Construction Update: December 2003

Aviation Field: The fields are open to the public. The Forest Park Softball League is seeking teams for its spring/summer 2004 season of slow-pitch softball. Play will begin on Sunday, April 11. For more information and to sign-up for the league, call Roger Berry at 314 289-5307 and leave a message or 314 647-7289 after 4 p.m.

Boathouse: Project is complete and open. The City of St. Louis awarded the contract for the operator to Catering St. Louis/Forest Park Forever. The Boathouse has new winter hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m Tuesday thru Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Monday. The phone number is 367-2224.

Deer Lake and Steinberg Rink area: Phase two was completed by the Flora Conservancy and the Parks Department with the addition of 1600 trees and shrubs.

Dual Path: Work is complete on the new dual path system.

Fish Hatchery area: Roads are open. All the stone work is completed. Trees have been planted and additional landscaping is underway. The contractor is working on the final close-out list.

Fish Hatchery/MDC: Pond renovations are completed and the lakes are stocked with fish. The Missouri Dept. of Conservation has started its fishing program. The new comfort station is complete. Gravel has been removed and was replaced with a park-like berm. Additional planting will be done in the spring. Work on the Forest Park Parkway prompted changes in this area.

Grand Basin/Post-Dispatch Lake: The Basin and lake are filled with water. Eight fountains are operating and the stone work is finished. Landscaping and the donor-recognition steps are complete.

Golf Course/Clubhouse: The 9-hole Hawthorne Course and Ruthie’s Grill in the Clubhouse are open. The Dogwood 9 is open but has limited use for tournaments while the turf grows. The Redbud 9 is scheduled to open in spring 2004.

Jewel Box: Project is complete and open to the public. Reservations for weddings and parties can be made by calling 289-5389.

Langenberg Field: Renovation of the field is complete. It has been seeded and will be ready for use in 2004. The pedestrian bridge has been installed.

Lindell Pavilion: Forest Park Forever moved into its offices, and the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center opened Nov. 17. New amenities include the Forest Perk Café, lockers and showers, classrooms and meeting spaces. The building is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Landscaping is complete.

MSD: Sewer improvements along Wells Drive and Washington Drive are complete and the ground is being seeded.

Muny: Work has started on the beautification of the South Muny Plaza and should be complete by April 2004.

Picnic Pavilion: The pavilion is complete and landscaping is underway. A spring dedication is planned.

River Project: Work is complete and the water is flowing from the Cascades all the way to the Steinberg area. Adjustments are being made as necessary due to climate conditions to ensure a continuous flow typical of a natural stream. A water quality management plan is complete and was given to the city, which is working on implementation.

Signs: New signs directing park visitors to the institutions and attractions are in place.

World's Fair Pavilion: The Donor Plaza and landscaping are complete.

Road, Traffic Work

All construction is complete and the roads in the park are open.

2004 New Year’s Eve celebration: Government Drive is closed between Wells and Pagoda Circle from now through January 5 for the 2004 New Year’s Eve celebration. The Ferris Wheel and stage are at that location and the road is closed to traffic.

Fine Arts Drive: Fine Arts Drive is open. The overlook is in place and work is complete on the irrigation system for Art Hill.

Lagoon Drive: Lagoon Drive is open.

Skinker Entrance: The dedicated right turn lane has been eliminated. Pedestrian signals tell path users when they have the right-of-way. A concrete median has been installed. Signs are erected and signals programmed.

Wells Drive: Wells Drive is open.

Forest Park Ornaments: Only a few boxes remain of the ornaments being sold by the Flora Conservancy and the City of St. Louis.

The box of ornaments show five popular sites in Forest Park -- the Apotheosis of St. Louis, Jewel Box, Nathan Frank Bandstand, World's Fair Pavilion and Steinberg Skating Rink. A box of five is $35.

The Apotheosis of St. Louis can be purchased individually for $10 and that includes an ornament stand. They are available at the Parks Dept. office in Forest Park and at the Jewel Box.

Upcoming Events In the Park

Now- Jan. 6: Setup and removal for 2004 New Year’s Eve Celebration (entire park)

For information on celebrating New Year’s Eve in Forest Park see the 2004 web page: http://www.stlouis2004.org/html/home.html

NOTE: To have events listed in the Construction Update e-mail them to: Gail Compton, Public Information Officer for the Parks Dept., at: comptong@stlouiscity.com