City of Salem Launches Website for Pioneer Village Project
The City of Salem has launched the website for the proposed Pioneer Village signature park project, being undertaken in the lead up to the City’s quadricentennial in 2026. The proposed project would relocate Pioneer Village from its current location at Forest River Park to the current Camp Naumkeag site. The website can be found at www.salem.com/pioneervillage.
The new site for Pioneer Village will help protect the historic amenity from climate change and will incorporate resiliency elements itself. In addition, the new location provides the opportunity to expand the area and topics of historical interpretation, while also allowing for upgrades for accessibility.
The new Pioneer Village would incorporate additional representation and educational opportunities specific to the area’s indigenous history and the Massachusett tribe. The history of both Camp Naumkeag and Pioneer Village itself will also be represented and interpreted in the proposed project. The new Pioneer Village site will additionally provide an opportunity for linking to the historic Fort Lee site, allowing for additional interpretative and preservation opportunities.
The project website has extensive information about the proposed project, including presentations, an FAQ, timeline, updates, and more. As additional information and plans are developed for the project they will be added to the site, which also includes a link for those who would like to ask questions about the project.
“I would like to thank the many historians, preservationists, landscape architects, engineers, and community stakeholders who have been helping to advise and guide the City on the development of this momentous project,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Of all our signature park projects, the Pioneer Village effort most clearly reflects our Salem 400 goals by preserving and improving a treasured public space for future generations, while also elevating the indigenous history of Salem, investing in sustainability and resiliency, and improving accessibility. I invite all Salem residents to explore the new website, get involved in this landmark initiative, and, ultimately, join us in 2026 when we celebrate its completion.”
Salem’s signature parks initiative (www.salem.com/signatureparks) is a major investment in the City’s largest and most enjoyed public parks and open spaces, focused on creating an enduring legacy for the Salem 400 quadricentennial in 2026.