June 8, 2016
A remarkable renovation Learn & Play
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Transported by taste
Community Voices
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By Charlotte R. Beard
Photo courtesy CityArchRiver Foundation
Construction continues on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.
As reconstruction of the Arch grounds nears completion, activity increases through the summer By Sara Hardin There is plenty of excitement in store for visitors to the Gateway Arch this summer. With new additions and renovations to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park and to the monument’s museum and visitor center, there will be plenty to see and do for new and seasoned Arch visitors alike. Construction for the CityArchRiver project began in August 2013, and has since resulted in roadway improvements and the Park Over the Highway that allows seamless, stair-free walking or biking from the Old Courthouse to the Arch to the river in a continuous greenway. “The Arch experience is going to be a whole new world for folks coming to this iconic monument,” said Ryan McClue, Communications Director for CityArchRiver. “The park will be better connected to the river and to downtown. There is going to be a lot more to do, and there are a lot more spaces for special events and programming that didn’t exist before. We’re opening things up as they are completed, and people are going to be able to participate in this new experience starting now.” The newly-renovated Riverfront, which now boasts new trees, lights, bike racks and benches, celebrated its ribbon cutting on June 2. The space has transformed into an ideal venue for community events and performances, and will eventually be joined by the South Park, North Park and Kieiner Plaza as construction continues into 2017. Jefferson National Parks Association is celebrating the opening of the new The
Arch Store in the Arch’s Visitor Center. The new 4,000-square-foot store, built on the site of the former Odyssey Theater, opened to the public on May 11. It replaces the former Levee Mercantile and offers a wider selection of products and a fresh, mid-century modern atmosphere. “We wanted a design for this store that really matched the mid-century modern look and feel and would also complement the renovations that are underway for the entire CityArchRiver project,” said Liz Forrestal, Senior Director of Jefferson National Parks Association. “We have more space now for some unique products that we haven’t sold before. We have many more products now that relate to a lot of the stories that stem from the reasons that the park exists. It is a monument to the vision of Thomas Jefferson and expanding the country into the West, hence the name of the park, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.” New western-themed products in The Arch Store include reproduction Remington bronze statues, authentic Native American headdresses, and Native American jewelry, pottery and Kachina dolls. The store is now also carrying furniture designed by Gateway Arch designer Eero Saarinen, such as his tulip chair and tulip table. Architectural books, stacking cards, a large selection of high-end jewelry and the popular Gateway Arch replicas are also available. “We’re delighted to be a part of the CityArchRiver project, which is really going to transform this national monu-
ment in the next couple of years,” said Forrestal. “Every purchase in the store supports the work of the national park.” Shoppers are invited to join in on celebrating the opening of The Arch Store by downloading a coupon for 20 percent off their entire storewide purchase. Coupons can be downloaded from archstore.jnpa. com and must be presented at The Arch Store in person during the month of June. There will be no lack of fun to be had on the Arch grounds this summer as the National Park Service celebrates its centennial year. “We’re inviting our park neighbors and visitors this summer to come to the park to play, learn and have fun,” said Rhonda
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The Golden Years
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Order of Merit Scholarship
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