Bush Pasture Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bush Pasture Park is a popular destination in the state of Oregon, located in the city of Salem.


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Summary

There are several reasons to visit the park, including its beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and recreational facilities. The park spans over 90 acres and features many interesting points of interest, such as the Bush House Museum, the Bush Barn Art Center, and the Salem Art Association.

One of the major draws of Bush Pasture Park is its stunning gardens, which are comprised of several distinct areas, including a rose garden, a rhododendron garden, and a Japanese garden. Visitors can enjoy strolling through these gardens and admiring the wide variety of plants and flowers.

Another notable feature of the park is the Bush House Museum, which is housed in a historic mansion that was built in 1878. The museum contains numerous exhibits and artifacts related to the history of Salem and the Bush family, who were prominent local figures.

In addition to these attractions, Bush Pasture Park also offers a range of recreational facilities, including several sports fields, walking trails, and picnic areas. Visitors can enjoy playing sports or simply relaxing in the park's peaceful surroundings.

The best time of year to visit Bush Pasture Park depends on what you're interested in seeing. The gardens are most vibrant in the spring and summer months, while the fall is a great time to see the changing leaves. The park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy its many features no matter when they choose to visit.

Overall, Bush Pasture Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy nature, history, and culture in the state of Oregon.

       

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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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