Construction Update: April 2003

Aviation Field: The fields are complete and are open to the public. Work is still underway on the paths. The Forest Park Softball League has formed and is taking applications from teams to begin play this month. Contact Roger Berry: 289-5378.

Boathouse: Project is on schedule. Bids for Boathouse operator are due April 21. Scheduled for public opening in July.

Dual Path: The current bike path is open throughout the park. The Advisory Board will discuss the proposed dual path at the April 17 meeting. The design should be finished by June. Phase I construction will start in June and be completed by the end of November. Path improvements will extend from Union to Skinker and along Skinker from Lindell to Wells. The other area will be near Bowl Lake between Clayton Avenue and I-64. All other improvements are considered to be in Phase II. Implementation of Phase II is dependent upon funding and subject to change.

Fish Hatchery area: Road should be reopened by mid-April. All the stone work is completed and the complete project should be finished by June.

Fish Hatchery/MDC: Pond renovations will be completed by May.

Grand Basin/Post-Dispatch Lake: Work is progressing as planned and should be substantially completed in June.

Golf Course/Clubhouse: The 9-hole Hawthorne course and Ruthie’s Grill in the Clubhouse are open. Work continues on the remaining 18 holes – Dogwood 9 to be completed in September followed by the Redbud 9 in Spring 2004.

Jewel Box: Project is complete and open to the public. Reservations for weddings and parties: 289-5389.

Langenberg Field: Renovation of the field should be completed in June and ready for use in 2004.

Lindell Pavilion: Work is underway with completion scheduled for fall and opened in November.

MSD:Sewer Improvements along Washington and Well Drives could begin at the end of April. The city has required that at least one lane of traffic be open at all times. Wells Drive should be completed first and Washington Drive will begin after the end of the Muny season in August.

Muny: Information on plans for the beautification of the South Muny Plaza will be presented at the April 17 FPAB meeting.

River Project: The Forest Park Master Plan envisions a connected linear waterway in the park. Work is continuing on this project and we should have a flowing system by May 1. Water will flow from the Cascades all the way to the Steinberg area. Once the system is running, adjustments will be made as necessary due to climate conditions to ensure a continuous flow typical of a natural stream.

Signs: New signs directing park visitors to the various institutions and attractions should be in place by Memorial Day.

World's Fair Pavilion:Information on plans for Donor Plaza and landscaping will be presented at the April 17 FPAB meeting.

Road, Traffic Work

Clayton/Faulkner Avenues: Substantial completion except for the path work, which is scheduled for completion by the end of April, weather permitting.

East Grand Entrance: Closed - work on the bridge/river project should be completed by mid-April.

Fine Arts Drive: Fine Arts Drive will be closed to through traffic until November. The public can access the Art Museum parking lot from the east and to the Museum from the west during this phase of road construction. Improvements to the main entrance will be completed in September.

Lagoon Drive: Now open. Construction scheduled for May with completion by the end of November. Lagoon will be open but will be one-way going east.

Skinker Entrance: : The dedicated right turn lane will be eliminated. Pedestrian signals will be installed to tell path users when they have the right-of-way. A concrete median will be installed. Project should be completed by fall.

Upcoming Events In the Park

April 5: 2003 USA Women’s Marathon Championship (Roadways)

April 6: Spirit of St. Louis Marathon (Roadways)

April 12: Opera Panda Walk (Upper Muny)

April 13: Father/Daughter Road Rally (Upper Muny)

April 20: Easter Car Shows (Upper & Lower Muny)

April 26: March of Dimes Walk America (Upper Muny & Roadways)

April 27: Family Fest & Walk for Kids (Upper Muny)

April 27: Tour De Fat Bike Ride/ Beer Festival (World’s Fair Pavilion & Roadways)

April 27: St. Louis Earth Day Festival (Muny Grounds)

April 27: Earth Day Walk/Run for River (Lower Muny)

May 3: American Heart Association Walk (World’s Fair Pavilion & parking in Upper & Lower Muny, Picnic Ground #1 & 1A)

May 4: Run for the Stars (Planetarium Parking Lot & Roadways)