Transportation in Forest Park

rbeedee · PostMar 31, 2011#12011-03-31T23:07+00:00

I didn't see a topic for this anywhere so I started on; if I've missed a pre-existing topic please merge this in.

The Post-Dispatch has an article about the plans for the spring/summer traffic circulation in Forest Park. The basic goal is to encourage people to take routes other than Hampton, and use underutilized parking lots:

For those who use Hampton instead of the nine other park entrances, rangers will set up barricades at the traffic roundabout just north of Highway 40 to divert cars to the east. From there, motorists will make a left at McKinley Drive and then another left at Pagoda Circle.

The so-called traffic "relief route" will be in effect from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., seven days a week.

The hope is to cajole Forest Park visitors to park at underused lots - including the upper Muny lot - where spaces are available on spring and summer days. The new route also will take drivers past lots at the Visitor Center, along Government Drive before eventually winding back to both St. Louis Zoo lots.

The circulator will also be back, rebranded as the "Forest Park Trolley":

Metro will begin offering daily bus service inside the park Friday to get people from their cars to major park venues. The buses will be wrapped and branded the Forest Park Trolley, and will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the summer, the hours will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Alex Ihnen · PostApr 01, 2011#22011-04-01T04:56+00:00

I hate the trolley moniker. It's a b-u-s.

Also, I take from the story that I'll only be allowed to ride my bike one-way from 9:30am-2:00pm from April 1 to October 31. I can't help but feel that the changes are more pro-auto oriented than anything. You know what makes people take a different exit than Hampton? The backup of traffic at Hampton. We need to stop bending over backwards to prevent traffic everywhere at all costs. Why not consider an off-site parking lot? Perhaps the Forest Park Hospital eventual redevelopment can accommodate parking and the "trolley" can stop there. Maybe STLCC parking could be used on weekends, maybe electronic signage could direct drivers to exit at McCausland - oh, that's right, McCausland isn't an official CVC "attraction corridor"! (http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... ily38.html)

MattnSTL · PostApr 01, 2011#32011-04-01T16:19+00:00

I saw somewhere that traffic will remain open two ways on the relief route, so I would imagine you can still ride your bike two ways.

pat · PostApr 01, 2011#42011-04-01T16:20+00:00

It would have been nice if they used an actual replica trolley instead of a painted bus. Something open to the environment, more touristy

Something like this...
http://www.tahoesbest.com/transportatio ... rolley.htm

I think if they did that, and then had artists design each bus/trolley stop after the attraction it was for would be really cool. A stop at the zoo with a bunch of colorful animal statues A stop at the history museum with a Mark Twain statue sitting on the bench etc. A stop at the planetarium with solar system sculptures. A stop at the Muny will all sorts of theater themed statues. Stuff that would really stand out. Almost an attraction itself. Something that would shout this is how to get around Forest Park and its fun.

Alex Ihnen · PostApr 01, 2011#52011-04-01T20:11+00:00

MattnSTL wrote:I saw somewhere that traffic will remain open two ways on the relief route, so I would imagine you can still ride your bike two ways.

Then what is the relief route? I can't find any info on it being two-way.

doug · PostApr 03, 2011#62011-04-03T19:32+00:00

Alex Ihnen wrote:I hate the trolley moniker. It's a b-u-s.

It is called a trolley because suburbanites have negative images of city buses. If they are going to use it we first need to call it something else and spend money on paint.

We need to stop bending over backwards to prevent traffic everywhere at all costs.

Especially if bending over backwards makes it harder to bike and eventually leads to more parking in Forest Park. I don't understand why any changes need to be made in terms of parking our traffic routes. This means the park is popular and too many people are driving all at once. Are we supposed to redesign Forest Park's entrances to only accommodate the car as a result? I believe drivers already have the advantage given its proximity to the highway. Perhaps more people should take Metrolink to Forest Park station. If we charged an admission fee for the Zoo then we could offer discounted Zoo metro fares which might help. But they certainly won't use it or the bus if we build more parking and thus reduce congestion.

zun1026 · PostApr 06, 2011#72011-04-06T06:50+00:00

doug wrote:
Alex Ihnen wrote:I hate the trolley moniker. It's a b-u-s.
It is called a trolley because suburbanites have negative images of city buses. If they are going to use it we first need to call it something else and spend money on paint.

We need to stop bending over backwards to prevent traffic everywhere at all costs.

Especially if bending over backwards makes it harder to bike and eventually leads to more parking in Forest Park. I don't understand why any changes need to be made in terms of parking our traffic routes. This means the park is popular and too many people are driving all at once. Are we supposed to redesign Forest Park's entrances to only accommodate the car as a result? I believe drivers already have the advantage given its proximity to the highway. Perhaps more people should take Metrolink to Forest Park station. If we charged an admission fee for the Zoo then we could offer discounted Zoo metro fares which might help. But they certainly won't use it or the bus if we build more parking and thus reduce congestion.

Just develop the Forest Park hospital site into a node for multimodal transit, ensure a shuttle connection and viola reduced traffic and parking demands.

I agree that the automobile has the advantage over the pedestrian currently.

Alex Ihnen · PostApr 06, 2011#82011-04-06T14:47+00:00

^ Yes, why no zoo/FP parking south of I-64? Not just the FP Hospital site, but some other space is available.

zun1026 · PostApr 09, 2011#92011-04-09T01:59+00:00

Alex Ihnen wrote:^ Yes, why no zoo/FP parking south of I-64? Not just the FP Hospital site, but some other space is available.

There is certainly some great potential there. (old Channel 2 site, old FP Lumber Yard, etc.)