Minto-Brown Island Park

Minto-Brown Island Park is the largest park in Salem, Oregon, United States.HistoryIn 1857, Isaac Brown established his home on what came to be known as Brown’s Island, near the west bank of the Willamette River. There Brown raised livestock, farm produce, and tobacco. In 1867, John Minto purchased and cleared land on an island near the east bank, turning it into productive farmland. That island would later come to be named Minto Island. Due to flooding the land those two men settled are no longer true islands. The area is still subject to periodic flooding, which prevents it from being developed. Instead, restoration projects have added thousands of trees and converted many agricultural acres to native plantings. This prevents soil erosion, improves wildlife habitat, and promotes water quality.FeaturesThe park has a playground, a reservable shelter, walking, jogging and bike trails, picnic areas, a dog park, several fishing spots, and a paddle boat area.Future developmentin 2013, a purchase of of Boise Cascade property was added to the existing 898acre park for a total of. The property will be the landing point for the Peter Courtney Pedestrian Bridge from Riverfront Park, scheduled for completion in 2016. As of 2015, additional paved trails are being planned and a new master plan is being developed.