally a park for everyone and their dog. Try grabbing
some friends and some pizza to-go and head for the rocky shoreline on the
pathways by the river. Try ducking into what looks like a former deer path
in the middle of dense shrubbery and get ready to experience something new.
Or simply sit on one of the parks many benches and take in the sunset. Whatever
your pleasure, Minto-Brown probably has it.
Details, details
Minto-Brown Island Park is located on River Road South in Salem. If you're
coming into Salem from the South or the North, take the Mission Street exit
off I-5 and head east towards downtown. Continue on Mission until it ends
at Commercial Street. Take a left (to the South), go four blocks and turn
right at Owens Street, which is the next light. Owens soon turns into River
Road, and the park entrance is half a mile after that.
From the East, the directions are the same because Highway 22 becomes Mission
Street once inside Salem. From the West, turn right off the West Salem bridge,
onto Commercial Street, through downtown and follow Commercial about half
a mile until you come to Owens.
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contents copyright Andre' Hagestedt
- andrehage@navicom.com