Salem budget crisis: City cancels summer events Movies in the Park, Kids Relays, First Friday concerts
Salem's popular summer programs including Movies at the Park and First Friday concerts have been canceled due to the projected budget deficit.
In a recent update to the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, staff with the parks and recreation division said they made the "difficult decision to not offer the Kids Relays, Movies in the Park, and First Friday concerts in 2024."
The events have attracted thousands of people to Riverfront and Bush's Pasture parks in recent years.
"We cannot start the work of contracting, planning and event production with the uncertainty ahead of us," city officials said in response to questions from the Statesman Journal. "The Proposed FY 2025 Budget reduces recreation program funding and this will impact staffing."
Salem faces a multi-million dollar budget shortfall. Cutting the Movies at the Park is expected to save $50,000. Cutting Kids Relays saves $30,000. First Friday concerts typically cost $14,400 in parks and recreation costs.
In 2023, each of the five Movies in the Park events drew about 1,200 people to Riverfront Park. First Friday concerts typically attracted 500 to 1,000 attendees, and about 1,400 students participated in the Kids Relays.
City parks and facilities remain popular destinations. Staff reported receiving a high volume of facility use requests daily, with summer being highly desirable.
In May, 11 event permits are finalized or pending. June has 16 and July, August and September each have 14.
The update stated additional cuts in staffing and programming also have been proposed.
Why hasn't Salem's 2024 summer recreation guide been posted?
City staff said limited reductions in both recreational seasonal staffing levels and the Youth Sports/Neighborhood program site locations will occur.
This could equate to the sports camps and neighborhood program being at three locations instead of four.
Parents hoping to sign their kids up for the popular, affordable Summer Parks programs and other 2024 recreation events like nature camps and sports encounter a webpage stating "No Recreation Program offered at this time, please check back later!"
According to city records, the 2024 Recreation Guide, which is typically open around spring break, was delayed due to budget challenges. The guide is expected to go out the week of April 22.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter at @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem cancels Movies in the Park, First Fridays due to budget crisis
