June Meeting News: Our June meeting was a busy one! We addressed and adopted the newly proposed NA bylaws, now posted on our website at www.westsalemna.com. We voted in favor of spending available Engagement Funds to help promote the NA to the community. Some of the funds will go to the redesign of the website, WSNA business cards, a table and banner to be used to promote WSNA at local events, and gift cards to be used in drawings at monthly NA meetings.
WS neighbors from the Orchard Heights/Onyx road area near Chapman Hill Elementary School, asked the NA for assistance on a street safety issue. That said, Chair Mike Freitas said that he would reach out to the city to see where their request is in the process and hopefully give them an idea of what comes next. For information on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan and process, go to https://www.cityofsalem.net/?navid=1667.
July Break: Just a friendly reminder that there is no WSNA meeting in the month of July. However, we’re gearing up for a busy August. Just a tickler:
National Night Out: First out of the gate is the much-anticipated National Night Out (NNO) event, scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th. NNO celebrates the partnership between residents and the police department and our combined efforts to make our neighborhoods safer and better places to live. It’s also a terrific way to meet your neighbors and make new friends! WSNA is wholly supportive of this partnership and will be attending as many of the WS events as possible during the evening. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your neighborhood or WSNA, please feel free to ask. WSNA members will be wearing identification and welcome your comments and questions.
Committees: In an effort to engage more fully in our community, WSNA is launching a new Community Engagement Committee (we fondly refer to it as The Happy Crap Committee). The goal is to lean into the community, supporting some of the splendid work already being done, and hopefully spearheading a few exciting projects of our own. We want to bring neighbors together in order to support, grow, and connect with our neighborhood as it evolves. WSNA is excited about this venture and happily invite you to join us. You can be a little-bit-involved, or a lot-a-bit- involved. It’s completely up to you. Either way, we invite your “happy” to join ours! If you’re interested, please email us at www.westsalem.com.
This unfortunate behavior is happening all too frequently across our community, and not just on open-ended streets. Intersections across West Salem are being targeted by the destructive behavior of a few. The act is damaging, obnoxiously loud, and dangerous. WSNA is adding this to our agenda in August and would like to hear your comments about how we can address this as a community. Our representative from the Salem Police Department will be in attendance to explain the process of reporting these issues, and what they can and cannot do to stop it.
Parks: Neighborhood Associations are eligible every year to apply for various grants to be used specifically for the enrichment of parks in their respective neighborhoods. The community of West Salem is home to fifteen unique and welcoming parks ranging in size from small to large. Some are well developed with sporting fields and other outdoor facilities; while others are undeveloped gems waiting to shine. Collaborating with local residents, the city, and multiple park boards, WSNA Parks Chair, Pamela Garland is fast becoming WS parks best friend. She’s spent countless hours walking and talking her way through each park, while enlisting ideas for improvement.
Two grant applications were recently submitted to Salem Parks Foundation (SPF) on behalf of WSNA. One is for the installation of a park bench to be placed on the NW side of Ellen Lane Park, allowing walkers and community gardeners a place to rest and reflect. The second application is for $6000 to be allocated towards the restoration and updating of playground equipment in West Salem Park, located in the Edgewater District of WS. This small park is nestled in an active neighborhood with lots of young and growing families. The existing playground equipment is geared towards children over five. The goal is to redesign the playground, recognizing the safety and recreational needs of little people of all ages. If accepted, WSNA will apply for additional funding from the Salem Parks Improvement Funds (SPIF) grant and collaborate with Salem Parks and Recreation staff to develop a plan for implementation. Fingers crossed!
Events: Salem Seekers is set to enchant West Salem’s Eola Park during the month of September with a flock of 30, beautifully blown glass birds by Glass Art Oregon. West Salem resident, Pamela Garland, successfully launched Salem Seekers last year in an effort to get Salem residents outside and into the natural beauty of our local parks. Salems Seekers was a huge hit last year and is set up to bring more smiles to the faces of lucky seekers. Be sure to mark your calendars for this event! https://www.facebook.com/p/Salem-Seekers.
Upcoming Meetings:
- NO JULY MEETING
- August 1st : 6:30 PM at Roths in West Salem. Follow the signs. Accessible by stairs and elevator.
WSNA Contact Information
- Website: www.westsalemna.com
- Email: westsalemna@gmail.com
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