2017 in Review
2017 in Review
Helping visitors enjoy their time in Forest Park is something our team takes very seriously. Making it easier for people to access and move around the Park and feel safe once they get here are things we always keep at the forefront of our work. In 2017, we continued this work with several key initiatives.
East-West Gateway, in coordination with the City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever, initiated a study under the guidelines of the Council’s Great Streets Initiative to develop a multi-modal access and circulation strategy that increases the safety, convenience, and accessibility to and within Forest Park, resulting in an improved visitor experience. Open houses were held throughout 2017, inviting comments and public participation. (You can read about it in this St. Louis Post-Dispatch piece.)
This Great Streets Study builds on the progress made during a Forest Park Connectivity & Mobility Study during 2016. We look forward to sharing more about the Great Streets Study recommendations in spring 2017.
In 2017, a new security camera system was installed at the 10 vehicular entrances and exits to Forest Park, ensuring greater safety and enjoyment for the Park’s visitors. This camera system, which has been designed to leverage existing light poles and be as visually unobtrusive as possible, is part of a series of strategic security improvements in Forest Park in recent years. The City of St. Louis designed the construction project. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is operating the system, which is integrated into its larger City-wide security program. Forest Park Forever administered the construction project and contributed financially to the cost of installation and maintenance.
Our friends at Great Rivers Greenway are spearheading an initiative to build a multi-use greenway that connects Washington University and Forest Park to Downtown and the Gateway Arch. We are proud to be a community partner for this exciting initiative, contributing funds toward the international design competition. Once envisioned and complete, this project will integrate Forest Park even better into the surrounding neighborhoods and communities beyond its borders.