River des Peres will never be clean enough, at least not in our lifetimes or our grandchildren's lifetimes. Even if MSD could keep out every ounce of sewage, the stormwater alone would still contribute way too many contaminants. Unless/until every property has it's own stormwater detention, the pollutant load will be too high. The only reason those other urban swimming holes appear to work is because they keep out most of the urban runoff. They either manually pump in massive amounts of groundwater, or are spring fed. Sadly, any waterbody in an urban area that relies primarily on storm water will continue to be unsafe for human contact.
As mentioned before do remember that the surface waterways in the park do not receive any water from RDP. That is shunted under the park and is separate from the lakes and Kindle-Taylor river in the park. Those park waterways were artificially-created; they do overflow into the underground waterway but that's it.Tim wrote: ↑Aug 26, 2025River des Peres will never be clean enough, at least not in our lifetimes or our grandchildren's lifetimes. Even if MSD could keep out every ounce of sewage, the stormwater alone would still contribute way too many contaminants. Unless/until every property has it's own stormwater detention, the pollutant load will be too high. The only reason those other urban swimming holes appear to work is because they keep out most of the urban runoff. They either manually pump in massive amounts of groundwater, or are spring fed. Sadly, any waterbody in an urban area that relies primarily on storm water will continue to be unsafe for human contact.
-RBB
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^I was going to say there is already a rock beach you can play at on Picnic Island if anyone is interested - really great spot that's kind of hidden... on and island.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mSyyfpq5Zdf2QCicA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mSyyfpq5Zdf2QCicA
Stl Mag - Boathouse at Forest Park closing after Sunday’s service for a year’s worth of renovations
https://www.stlmag.com/dining/the-boath ... novations/
https://www.stlmag.com/dining/the-boath ... novations/
The Boathouse is my absolute favorite dog-friendly restaurant. Looking forward to it.
Does anyone know if the new flexpost separated bike lane running on the west side of Jefferson Lake (Faulkner Dr) is a permanent feature or temporary during construction? Either way, was a very pleasant surprise to me this morning...
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I think it's temporary for the next year or so until they can reopen the bike path again.
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Redesigned Forest Park Entrance Will Improve Mobility, Invite Visitors to Top Urban Park
https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/ ... s-memorial
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https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/ ... s-memorial
DeBaliviere and Lindell needs help too. Narrow Lindell, pedestrian refuges, split up the long east-west green light with and all red for cars, all green for everyone else period.
This is very nice, but I'm more excited about redoing the intersection of Lindell and Union.
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/d ... 26=1126635
This can't happen soon enough.
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/d ... 26=1126635
This can't happen soon enough.
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Forest Park is missing an opportunity here to extend the Brickline through the park and eventually reach the WashU node of bike infrastructure. Lagoon seems like the best E/W route for it (or maybe Lindell) and they are already redoing it. Would be easy enough during this state to reconfigure the bike paths to align with Brickline branding to eventually connect with the greater system.
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I am pretty sure that there is a plan for that (but I’d have to look at the maps on Great Rivers)GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑3:16 PM - Jan 14Forest Park is missing an opportunity here to extend the Brickline through the park and eventually reach the WashU node of bike infrastructure. Lagoon seems like the best E/W route for it (or maybe Lindell) and they are already redoing it. Would be easy enough during this state to reconfigure the bike paths to align with Brickline branding to eventually connect with the greater system.
I walked through there not too long ago, the size feels massive. Will there be a new entrance to Kingshighway to match?
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Jewel Box in danger of closing due to a need of $5m in critical repairs
I'll be shocked if Forest Park Forever will allow the Jewel Box to close.
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Drove by today. 8-10 windows out in the front. Feel like this is temp driven failure. Needs some TLC but 5 mil seems like a plea to donors for a big Reno
I know some of us feel kind of feel icky about the ai renderings (sorry), but this is something I feel like we're missing in STL with our hot summers getting even hotter and more humid every year. But I love Barton Springs and a version of that for us could work well on Picnic Island in Forest Park which already has a beach (though its a rock beach) on it too, so this wouldn't be too much of a stretch. 
But this is close enough to the boathouse that a concession stand could serviced by the boathouse AND you could also do this at the spot just below Hammock garden to be closer to the Boathouse also, though I think it would be harder since that ledge is pretty steep there I could be wrong...
Disclaimer, I realize that there is risk of bacteria, runoff, sewer overflow with "River Des Peres" but with an isolated swimming area you could reduce risk, though this is an environmental engineering question. And then maybe the beach is a wading / toe-in only with a barrier so you can't get below 1-2 ft. This is just a concept for the idea... but it would be so popular and a huge hit if something like this could be done.
I also realize Forest Park is more of a "habitat restoration" park and this is a bit out of character, but I think this concept could work in other parks too... (finished disclaimers)
But this is close enough to the boathouse that a concession stand could serviced by the boathouse AND you could also do this at the spot just below Hammock garden to be closer to the Boathouse also, though I think it would be harder since that ledge is pretty steep there I could be wrong... Disclaimer, I realize that there is risk of bacteria, runoff, sewer overflow with "River Des Peres" but with an isolated swimming area you could reduce risk, though this is an environmental engineering question. And then maybe the beach is a wading / toe-in only with a barrier so you can't get below 1-2 ft. This is just a concept for the idea... but it would be so popular and a huge hit if something like this could be done.
I also realize Forest Park is more of a "habitat restoration" park and this is a bit out of character, but I think this concept could work in other parks too... (finished disclaimers)
Love it!pattimagee wrote: ↑3:12 PM - 11 days agoI know some of us feel kind of feel icky about the ai renderings (sorry), but this is something I feel like we're missing in STL with our hot summers getting even hotter and more humid every year. But I love Barton Springs and a version of that for us could work well on Picnic Island in Forest Park which already has a beach (though its a rock beach) on it too, so this wouldn't be too much of a stretch.
Disclaimer, I realize that there is risk of bacteria, runoff, sewer overflow with "River Des Peres" but with an isolated swimming area you could reduce risk, though this is an environmental engineering question. And then maybe the beach is a wading / toe-in only with a barrier so you can't get below 1-2 ft. This is just a concept for the idea... but it would be so popular and a huge hit if something like this could be done.