Construction Update: November 2003

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

Boathouse: Project is complete and open. The City of St. Louis awarded the contact for the operator to Catering St. Louis/Forest Park Forever. The Boathouse has new fall hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Monday. The phone number is 367-2224.

Dual Path: Work is continuing on the new dual path system. Construction started at Union and proceed west to Skinker, along Skinker from Lindell to Wells. Work should be complete by the end of December.

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 workers are finishing the stone work. Landscaping should be complete in about two weeks. Work is underway on the donor-recognition on the steps.

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. The bike path is complete to the bridge

Lindell Pavilion: Forest Park Forever moved into its offices and the Visitor’s Center opened Nov. 17. Landscaping should be complete by the end of November. Work on the dual path continues.

MSD: Sewer Improvements along Wells Drive are complete and is being seeded. Work started on Washington Drive and it is scheduled to be completed the second week in December.

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 has started and is set to be complete in December.

Road, Traffic Work

Fine Arts Drive: Fine Arts Drive is closed to through traffic. The public can access the Art Museum parking lot from the east and to the Museum from the west. The overlook is in place and work is underway on an irrigation system for Art Hill. The projects are schedule for completion by Dec. 15.

Lagoon Drive: Lagoon Drive is closed to traffic from Fine Arts Drive to the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. Lagoon Drive is open from Skinker to the driveway for the clubhouse and the golf course. Golfers must enter the park at the Forsyth/Skinker entrance to get to the golf course. Final paving is underway and it could open next week. Temporary traffic signals have been installed at Lindell and Skinker.

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

Wells Drive: Wells Drive is closed at Skinker to all traffic for installation of sewers and the decorative cobblestone crossing. It should open in late November.

Forest Park Ornaments:The Flora Conserancy and the City of St. Louis are selling ornaments that 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 and Jewel Box can be purchsed 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

Nov. 25: Driver’s training for the Police Dept. (Upper Muny Lot)

Nov. 26: Driver’s training for the Police Dept. (Upper Muny Lot)

Dec. 7: St. Louis Marathon Relay (Park streets – starts/ends at Steinberg Rink)

Dec. 12: Public telescope viewing (Archery Range)

Dec. 15- Jan. 6: Setup for 1004 New Year’s Even Celebration (entire park)

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