Spotlight: Salem, OR SHANNAH WERNER
True or False: New York’s Central Park is larger (more acres) than the three parks in Salem, OR put together. Surprisingly, the answer is “False”. Between the 1200 acres on Minto Brown Island Park, Riverfront Park (23 acres) and Wallace Marine Park (114 acres), those three parks cover more acres than Central Park (843 acres). By the fall of 2016, two pedestrian bridges will connect all three parks and the east and west sides of Salem. The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge (currently under construction) crosses the Willamette River that splits the city east to west while connecting Minto Brown Island Park to Riverfront Park. To the north, the Union Street Railroad Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, a repurposed railroad bridge, connects Wallace Marine Park in West Salem to downtown on the east side of the river. The two bridges create an urban recreation area of more than 1300 acres. To the south of downtown and Willamette University is Bush’s Pasture Park, sitting on almost 91 acres. The park has a 1.3-mile bark dust trail loop for running as well as many paved paths for runners to create their own routes. The park is also home to the Willamette University Bearcats football, track and field and baseball teams. Further east of Salem is Silver Falls State Park (about 25 miles east on Highway 22) where visitors can run, walk or hike past amazing waterfalls on 25 miles of backcountry trails. On November 7-8, the Silver Falls Trail Runs features a 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, and 7-miler. These races are completely sold out for 2015 and demand continues to be high for the event each year, set at this amazingly scenic state park.
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
While Salem is not typically considered a running or bikingfriendly city, things are changing in the state’s capital. “The city of Salem and the communities throughout Marion and Polk Counties have embraced running events,” said Brian Chung, Sports and Events Sales Manager at Travel Salem. “They understand the economic impact of such events and are interested in hosting more running events.” The biggest running event of the year in downtown Salem is the High Street Hustle. This year’s event on August 15 had more than 1100 registrants for the 8K, 5K, and 1K Kids’ Fun Run. “Hosted by Gallagher Fitness Resources, New Balance, Salem Health, the City of Salem and over 50 local business sponsors, the inaugural High Street Hustle was a huge success,” said Susan Gallagher, co-race director. “Our goal was to create a signature community wellness event that would bring the citizens of Salem and the surrounding area together to raise money and awareness for heart disease prevention and education in Marion and Polk Counties. With a blend of 70’s silliness, costumes, and fun, we brought seasoned competitors and first-time event participants together to Hustle to Prevent Heart Disease.” Gallagher and her husband, John, founded Gallagher Fitness Resources, THE specialty running shoe store in Salem, in 1997. Since then, they have been the foundation for the running and walking community, offering running and walking clinics, expert shoe fittings, advice, and group runs. “Gallagher Fitness Resources bridges the gap between the seasoned competitive runner and the grass-roots beginner,” Susan said. “The free, family-friendly On Your Feet Friday series is in its 4th year. The Women’s Beginning Walking and Running Clinics and the