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Commentary

Editor’s Notebook — Forest Park Planning And Access

September 1995

Historical September 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

As many of you know, Mayor Bosley initiated a process to create a new master plan for Forest Park in December 1993. Since that time, there have been many meetings of the Executive Committee, Planning Committee, and public gatherings to debate many critical issues. Land use has been a particular bone of contention. Should institutions be allowed to expand? What role can the Arena have in expansion planning? Should there be more passive space? Or, should the passive areas be linked? What should be done about golf which takes up a significant area in the park and facilities for other sports?

There are no easy answers to any of these questions.

On Monday, September 18, there will be a hearing at the History Library and Research Center, 225 S. Skinker, at 5:30pm.

The Planning Committee’s design for the use of space will be presented.

This is the key opportunity for the public to voice any concerns or ask any questions before this section of the Master Plan is adopted. Everyone is welcome to attend.

As it now stands, the Committee is in favor of a plan for the golf course that would remove Grand Drive and relocate the clubhouse to about what is the intersection of Grand and Des Peres now.

This design will allow a greater area for contiguous passive space.

However, it denies residents of Skinker DeBaliviere entry to parkland by foot in a relatively easy way.

This means that many families would have to drive into the park to enjoy the passive area. At present, there is a strip of park land before the golf course begins where people can rest or amble.

The bike and roller blade and running path would remain where it is, which is good for those of us who are joggers, etc.

However, it is more difficult for someone who wants to stroll through an attractive area without resorting to the internal combustion engine. Forest Park is our neighborhood park.

We should be able to use it easily.

It is possible to design the new golf area so that a path will go from Lindell by the new golf facility to the passive space.

If you feel as I do, please let people know. Contact John Hoal at the Development Corp., 622-3200, come to the meeting or speak to Ald. McGuire. Many people have focused on the institutions and their possible encroachment on park land; easy access for neighbors should be a significant issue as well.

Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1995.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Original source: SD_Times1995_09.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.

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