Al Moody Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Al Moody Park is located in the city of Salem, Oregon, and is a popular destination for visitors of all ages.


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Summary

The park offers a range of activities and features that make it a must-visit place when in the area.

One of the main reasons to visit Al Moody Park is to enjoy the outdoor space and facilities. There are several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, including tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and a skate park. Visitors can also explore the walking trails that wind through the park.

Another popular attraction is the water park, which features two large pools and a range of water slides and fountains. The water park is open during the summer months and is a great place to cool off from the hot Oregon sun.

For those interested in history and culture, Al Moody Park is home to several notable landmarks. The park includes a World War II memorial, a Vietnam War memorial, and a statue of Oregon pioneer Jason Lee.

Visitors can also take advantage of the park's location along the Willamette River. The river offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking.

Interesting facts about the park include its namesake, Al Moody, who was a prominent businessman and philanthropist in Salem. Moody donated the land for the park, which was originally a gravel pit.

The best time of year to visit Al Moody Park depends on personal preference. The water park is only open during the summer months, but the park is accessible year-round for other activities. Visitors may prefer to avoid the peak summer season when the park can get crowded and hot. Spring and fall are generally good times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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