GREENWAY IMPACTS
Letter to the Community
For this year’s report, we wanted to share our updates while walking you through the process of bringing a greenway to life. One of our priorities is to be as accountable and transparent to our constituents as possible!
We have big news to share – Great Rivers Greenway CEO Susan Trautman is retiring next spring after serving for 15 years. This transition will happen during the 25th anniversary of the vote of the people that created our agency. Our Board of Directors will conduct an open search for the next leader to continue the work of bringing a network of greenways to life.
The last 15 years have seen transformational growth to build, promote and sustain greenways, including major partnerships bringing in more than $160M in public and private funding outside our local tax revenues. What has remained constant will stay strong with our Board of Directors, our new leader, our staff, our partners, and our community going forward – dedication to regionalism, commitment to collaboration, exceptional stewardship of taxpayer funds and getting things done. We look forward to the next chapter unfolding for this agency and our region!
Susan K. Trautman Chief Executive Officer Great Rivers Greenway
$50M+
FROM GENEROUS DONORS TO THE GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT GREENWAYS TO DATE
135 MILES OF GREENWAY TRAILS (& COUNTING!) FOR YOU
Monica Huddleston President of the Board Great Rivers Greenway
SIX STEPS TO BRING GREENWAYS TO LIFE
Civic Engagement & Planning
PAGE 5
Funding & Site Control
PAGE 9
Design - Ask, Align, Act
PAGE 13
Construction & Conservation
PAGE 17
Operations & Maintenance
PAGE 21
Programs & Events
PAGE 25 1 2 3 4 5 6
Senior Project Manager Angelica Gutierrez (right) shares plans with a community member to get feedback on the Deer Creek Greenway that will link Brentwood,
and
Webster Groves, Maplewood
the City of St. Louis.
Civic Engagement & Planning
To start a greenway project is to listen. We check in with partners and community members who know the area best, such as neighbors, city staff, elected officials, and leaders at places of worship, schools, organizations, or businesses. We work to understand what people need and want, so we can match that information with what’s technically possible. The plan moves forward from there. This typically takes 1-3 years, but engagement continues on through future stages.
North St. Louis County Engagement Planning
2024 efforts to date include a survey and Listening Tour events in North County.
• The engagement effort covers the cities of Black Jack, Bridgeton, Florissant, Hazelwood, Old Jamestown, Spanish Lake, and Unincorporated St. Louis County.
• We asked whether people know about or use greenways, understand their benefits, their top desired destinations for future greenways, and any concerns or ideas we should know about.
Left & Below Community members map out their priority destinations at events held throughout North County.
“New Greenway” in St. Charles County Gets A Name!
With partner and community feedback, the proposed greenway was named after a small creek in the area that feeds into the Missouri River— Baltic Creek. Our Board of Directors reviewed and adopted the community-generated plan for the greenway in February 2024.
Baltic Creek Greenway is in early stages of planning and will connect Legacy Park to Veterans Tribute Park and the Katy Trail State Park.
Brickline Greenway Forming Community Advisory Committee to Guide Downtown Plans.
The committee is forming now to give critical feedback on the early planning efforts for the segment along Market St from 20th St to the Gateway Arch National Park.
This section on Market St at CITYPARK stadium, from 22nd to 20th, opened in 2023.
Chain of Rocks Park on the Mississippi Greenway, opened in April 2024, drew from a variety of funding sources including greenway funds, a grant through the National Park Service and donations from local philanthropists.
Site Control & Funding
Two important factors that you cannot go too long without considering are site control and funding. Whether we get an easement donated, permission to use someone else’s right-ofway or purchase land, we find the space to build the greenway and identify any barriers or issues early on. We also evaluate all possible funding sources, including our local sales tax dollars, federal or state grants, in-kind partner contributions, and individual gifts through the Great Rivers Greenway Foundation.
Brickline Greenway Federal Funding Win
– Bridging a Barrier
$9.9 million in construction funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program is coming to St. Louis to match local funds to build the Brickline Greenway bridge through the upper and lower decks of I-64/40 at Spring St.
This map shows how the Brickline Greenway segments from north, south, east and west will converge near the Grand MetroLink Station, with a new bridge going through I-64/40, reconnecting communities on both sides.
Right
St. Vincent Greenway Seeks 38 Autographs
Some greenway projects need a lot of coordination, such as this one through Pagedale, to get both temporary and permanent construction easements so we can work and build next to people’s front yards, driveways, sidewalks, and properties.
