February 7, 2017

Last week, new park pathways at the Gateway Arch opened to the public, making it easier for visitors to access the latest features of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park. On the riverfront, four new paths on the east slope now connect to the​ park overlooking the river.

Before the CityArchRiver project, visitors were limited to using stairs or a steep incline on a perimeter road. Now, the Riverwalk Pathways are gently sloping paths with benches and railings that finally provide an accessible route between the park and riverfront for everyone.

Some new additions to the park reconnect the monument to the history the Arch commemorates. Throughout the park, 16 historic place markers and informative signs describe the story of how St. Louis became the Gateway to the West. The designs were developed by the National Park Service and include stories about the Old Rock House, Dan Kiley’s landscape design, the harbor of St. Louis in the 19th century, the Chouteau mansion, and more.

Dan Kiley’s historic landscape design has been updated to provide an exciting backdrop for the Gateway Arch. New walking and biking pathways around the  park ponds provide access to the renovated park areas, shaded picnic spots, lawns, and reflections of the monument in the renovated pools.

Before the CityArchRiver project, visitors were limited to using stairs or a steep incline on a perimeter road. Now, the Riverwalk Pathways are gently sloping paths with benches and railings that finally provide an accessible route between the park and riverfront for everyone.

Along the processional allées, visitors will find new organically-raised London Plane trees picturesquely framing the monument. Before the project, the Gateway Arch park contained 1,800 trees. When the renovation is complete, the park will have over 4,200 trees. Many of these trees are native species carefully chosen for their unique habitat within the park.