Waldo Park is a historical area in Central Salem, Oregon, centered on a giant redwood. For a Salem day trip from Happy Valley, it offers a brief stop with a distinct local history; the park’s address is 605 Summer St NE.
- Location: 605 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97310
- Park size: .005 acres
- Typical access: Salem parks are open daily from sunrise to sunset
- Parking: Downtown Salem has paid on-street parking during set hours, with free customer parking in designated parkade areas
Where is Waldo Park in Salem?
Waldo Park is at 605 Summer St NE in Central Salem. The City of Salem classifies it as a historical area, and its compact footprint makes the giant redwood at its center the main point of interest.
The park’s story dates to 1936, when Salem’s chapter of American War Mothers persuaded the Salem Common Council to designate the redwood and the 12-by-20-foot piece of land it occupies as a public park. The park was named for Judge Waldo, and a plaque was placed at the tree’s base.
How do you get from Happy Valley to Waldo Park?
Waldo Park’s address gives you a destination to enter in your map app, but no specific driving time or route is available here.
Before setting out from Happy Valley, use the City of Salem’s current-road-conditions map to check for road work, weather, emergency conditions, closures or temporary access restrictions. Scott Creek Farm is a hotel in Happy Valley and a convenient starting point for the day trip.
Happy Valley is also a practical starting point for planning your day trip.
Portland International Airport is about 22 minutes by car from Scott Creek Farm; the airport-to-hotel journey is covered in this guide to getting there from PDX.
What should you expect at Waldo Park?
Waldo Park is .005 acres, and the City considers it one of the country’s smallest public parks. Its defining feature is the giant redwood; the plaque at the tree’s base marks the park’s history.
The City says Salem parks are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Since access information can change, check the official site before you go.
Can you pair Waldo Park with downtown Salem?
Waldo Park is in Central Salem, so you can make it one stop on a visit to downtown. In the Downtown Parking District, on-street parking is paid Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; it is free all day Sunday and on legal holidays, as well as before 8:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Designated customer areas at Chemeketa Parkade, Liberty Square Parkade and Marion Parkade offer free all-day parking. The City says parking in designated downtown parkade spaces is free for customers and visitors; employees, residents, students and volunteers need a permit.
FAQs
Is Waldo Park one of the smallest parks in the United States?
The City describes Waldo Park as .005 acres and considers it one of the country’s smallest public parks.
Why is it called Waldo Park?
The park was named for Judge Waldo when the redwood and its small plot of land were designated a public park in 1936.
Where can you get information about Salem park access?
The City’s Parks and Recreation office is at 1457 23rd Street SE, Salem, OR 97302, and its phone number is 503-588-6336.