• Great Rivers Greenway does not have the power to take property through eminent domain. Our approach is to work with the willing!
• This means individual outreach to each neighbor to discuss, understand and negotiate agreements to bring the greenway through. In this case, 38 easements are needed to establish the route.
Above Left Once completed, people will connect to this built section (picture taken on a greenway walk with board and staff) of St. Vincent Greenway that leads into St. Vincent County Park and beyond to University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Above Right Turning this sidewalk into a greenway (highlighted in yellow) requires shifting the Ameren power poles and getting easements (permission) from the neighbors to construct.
Centennial Greenway in Olivette Goes to Washington!
Our team negotiated to use a 0.75-mile piece of Union Pacific Railroad that hadn’t been used since the 1960s to become a greenway. But first, an act of Congress has to be passed (in progress now) to officially abandon the railroad before we can purchase that small piece of land. This is just one example of how it can take years to work through the site control phase for a new greenway.
Project Manager Michael Steinlage reviews options for the greenway route with residents and elected officials in Ferguson at an engagement event in Forestwood Park. After rounds of revisions, construction begins soon.
DesignAsk, Align, Act
As the greenway design moves forward, we use an iterative Ask, Align, Act model where we ask the community questions and ask the experts feasibility questions (permits, land conditions, etc), then combine and align those two main factors to see what’s possible, then draft the solution or set of plans, and start it all over again. We go back and ask people again, “How about this? Did we hear you correctly? What are we missing? Will this work?” and continue to ask, align, act until we have fully complete construction documents. This can take 2-4 years, depending on the project.
Unger Park & Meramec Greenway Getting a Makeover
We knew we needed to rethink Meramec Greenway in Unger Park, as part of it had been washed away due to major flooding. Working with St. Louis County Parks and the many stakeholders in the area, we embarked on a plan to overhaul the park, not just the greenway. Improvements from partners include:
• Rerouting the greenway away from the river, but creating a new nature trail along the riverside, making all paths more resilient to flooding. This has been done in conjunction with the disc golf leagues that use the park, including adjusting a few of their holes.
• Better access to water for recreation and fishing includes a new, accessible dock and kayak access, a river lookout point and new trailhead with parking.
Dardenne Greenway Extending North From Mexico Road
This project, in partnership with St. Peters, will extend the Dardenne Greenway nearly two miles north from its current endpoint at Mexico Rd! The greenway will improve the existing paved trail between Mexico Rd and Dardenne Park with a $1.5 million federal grant, plus continue to the St. Peters Golf Club & Water’s Edge Banquet Center entrance at Salt Lick Road. This project, which will make the whole experience better by being accessible and better able to manage stormwater, will begin construction in 2025.
Left One of the things we heard from our process is that the trail beneath Mexico Road floods often and while people like the creek, improvements are needed.
Right Our design process includes reporting back to community members with how their feedback was used, in this case elevating the greenway to flood less often.
Hodiamont Greenway Launches Pilot
Projects
A common strategy for greenways is to break them into smaller segments to further the design process. Sometimes this is done because the sections are quite different from each other and may need different kinds of experts or engagement, sometimes it’s because it may help us pursue federal funding, sometimes it is due to external factors, like a nearby development. Hodiamont Greenway has momentum on the western end, with local community organizations securing grant funding to revitalize Gwen Giles Park, one of the trailheads for the greenway. We will also pursue design for the section that intersects with St. Vincent Greenway, west to Belt Avenue, with more sections following closely behind.
Left The current Gwen Giles Park will get upgrades and become a trailhead at the west end of Hodiamont Greenway.
Boschert Greenway, recently extended by City of St. Charles to better connect to Main Street and Katy Trail State Park, was one of many greenways to get a signage upgrade to replace outdated, faded signage!
Construction & Conservation
Once design is complete, it’s ready for construction; we launch a public opportunity for contractors to bid, looking for the lowest and best bid that is qualified and meets or exceeds our goals. Construction typically takes 1-2 years to complete. Our conservation projects enhance the natural habitats where greenways go, sometimes during the construction and sometimes before or after. They might include small plantings or rain gardens to help manage stormwater and support pollinators, or might be a full restoration of a wetland, woodland or prairie.
Centennial Greenway Construction Continues in Olivette
• Construction is underway now to extend the greenway from Warson Park through the Indian Meadows Park.
• Expected to be open late Fall 2024.
Above There are literally lots of moving pieces beneath the ground before we can pour the smooth asphalt or concrete path to ensure accessibility, stormwater management and stability long-term.
