Bicycling

Great Rivers Greenway

By Jill Cook

September–October 2011

Historical September–October 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

“Build it and they will come.” While that line might best be remembered in reference to a baseball field in the middle of a corn field, it is what some people are hoping for with the soon finished Great Rivers Greenway Centennial Greenway. Great Rivers Greenway (GRG), a voter approved tax initiative to build a system of connecting paved paths and green spaces, has been working on the local part of its Centennial Greenway.

The greenway will connect Washington University with the Loop, then with Heman Park and eventually up to the Olive Boulevard/I-170 interchange. Susan Trautman, GRG executive director, said she hopes residents and visitors will consider the greenways an opportunity to leave the car behind. “It is more than just a form of transportation,” Trautman said. “The greenways connect communities, increasing business and entertainment opportunities. People can experience nature— and it promotes good health.” The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Washington University to north of Delmar section of the Centennial Greenway, held July 29, was an important event for GRG, as it steps one greenway closer to the finished vision. “There is always a sense of joy and satisfaction when a ribbon is cut,” Trautman said. “Success is watching people use and celebrate the greenway in their own way.” Some community members are looking forward to celebrating the greenway’s benefits. Ben Fuller, DeBaliviere Place neighborhood resident, looks forward to the opportunity just to explore something new. “I like the fact that they’re creating opportunities for us to enjoy new paths and new scenery,” Fuller said. “While there have been improvements to the Forest Park bike paths, it’s the same park.

This certainly will encourage locals—and me—to explore someplace different.” If the success of other greenways, like Grant’s Trail, is any indication of the Centennial Greenway’s success, then the new path is sure to get lots of use. “Every form of wheel is out there now,” Trautman said in reference to Grant’s Trail. “And as we build new paths they become stronger.” Indeed, according to traillink.com, Grant’s Trail boasts more than 100,000 users every year.

But GRG greenways were planned with more than just exercise and nature in mind.

The system of greenways—known as The River Ring—design is similar to what you will find in Minneapolis. And considering Minneapolis was recently voted as the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States by bicycling.com, this bodes well for St. Louis. David Fisher, Trautman’s predecessor, came to St. Louis from Minneapolis. “Having established a greenway in Minneapolis, David developed the vision of the River Ring for St. Louis,” Trautman said.

The design, when finished, will include about 600 miles of greenways that will connect St. Louis City, St. Louis and St. Charles counties and even cross the Mississippi River to connect with projects in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

This connection will give people a different way to explore what neighboring communities have to offer. Such a large undertaking, however, cannot be taken without working in coordination with municipal governments and local residents. Stephen Kraft, University City Ward 1 council member, whose ward part of the Centennial Greenway goes through, recognized the importance of working together. “There is definitely a diversity of opinion on the bikeways,” Kraft said. “But we’ll try to listen to people and see what they want.” And GRG planned ahead by creating multiple route designs. “We in some cases have a number of different possibilities of connectivity and will work to find what works with everyone,” Trautman said.

The biggest drawback to having to work with community members and leaders has not necessarily been the difference in opinion, though.

According to Trautman and Kraft, in tough economic times it’s difficult for many municipal governments to set aside the resources needed, especially when creating a balanced budget has become a challenge and a main priority.

But GRG is “constantly looking for creative ways to facilitate project completion,” Trautman said. For the Centennial Greenway, Washington University donated some of its land to allow a connection to Forest Park.

The path crosses over Forest Park Parkway via a pedestrian bridge near the university’s power plant building.

The greenway then follows Ackert Walkway Avenue, which runs parallel to Melville Avenue, and connects to Delmar Boulevard between Blueberry Hill and Fitz’s Grill & Bottling Works.

It continues north along Leland Avenue, then travels west along Vernon Avenue to Heman Park.

The path will later expand west near Balson Avenue, north near North Jackson Avenue, west near Shaftesbury Avenue, then along a waterway until it meets up with Olive Boulevard east of I-170. Its end goal will be to connect with St. Charles, costing a little more than $2 million.

When necessary, GRG purchases the land it needs for the paths, explaining a good portion of the cost. “We own 1452 acres,” Trautman said. “And we maintain most of them unless we have an agreement with another agency to maintain.” For more information on the Great Rivers Greenway, visit their website at greatrivers.info. Or for information and maps on regional bicycling trails, visit mobikefed.org or stlbiking.com.