michael slater

Urban Planning, Landscape Design & Arboriculture

Grounded

An occasional commentary on the built and natural environments of Salem, the Willamette Valley, and the Wider World.

I write about how we shape the places where we live—from Salem land-use policy and urban development to parks, trees, biodiversity and gardening in the Willamette Valley and the wider world. Drawing on my work in planning, landscape design, and arboriculture, I look at both public policy and the landscapes immediately around us.

Wendy Kroger Park

Updates from Michael Slater on Wendy Kroger Park in Salem, including community stewardship, park improvements, oak woodland, and camas habitat.

Starting a Friends of the Park Group

Several years ago, I co-founded the Mission Street Parks Conservancy (MSPC) and led it for three years. MSPC helps take care of Bush's Pasture Park, and particularly its historical garden areas. The organization and park are thriving. Recently, I've taken an interest in my local park, Wendy Kroger Park. It's a 7-acre neighborhood park that includes an oak woodland, camas field, stream and riparian area, walking paths, a large lawn, basketball court, and playground. The park h

Michael Slater

Apr 30

A Kalapuya Presence at Wendy Kroger Park?

My neighborhood park is Wendy Kroger Park, five blocks west of my house. It was never fully developed and features a large oval lawn, a few pieces of play equipment, a basketball court, and walking paths. It is also home to a remnant Oregon white oak woodland with trees that predate western settlement in Salem. Pringle Creek, which used to be salmon-bearing, runs through the park. This week I noticed a grove of Camas quamash in bloom under the oaks. Camas quamash is a spring