Brickline Greenway Construction Begins September 2024
• Market Street will be getting more greenway from 22nd St to Compton Ave.
• The greenway will extend Damon Davis’s Pillars of the Valley art installation to commemorate the former location and community, Mill Creek Valley.
Above May 1st community celebration kicked off the bidding process while Harris-Stowe State University students were still on campus.
Eight Greenways Opened in 2023
• City of St. Louis – Brickline Greenway at CITYPARK and Katherine Ward Burg Garden on Laclede’s Landing opened.
• St. Louis County – Deer Creek Greenway in Brentwood, Meramec Greenway across the Meramec River alongside I-44 in Kirkwood, Fenton and Sunset Hills, St. Vincent Greenway in Wellston and Pagedale, and Centennial Greenway in Olivette opened.
• St. Charles County – Centennial Greenway in St. Charles and St. Peters opened.
Right Centennial Greenway opening celebration in Schaefer Park in St. Charles and St. Peters. Before this greenway was finished, the existing nearby Spencer Creek trail saw 23,000 visits in 2022. Afterward, once they were connected together? 48,000 visits in 2023. 109% increase!
St. Vincent Strengthens and Highlights Engelholm Creek
• Part of this project, which opened last summer, included a new pocket park in Wellston along Engelholm Creek.
• It features a deck and seating area, habitat for pollinators, amenities like a drinking fountain, and is built to flood during high rain events.
• Funding included local greenway tax dollars of course, as well as a generous gift from the Mysun Charitable Foundation.
Outdoor Leadership Corps Removes Invasive Species Along Western Greenway
The Outdoor Leadership Corps is a partner program with the EarthWays Center (part of Missouri Botanical Garden), employing people part-time to learn about jobs in the green industry. The young people in this program removed 6.34 cubic yards of trash and 12 tires from public lands and waterways, seeded 7.1 acres of prairie and woodland with native seed mixes and managed 3.8 acres of invasive plants.
Deer Creek Greenway Extends Along Brentwood Boulevard
Construction is underway now to connect the existing Deer Creek Greenway along Marshall Road to the new Deer Creek Greenway segment, opened last year, throughout Brentwood Park, part of the Brentwood Bound project from City of Brentwood.
Left Success – all five participants from this past spring moved on to new conservation jobs after this program!
Left This project includes widening the road/sidewalk/ greenway to safely cross Deer Creek near the intersection of Brentwood Boulevard and Marshall Road.
Right Construction crews placed perfectly sized concrete structures to strengthen the bridge and road, while guaranteeing a larger space for the water to flow, especially during floods.
A great spot to stop for a break along the way!
Volunteer Coordinator Jovany Otero (foreground) and Conservation Coordinator Bryn Blackburn (background) engaged 2,600 volunteers in 8,000 hours of service in 2023 – the equivalent of four full time staff members!
Operations & Maintenance 5
Once a greenway is built, it’s time to turn over the day-to-day operations and maintenance to our partners, such as the municipality, county, campus or other institution that owns or operates that area of the region. They sign an agreement to take care of the basics, while we will support them with signage, major repair and replacement. But this model gets quite complicated in a region with 120 very different towns across three counties…
We want everyone in the region to have an excellent experience on the greenways, no matter how many resources a community has, so we try many different ways to ensure the network of greenways can thrive. Efforts include deploying our vendors, volunteers, partner programs, or staff trainings when our operating partners need support.
Great Rivers Greenway Contracts with AmeriCorps
Left Great Rivers Greenway contracts with AmeriCorps St. Louis to complete conservation projects along the greenways, supporting their care throughout the year. Service members, shown here, work on removing invasive and harmful bush honeysuckle plants on the Fee Fee Greenway in Maryland Heights.
Protecting the Wetland as it Gets Established
installing them at the new
the Mississippi
scare geese away from nesting in the new habitat as its getting established. Harry is one of three Operations Supervisors who check on the greenways throughout the region and coordinate with our partners on day to day operations and maintenance.
Right Great Rivers Greenway Operations Supervisor Harry Hensley holds up two plastic coyotes before
wetland at Chain of Rocks Park on
Greenway to
Adopt-A-Greenway Pilot Program
Right Thank you to the Ellendale Neighborhood Association for their care of the River des Peres Greenway! They are one of 10 members of our Adopt-A-Greenway Pilot Program, where individuals, families, organizations, or businesses take care of plants and litter on a section of the greenway.
Regional Greenway Leaders Summit
Left Dozens of mayors, city managers, parks directors and other leaders gathered last fall to understand the challenges and opportunities around the region, brainstorm solutions for equitable distribution of resources, and envision the future of greenway care for years to come.
