Really good to see this. All the projects Forest Park Forever is doing is really making our showcase park shine bright. It’s a lot of work, but it’s work to protect and restore one of, if not our best, asset for future generations.pattimagee wrote: ↑May 11, 2021Was on a walk in FP and they were laying out flags and site plans for the Jefferson Lake project.
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Yes, aquatic center. Pool complex. Whatever you want to call it.
I knew of the one at Carondolet. Didn't know about the one at O'Fallon.
Many would probably think it's an eyesore in Forest Park, but I think you could probably have a pretty popular complex in that park.
I knew of the one at Carondolet. Didn't know about the one at O'Fallon.
Many would probably think it's an eyesore in Forest Park, but I think you could probably have a pretty popular complex in that park.
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Anytime FPF or the Arch grounds takes suggestions, I mention Barton Springs in Austin and how popular something like that would be in St. Louis. Even just a version of the beach on Creve Couer Lake in the city would be super popular.
^^ I really think the old Forest Park Hospital site is ideally suited for some unique themed development from water park/pool complex, structured parking to free up existing surface lot at entrance for more exhibits and a nice full service zoo themed hotel/conference center/zoo offices
^ Exactly, develop Forest Park's own version of Creve Couer Lake beach. I think a beach within the park would be a more natural fit and consistent with recent work.
Of course my wish list includes first and foremost extending loop trolley further into park and maybe across I64 to the Forest Park Hospital site & make it free on extended weekend, Monday to Thursday. I also see as being part of the Museum District tax umbrella to help pay for ops, maintaining trolleys (think history and importance of streetcars to St. Louis region). If not trolley - extend gondola from zoo onto Art Museum and finally onto History museum. My second more long term wish list is unearth and restore part of the original Des Peres creek south of Forest Park/Science center.
^ Exactly, develop Forest Park's own version of Creve Couer Lake beach. I think a beach within the park would be a more natural fit and consistent with recent work.
Of course my wish list includes first and foremost extending loop trolley further into park and maybe across I64 to the Forest Park Hospital site & make it free on extended weekend, Monday to Thursday. I also see as being part of the Museum District tax umbrella to help pay for ops, maintaining trolleys (think history and importance of streetcars to St. Louis region). If not trolley - extend gondola from zoo onto Art Museum and finally onto History museum. My second more long term wish list is unearth and restore part of the original Des Peres creek south of Forest Park/Science center.
Really exciting to see this project get started. It's really huge in scale too. Here's the website for it. Lots of renderings and a pretty good explanation of the work coming. In short, Bowl Lake and the Seven Pools, Jefferson Lake, Round Lake and the east waterways will all see restoration and expansion. A new channel will be dug to connect Jefferson to the rest of the park's river system. An underground channel will connect Bowl and Jefferson lakes and another will connect Round Lake to the rest of the river system.
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Jefferson Lake overlook:
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Jefferson Boardwalk:
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Cascades at Jefferson Lake:
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Bowl Lake:
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Jefferson Lake overlook:
Jefferson Boardwalk:
Cascades at Jefferson Lake:
Bowl Lake:
I also think creating a few public beaches in Forest Park would be a worthy endeavor. Wildlife Island almost reminds me of a very miniature Orchard Beach in NYC with its crescent-ish shape on the one side. I think it would be a pretty good spot for a public beach with the way it kind of opens up to Post-Dispatch Lake. Good location in the park, nearly dead center, plus it's right at Government and Washington near one of the primary trails.
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Murphy Lake just north of the hatcheries could be another candidate too. Access from Lindell (plus a bus stop) and Grand Drive. This one is a bit isolated though, could be more of a neighborhood beach.
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Lastly, I'd say Bowl Lake is a good candidate too. Right off Clayton Road and many of the park's trails, plus there is a pedestrian underpass beneath the freeway that connects to Oakland Avenue right here too.
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O'Fallon Park, Fairground Park, and Carondelet Park could all probably make room for a small public beach too in some of their existing lakes and ponds.
Murphy Lake just north of the hatcheries could be another candidate too. Access from Lindell (plus a bus stop) and Grand Drive. This one is a bit isolated though, could be more of a neighborhood beach.
Lastly, I'd say Bowl Lake is a good candidate too. Right off Clayton Road and many of the park's trails, plus there is a pedestrian underpass beneath the freeway that connects to Oakland Avenue right here too.
O'Fallon Park, Fairground Park, and Carondelet Park could all probably make room for a small public beach too in some of their existing lakes and ponds.
