Historical November–December 1998 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Editor’s Note: Cohen is a longtime resident of Skinker DeBaliviere and represents environmental groups on the Forest Park Advisory Board. Work has begun in earnest on the new water system in Forest Park.
This part of the Master Plan is called the Heart of the Park Program.
When completed in the year 2001, water will flow from the Cascades (close to Skinker and Forsyth) to Jefferson Lake (close to Kingshighway). Construction is underway on a new stream channel near Steinberg Rink as well as on bridges in front of the Muny where a new channel will be dug. Features of the Heart of the Park will include wetlands, native plant meadows, a braided stream, rapids, and a spring which has been uncovered. Major goals of the Heart of the Park are a reduction of flooding and the creation of a natural, passive spine that runs through the park.
The Kennedy Woods, located in the southwest part of the park, is the site of two new trails. Both begin off of Wells Dr. just west of the zoo boundary. One is a quarter mile handicapped accessible trail through the woods.
The other is a longer trail that crosses both Government and Valley Drives and loops around the field that runs along Skinker north of the golf course.
This field is where a savanna (a prairie with a scattering of trees) is being restored.
During the winter, native grass and flower seeds will be planted. Over the next few years, you can watch the ecosystem which once dominated our area spring back to life. Other projects under or near construction are: 1) the restoration of the Worlds Fair Pavilion; 2) the expansion of the History Museum; 3) the re-routing of Fine Arts Dr. so that it will run into Government Dr. (near the zoo) instead of the current angle intersection.
The redesign of the Municipal Golf Course is a project that is widely anticipated.
It will accomplish one of the public’s highest priorities-the removal of the holes from Art Hill. Construction may begin as early as late 1999.
Residents of Skinker DeBaliviere have voiced their concerns about the distance the new course will be kept from Lindell, and about the deletion from the Master Plan of a path from DesPeres to Art Hill. Current plans include the creation of a dual path buffer along Lindell with additional space allocated for passive park use near the Lindell/ DesPeres intersection.
A pond will separate the open space from the golf course. Detailed plans for the golf course are being developed.
They will be presented to the Citizens Advisory Board three times in increasing levels of detail to make sure they are in compliance with the goals of the Master Plan. Anyone interested in a more direct involvement with the implementation of the Master Plan is welcome to attend the meetings of the Citizens Advisory Board which normally are held on the third Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the Science Center on Oakland Ave. You may verify the schedule by calling the Parks Dept. at 535-0100.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 1998.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1998_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 5.
