Construction Update: May 2003

Aviation Field: The fields are complete and are open to the public. Work is still underway on the paths.

Boathouse: Project is on schedule. Bids for a Boathouse operator were rejected by the City of St. Louis. Revised bids are due May 27. The Boathouse is scheduled to open in July.

Dual Path: The current bike path is open throughout the park. The Steering Committee will discuss the proposed dual path at their May 28th meeting, then it will go to the Forest Park Advisory Board in June. Path improvements will extend from Union to Skinker, 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 availability.

Fish Hatchery area:: Roads are open. All the stone work is completed and the complete project should be finished by June.

Fish Hatchery/MDC: : Pond renovations are completed and the lakes are stocked with fish. The Missouri Dept. of Conservation has started its fishing program.

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. Brunch will be served on Sundays from May 18 to June 29. Call 367-1337, ext. 234 for reservations. Reservations for weddings and parties call 289-5389.

Langenberg Field: : Renovation of the field should be completed in June and ready for use in 2004. The pedestrian bridge has been installed.

Lindell Pavilion: Work is underway with completion scheduled for Fall and open Nov. 1.

MSD:Sewer Improvements along Washington and Well Drives could begin at the end of May. 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: Plans for the beautification of the South Muny Plaza were approved at the Forest Park Advisory Board.

Picnic Pavilion: The pavilion is under construction and should be open in July.

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 June. 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 were approved by the Forest Park Advisory Board and will be installed in the Fall.

Road, Traffic Work

Clayton/Faulkner Avenues:Substantially complete except for the path work, which is scheduled for completion by June, weather permitting.

East Grand Entrance: Work is complete and street is open.

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 late 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

May 17: St. Louis Micro-Fest Beer Festival (Upper Muny)

May 18: Tour of St. Louis Bicycle Race (roadways)

May 23-26: St. Louis African Arts Festival (World’s Fair Pavilion)

May 31: Teen Think Tank (Upper Muny)

May 31: Walk-A-Thon (Upper Muny)

May 31-June 15: Shakespeare Festival

June 1: Make Tracks for the Zoo --5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run/walk (Zoo)

June 13: ZOOFARI 2003 Penguins, Puffins and Pearls (Zoo)