It seems like all the lakes and streams are connected in some way. Do you think that Forest Park would allow kayaks (where possible)? I think it would be a cool feature to have for people who like to kayak. On a nice day, people can start wherever and just go along.sc4mayor wrote: ↑May 11, 2021Really exciting to see this project get started. It's really huge in scale too. Here's the website for it. Lots of renderings and a pretty good explanation of the work coming. In short, Bowl Lake and the Seven Pools, Jefferson Lake, Round Lake and the east waterways will all see restoration and expansion. A new channel will be dug to connect Jefferson to the rest of the park's river system. An underground channel will connect Bowl and Jefferson lakes and another will connect Round Lake to the rest of the river system.
If this is already a thing, I apologize for not knowing.
^you can rent kayaks at the boathouse. I don’t know the rules on bringing your own.
Ideally they could rebuild/expand Steinberg Ice Rink to double as a swimming pool in the summer, and then could use the existing clubhouse for both. And it would be relatively easy to extend the pool area to the north or southwest to connect it to the lake system in sort of a beach area. They probably wouldn't want suntan lotion circulating throughout their new lake system though...but maybe it can just be a separate pool area...
^^ Interesting, does anyone here know about personal kayaks? I am always looking for nearby waterways, been to CC Lake many times.
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You’re not supposed to, but I’ve seen a number of people bring their own inflatable paddle boards etc and they’ve said no ones ever given them grief.pdm_ad wrote:^^ Interesting, does anyone here know about personal kayaks? I am always looking for nearby waterways, been to CC Lake many times.
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Walked around the perimeter tonight and it certainly seems to be complete from what I can see.
My only guess is any delay is COVID related as there's no way to contain crowds. That is unless they kept the crappy construction fences the have up right now. Plus the whole tactile/touch thing probably gives them pause.
It looks very nice.
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dredger wrote: ↑May 11, 2021^^ I really think the old Forest Park Hospital site is ideally suited for some unique themed development from water park/pool complex, structured parking to free up existing surface lot at entrance for more exhibits and a nice full service zoo themed hotel/conference center/zoo offices
You mean something like this?KansasCitian wrote:Yes, aquatic center. Pool complex. Whatever you want to call it.
I knew of the one at Carondolet. Didn't know about the one at O'Fallon.
Many would probably think it's an eyesore in Forest Park, but I think you could probably have a pretty popular complex in that park.
Apologies to Forest Park Highlands, but they don't allow deep links and I want to share their image. Please do click through to see their wonderful site. Yes. I think a pool complex on the hospital site could be insanely popular. After all . . . the last one there was a pretty big draw. A beach could also be nice.
IMO, Forest Park Forever is one of the best organizations in STL; they seem to do just about everything right.
(I'm gonna vote no on a swimming complex anywhere in the park proper) .
(I'm gonna vote no on a swimming complex anywhere in the park proper) .
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After listening to this segment on STL on the Air I would love to see some Pickleball courts added to Forest Park. In the same vain sand volleyball would so cheap and easy to build. I've always thought the space between the Metro tracks, Kingshighway, and Lindell would be a perfect spot for a court complex. Accessible and high visibility from the street.
Also where are the basketball courts??? Hundreds of acres dedicated to golf of all things but not a single basketball court.
Also where are the basketball courts??? Hundreds of acres dedicated to golf of all things but not a single basketball court.
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The lack of basketball courts in St. Louis parks is kind of shameful if you ask me.
I believe the only major public park I've driven past with basketball courts is Fairground Park.
I believe the only major public park I've driven past with basketball courts is Fairground Park.
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Agreed on the basketball courts. If/when they do basketball courts somewhere, they should do them big like the Dwight Davis Tennis Center: paint the courts cool colors, have a PA system hookup, fan stands on either side, etc. Would be crazy popular...
There are a lot of parks with basketball courts around town. But I suppose you can never have enough.KansasCitian wrote: ↑May 12, 2021The lack of basketball courts in St. Louis parks is kind of shameful if you ask me.
I believe the only major public park I've driven past with basketball courts is Fairground Park.
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As I suspected, the overwhelming majority of those parks are in North City.
Very few major parks in the Central Corridor or South City have a basketball court.
Forest Park, Carondolet Park, Tower Grove Park, Francis Park, and Lindenwood Park do not have basketball courts. Tilles Park does, though.
Very few major parks in the Central Corridor or South City have a basketball court.
Forest Park, Carondolet Park, Tower Grove Park, Francis Park, and Lindenwood Park do not have basketball courts. Tilles Park does, though.
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Yep. Those don't have basketball courts. Benton Park doesn't have a basketball court, either. Nor does Gravois Park, Cherokee Park, or Marquette Park.
Ray Leisure and Love Bank do.KansasCitian wrote: ↑May 12, 2021Yep. Those don't have basketball courts. Benton Park doesn't have a basketball court, either. Nor does Gravois Park, Cherokee Park, or Marquette Park.
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^ ray leisure does, but love bank just has a small slab of concrete and a single hoop.
