Parks Department

Salem has several City parks to provide recreational activities and visual beauty.  The largest park, Bryan Memorial Park, is on the north side of town just west of North Broadway.  The park was named after William Jennings Bryan, a former U.S. Secretary of State and unsuccessful Presidential candidate among other accolades.  Bryan Park has several shelters that can be reserved for family reunions and other events, the Salem Family Aquatic Center, men’s softball field, four tennis courts, a small skate park, two horseshoe pits, several mini basketball courts, playground equipment, public restrooms, a band stage with amphitheater seating, a walking trail, a dog park and an 18 hole disc golf course.  Improvements planned for the park in the near future include a new all-inclusive playground area, batting cages, exercise equipment and a gaga ball pit.

Adjacent to the Bryan Park on the east side is the Bryan statue garden park.  This small area includes a statue of William Jennings Bryan created by Gutzon Borglum of Mt. Rushmore fame.  It currently has another sculpture created by a local artist and has some beautiful landscaping and plantings managed by a volunteer group called the Daffy Dill Garden Club.

Just north of the Bryan Park, is the City Reservoir with a 2-mile walking trail around the northwest corner of the lake.  The lake is often used for fishing from shore and with limited horsepower boats, canoeing and kayaking. 

Tully Park has two softball fields for youth programs with a batting cage and is located just off of N. Shelby Street and is adjacent to the East Lawn Cemetery.  Youth soccer programs have also called Tully Park home.

Smaller parks are scattered throughout the community and have some playground equipment for youth to enjoy.

Salem also has a privately owned Little League complex with 6 fields for various age groups. The Salem Community High School has another baseball field, a football field and track facility that is often used by local residents to get their walk and run exercise workouts.  There is a skating rink near the high school.  Just south of town there is an 18-hole golf course just off of South Marion Street and the Marion County Fairgrounds which has a grandstand, racing track, exhibit facilities and stock barns.