Major upgrades coming to John Neal Memorial County Park

ALBANY — John Neal Memorial County Park — Linn County’s first park — will get numerous upgrades over the next two years, Commissioners Roger Nyquist and Sherrie Sprenger agreed Tuesday morning, accepting a grant of up to $521,000 from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Commissioner Tucker was not present.

Parks Director Stacey Whaley said the grant will be a match of in-kind labor and other project components provided by Linn County Parks & Recreation Department staff. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1,042,000.

Whaley said she plans to spread costs over two years and to use the Parks Department’s share of Transient Lodging Taxes and RV licensing fees.

The 30-acre John Neal Memorial Park is at 820 Neal Park Road, Lyons, and borders the North Santiam River. It was built in the early 1960s.

The park’s location next to the river makes it an excellent spot to enjoy rafting, fishing, tubing and more.

The park has 36 camping sites, with 11 sites as part of a popular “group camp”.  Additional improvements will include accessibility features including bridges on the trail around the ponds, a multi-use court, paths connecting various park amenities, and several additional sites to accommodate longer modern RVs.  As part of the improvements, the sand filter portion of the water system that has reached the end of its lifespan will also be replaced.There currently is one covered shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. A second covered shelter and patio will be added.

In her written report, Whaley noted, “This will hopefully extend the life of this beautiful park under the trees for another 50 years.”

The park was dedicated on August 11, 1963.

The original 12.6 acres was donated in April 1962 by Mrs. John Neal, a local school teacher, in honor of her husband, who died in 1960.

According to a story in the Albany Democrat-Herald, Mr. Neal recalled how her husband once commented while sitting on the banks of the river, “someday I’d like to see this land go to the people around here.”

She was committed to seeing his wish come true.

The Neals farmed some 226 acres in the Lyons area and Mrs. Neal, who received a teaching degree in 1910 from Willamette University, was still substitute teaching at the time the park was dedicated.

The newspaper story also noted that Dale Prichard, who was the Lyons area representative on the newly formed Linn County Parks Commission, was “given much credit for development of the memorial park …”

Also, a new rustic style sign for the park with “routed letters and an outline of Linn County” was designed by John MacWade.

In other business, the Commissioners:

• Authorized Roadmaster Wayne Mink’s purchase of a Peterbilt Tractor Cab and chassis from Jackson Group Peterbilt for $169,756.
• Were told by Medical Director Dr. Adam Brady that there were 52 births — 20 girls and 32 boys — and 85 deaths in September. 22% of the deaths were tobacco related and 16% of the deaths were associated with diabetes. There were two known suicides.
• Approved a two-year extension of a contract with Summit Food Services to provide meals to Linn County Jail inmates. The new expiration date will be July 1, 2026. There will be a 12.5% increase in food pricing, resulting in $94,000 increased costs over the two-year period.
• Approved a four-year contract extension with Telmate to scan inmate mail. An off-site facility will scan mail from friends and family and then send the data electronically to the jail. The process eliminates the potential of staff being exposed to illicit substances sent through the regular mail system.
• Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Albany Partnership Housing to provide property management services to clients at Broadway House, while Linn County will recent office space there. Linn County will pay $750 per month for management fees, $250 per month for maintenance and $550 per month for office space rental. The agreement has a maximum value of $100,000 and will run from July 1, 2024 to June 30,2029.
• Approved a Student Affiliation Agreement with Boise State University. Linn County will provide internship opportunities with Boise State students working toward their Masters Level Mental Health degrees.
• Approved amending an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oregon Health Authority, increasing the maximum amount from $100,000 to $150,000 to provide staffing that will assist families with navigating the health care system.
• Approved the purchase of a generator through an Interstate Cooperative Procurement Agency (Sourcewell) to be installed at the 7^th Street Medical Building, which the county is remodeling into a crisis resource center and Linn County Health Department building.
• Received the Juvenile Department report from Director Torri Lynn. There were 28 youth held for 228 total days in September. Six youth from Lincoln County were held for 93 days and four youth from Benton County were held for 36 total days. There were 62 referrals and 184 youth in the Probation Unit or pending court. 30 are assessed as high-risk. There are 124 youth in the Community Programs Unit serving informal probation and the Intervention Specialist is working with 131 young people.
• After a public hearing, the commissioners approved a Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment, a Zoning Map Amendment and a Code Text Amendment for a 5.06-acre property at 32909-32925 Diamond Hill Drive near Halsey adjacent to Interstate 5. U.S. Market Enterprises plans to build a truck and auto service center, convenience store and fast food restaurant along with a 9,900-square-foot building.
• Announced that the Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, instead of the customary Tuesday, Nov. 19. 

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.