The Statesmen-Journal reported today that the Salem Art Fair has made changes to better protect the Oregon white oaks during the event. Reporter Stacy Loew writes:
“The Salem Art Association has put on the annual three-day festival for seven decades, growing it from a handful of local artists near the Bush Barn Art Center, to a major event drawing 200 vendors and 36,000 attendees.”
But a May 2019 study completed for the Mission Street Parks Conservancy found that the festival is a major contributor to soil compaction and root damage done by pedestrians and vehicles in the upper park.”
“Now, the organization’s city-issued facility-use permit will require it to take specific steps to keep people, vehicles and equipment off the roots as much as possible.”