Great Rivers Greenway staff, board and volunteers lead a community parade to the St. Vincent Greenway opening in Wellston in August 2023.
Programs & Events 6
Once the greenway is completed, the fun of programs and events can begin! Whether it’s a grand opening event, a scavenger hunt for you to do on your own, a series of offerings or a one-time party, there are many ways to learn, explore and build community on the greenways.
Many people and organizations put on events and programs along the greenways, Great Rivers Greenway included! We want everyone to feel welcome here –these are your special places to explore and enjoy.
St. Louis Zoo’s First Electric Train Named for Mary Meachum!
Right 2023 brought a new train to the St. Louis Zoo, the first named for a woman, to honor this heroic woman who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Illinois. Angela da Silva shared remarks during the train’s debut!
If you haven’t been to the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, the Underground Railroad site on the Mississippi Greenway just three miles north of the Gateway Arch, mark your calendars for October 19, 2024 for the 22nd Annual Celebration!
STL Run Crew Keeps It Fun
Left Great Rivers Greenway is thrilled to host STL Run Crew anytime they choose the greenways for their joyous walk/run meetups. Leader Ricky Hughes says: “I created STL Run Crew back in 2020 as a way of catapulting myself out of a depression. Being outside and moving is a tool that has changed my life…and I want to share it with other people. We meet every Sunday to connect and move— whatever that looks like for each person!”
Photo courtesy of Ricky Hughes and Tyler Small
Try New Things on the Greenways
Whether it’s beginning birdwatching with the Audubon Society, sunset yoga with YogaBuzz, a greenway walking tour full of history and ecology, or just a snowcone on a bridge over the Mississippi River, there’s something for everyone. Check out all the free programs and events at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/events
Brickline Greenway Banner
Art Program
Left Brickline Greenway on North Grand will start construction next year, but these beautiful banners, done by four incredible local artists, are up now! Read all about their inspiration at www. GreatRiversGreenway.org/ banners
Above & Left Greenways are also a great place for a field trip for your class or group!
Your investment, mapped above across all three counties throughout 2023 through Summer 2024 in four ways:
PROP C (EST. NOV. 2000) SALES TAX REVENUES
St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County collect 1/10 of 1¢, Great Rivers Greenway receives 50%
PROP P (EST. APRIL 2013) SALES TAX REVENUES
St. Louis City + St. Louis County collect 3/16 of 1¢, Great Rivers Greenway receives 30%
PRIVATE DONORS TO GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY FOUNDATION
Friends of Great Rivers Greenway
This new program from our Great Rivers Greenway Foundation recognizes the generosity of supporters who help the greenways thrive through their donations or volunteer service!
Left Gifts of $50 or more or 10 volunteer hours or more earn you Friends of Great Rivers Greenway recognition, including this sticker, discounts on Greenway Goods, an invite to our annual gathering and more.
Greenway Goods Brings Artists, Creators and Businesses Together
This merchandise program has collaborated with 18 local makers (and counting!) to celebrate and the greenways through products you can purchase to show off your support and give back to the greenways. From apparel to gifts to snacks to supplies, shop the goods at www.GreenwayGoods.com
Stewarding Your Investment Through Community Impact Banking
While we focus on getting your investment back to you in the form of greenways, when we do have a balance in our account, we want to make it count. Through a public process, we found and invested with several local institutions who are actively engaged in elevating the people and businesses in our region, particularly in historically disinvested areas, including but not limited to the 22 zip code footprint serving as the focus area of the St. Louis Anchor Action Network (we are a member).
LEARN MORE
Visit GreatRiversGreenway.org to learn more and plan an adventure.
Subscribe for email updates: GreatRiversGreenway.org/subscribe
ENGAGE WITH PROJECTS
Invite us to your workplace, club or neighborhood to share about the greenways.
Attend community events, open houses or survey opportunities across the region: GreatRiversGreenway.org/GiveFeedback
Donate to the 501(c)3 Great Rivers Greenway Foundation toward our mission: GreatRiversGreenway.org/donate
See if your employer does matching gifts.
Volunteer to pick up trash or plant trees.
Purchase greenway merchandise at local retailers and/or www.GreenwayGoods.com
Take a friend for a walk or ride on a greenway.
Forward an email to your community, talk about it!
Follow Great Rivers Greenway on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, NextDoor, YouTube.
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE GREENWAYS
135 miles & counting for YOU to explore & enjoy!
