Hangin' on a Lake Beach!
I'm by no means an aquatic ecologist or hydrologist, but I'm guessing its favorable to a project like this that the Taylor Kindle river is fed from treated water supplies, and the runoff basin is pretty much completely contained to the park's boundaries with major storm runoff from surrounding areas going into the underground River des Peres. With all of the waterways now connected there is the benefit of less stagnant pools now as well. Seems like these features would make it more straightforward to control water quality. Someone more qualified would have to make that claim though.pattimagee wrote: ↑3:12 PM - Apr 13I 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)
I could see the first concern with the Picnic Island site being "parking" (ick) as well as accessibility concerns, as well as being too close to the more ecologically designed Wildlife Island. Maybe the strip of shore to the northwest of the Boathouse would be a better location? Better accessibility to the Visitor Center Lots and more shared infrastructure opportunities with concessions, restrooms, etc. Consolidating more disruptive human activity to one area of the Lake would likely be better from an environmental standpoint. Any location would surely require plenty of terraforming.
Yeah - agreed, I think there are probably 3-4 shorelines in that section that could realistically work... and I wouldn't be super concerned with parking, because my biggest worry would be that it could be too popular and overcrowded, in which case the island could be capped at a certain amount of people knowing there are entrances/exits and parking being an issue might help keep it from having those issues, lol. The good thing is you can access it from parking on Lagoon Drive, the Art Museum, or Gov't Drive with not too much walking. I guess if it was overcrowded anyone could easily just have a day in the park on the grass instead, which isn't a bad 2nd optionkg2024 wrote: ↑8:08 PM - Apr 13I'm by no means an aquatic ecologist or hydrologist, but I'm guessing its favorable to a project like this that the Taylor Kindle river is fed from treated water supplies, and the runoff basin is pretty much completely contained to the park's boundaries with major storm runoff from surrounding areas going into the underground River des Peres. With all of the waterways now connected there is the benefit of less stagnant pools now as well. Seems like these features would make it more straightforward to control water quality. Someone more qualified would have to make that claim though.pattimagee wrote: ↑3:12 PM - Apr 13I 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.
I could see the first concern with the Picnic Island site being "parking" (ick) as well as accessibility concerns, as well as being too close to the more ecologically designed Wildlife Island. Maybe the strip of shore to the northwest of the Boathouse would be a better location? Better accessibility to the Visitor Center Lots and more shared infrastructure opportunities with concessions, restrooms, etc. Consolidating more disruptive human activity to one area of the Lake would likely be better from an environmental standpoint. Any location would surely require plenty of terraforming.
Some updated photos of Steinberg Updates
A nice article/update on the project underway to transform the Steinberg/"Glade" section of Forest Park into a year-round destination, from St. Louis Magazine (published yesterday).
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It looks beautiful.
Going to be a lot of construction lingering at the NE corner of FP for the next couple years. Union & Lindell Bridge starts next year. Grand Dr replacement is in the works. And hopefully, FPF replaces the pedestrian bridge that was knocked by the boom truck.
Going to be a lot of construction lingering at the NE corner of FP for the next couple years. Union & Lindell Bridge starts next year. Grand Dr replacement is in the works. And hopefully, FPF replaces the pedestrian bridge that was knocked by the boom truck.
Hopefully when they replace the pedestrian bridge they will replace the whole path as well to be ADA compliant. It will just take some grading work
We were in Tulsa a few weeks ago and stumbled upon The Gathering. Does STL have anything like this? It was massive, like a playground theme park. Forest Park would be perfect for this. https://www.gatheringplace.org/
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Brentwood's new park is the closest thing: https://www.brentwoodmo.org/2437/Brentwood-ParkDbehrens0111 wrote: ↑4:15 PM - Aug 18We were in Tulsa a few weeks ago and stumbled upon The Gathering. Does STL have anything like this? It was massive, like a playground theme park. Forest Park would be perfect for this. https://www.gatheringplace.org/
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It's great.
Skinker and Forsyth
Redesigned Forest Park Entrance Will Improve Mobility, Invite Visitors to Top Urban Park
https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/ ... s-memorial
Redesigned Forest Park Entrance Will Improve Mobility, Invite Visitors to Top Urban Park
https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/ ... s-memorial
^ Nice. However, I wish they would have fix the Union Boulevard/Lindell Boulevard Bridge first.
Also looks like they are calling it "the glade" in these hype videos.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddj3kLulBOn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddj3kLulBOn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The paths/landscaping/sitting area up around Kingshighway and Laclede on the backside of this project appear to be done/close to done. Great direct access for CWE residents (other than Stroad) to the new rink/splash pad and restaurant. Pretty excited for this one!
I’m at forest park almost everyday to get in my exercise & can’t wait till this opens up. The landscaping is coming along very nicely. This & the boathouse are looking great along with Albion. Thanks for sharing.
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Looking good. Love to see the continued investment in Forest Park as arguably one of the regions biggest assets.
Looks like The Glade (Steinberg Rink) is opening on November 30th
https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/glade-steinberg-reopening-dates
The Glade in Forest Park Opens November 30 with Ice Skating’s Return to Steinberg Rink
https://www.forestparkforever.org/news/glade-steinberg-reopening-dates
The Glade in Forest Park Opens November 30 with Ice Skating’s Return to Steinberg Rink
Already started to pour the ice: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfqEdHFAdw8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&xtok=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — Forest Park Forever has announced the opening dates and festivities to kick off the 2026-27 ice skating season in Forest Park, with historic Steinberg Rink reopening at the center of The Glade, a modern, 22-acre feature that will be alive with activity in all seasons.
Skating returns on Monday, Nov. 30, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting followed by the reopening of Steinberg Rink and the first skating sessions that evening. Public skating will be available each night that week leading up to The Glade Welcome Weekend, Friday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 6, which will be filled with activities and programming to kick off the winter season.
Visitors who want to be among the first to skate at The Glade that week can now buy tickets and reserve skate rentals and skate tutors in advance at forestparkforever.org/glade-tickets.
And welcome weekend is December 4-6
We're not calling it Steinberg anymore? Give me a break. This is St. Louis. It'll always be Steinberg. 
The rink itself is still the Steinberg Rink. The overall area is The Glade.symphonicpoet wrote: ↑6:15 AM - 1 day agoWe're not calling it Steinberg anymore? Give me a break. This is St. Louis. It'll always be Steinberg.
