by Don Corrigan
A 1,500-foot long dinner table would normally suffice for most birthday parties, but revelers may want to show up early to get a place at the table got GRG’s 25th anniversary shindig.
The table will be set for Monday, Sept. 15 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the circle drive at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. The Great Gather Round Table event will feature local DJs, free cupcakes, sweet art for everyone and local food trucks.
Webster-Kirkwood hikers and bikers have benefitted from trails close to home, including the River des Peres Greenway, Gravois Greenway (Grant’s Trail), and the Meramec Greenway with a major tailhead at Kirkwood’s Greentree Park along the river.
GRG’s system of trails features 140 miles of paved pathways that bring neighborhoods together and give people safe places to walk, bike, run, and roll – on skates. They’re available for exercise, to commute or for making memories.
“This anniversary reminds us of how much we can accomplish when we work together across the region,” said Mark Perkins, incoming CEO at GRG. “The greenways we’ve built are only the beginning. We’re excited for what the next 25 years will bring.”
Perkins began his duties Aug. 4 as the third CEO of the organization, following Susan Trautman’s retirement as GRG head. His leadership begins a five-year process to update GRG’s strategic plan with public engagement.
The public engagement on Sept. 15 at the history museum will be primarily celebratory, with a host of activities. Emma Klues, vice president of communication for GRG, enumerated those activities, ranging from GRG Bingo, to a Greenway Challenge and more.
“With the Greenway Bingo, players will hunt for special sights along the greenways to mark off their cards,” explained Klues. “ Players can turn in their cards for special greenway stickers, tote bags and grand prize packs.”
Greenways fans can pick up special 25th anniversary bingo cards at GRG’s office, at events, or online at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/bingo.
“With the online Greenway Challenge, interactive game players can bring a greenway project to life on time, on budget, and with innovation and positive impact,” Klues said.
“Players pick a setting – urban, suburban or rural – and find partners and then get to work,” said Klues. “They make critical decisions at each stage of the process, from design, construction, and ongoing operations.”
Related events connected with GRG’s birthday include a Community Arts Training Cohort program developed with the Regional Arts Commission. On Sept. 13, an arts and wellness festival is slated along the St. Vincent Greenway in St. Vincent Park.
A follow-up event is planned for Sept. 27, with an arts and community resource festival along the Mississippi Greenway. More details are available at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/25th.
Also planned for early November is a panel of both national and local experts who will discuss “The Civic Power of Greenways: 25 Years of Trust, Trails, & Transformation.” Details are in the works.
Looking ahead, there are seven projects in the offing, including the Brickline Greenway, a 10-mile project in St. Louis City that will connect four anchor parks and 14 neighborhoods. It’s on track to finish in 2030.
GRG’s long-term plan is to build 600 miles of greenways, with the agency committed to making the entire St. Louis region a healthier, more vibrant place to live for generations to come.
Closer to home in Webster-Kirkwood, Klues noted the planned redesign of the Unger Park trails and site across the Meramec River from Kirkwood’s Greentree Park. Unger Park is accessible to Kirkwood via the pathway over the I-44 bridge, just west of a trailhead near Emmenegger Park.
“That area and its amenities are still in the planning stages with St. Louis County, and we have been receiving community feedback on what residents are interested in for Unger Park development,” Klues said.
GRG began with the passage of Proposition C in November 2000. Voter approval of that sales tax initiative has funded construction of miles of accessible outdoor greenway spaces to improve community life.
Great Rivers Greenway is one of the only greenway projects in America that spans three counties and 120 municipalities, demonstrating a rare and sustained level of regional cooperation.
Since 2000, the average St. Louisan has invested about 50 cents per month (less than $6 per year) toward the network of greenways and parks to make the region vibrant, resilient and connected.
To learn more about the anniversary events, explore greenways near you, or to get involved, visit www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/2025 or follow @GreatRiversSTL on social media.
Environmental Echo 