ST. LOUIS — What was once a gravel parking lot is now the new Chain of Rocks Park. It is ready for visitors as the grand opening is set for this weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • The new park is part of the Great Rivers Greenway project and is a destination along the Mississippi Greenway, also known as the Riverfront Trail

  • Park amenities include a picnic pavilion, restrooms, a drinking fountain, walking and biking access to historic the bridge with a river overlook, food truck area, more

  • Wetlands and woodlands have been restored there, which provide food and shelter for native wildlife, including migratory birds

  • The community is invited to the grand opening Sunday, April 14, from 2-4 p.m. There will be music, food and activities for all ages
 

The new park is part of the Great Rivers Greenway project and is a destination along the Mississippi Greenway, also known as the Riverfront Trail, according to Dallas Adams, Great Rivers Greenway communications manager.

The Chain of Rocks Park took over a year to complete and received a $990,000 grant from the National Park Service through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program.

“We are so excited to open the Chain of Rocks Park,” Adams said. “There hasn’t really been a space to activate beyond the bridge,” adding that the Chain of Rocks Bridge itself is a relic to St. Louis history.

“It’s been around for decades and holds so many great memories for St. Louisans,” she said.

The park is located on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which totals 16 acres. The site is bounded by Interstate 270 to the north, the Mississippi River to the east, the water treatment plant to the south, and Riverview Drive to the west.

The community is invited to the grand opening Sunday, April 14, from 2-4 p.m. There will be music, food and activities for all ages.

There will not be parking onsite on Sunday, however, attendees can park at the North Riverfront located at 9810 Riverview Drive, according to Adams.

Attendees also can bike over from Chouteau Island with members of Trailnet, starting about an hour before the grand opening. Chouteau Island is located in Granite City, Ill.

Park amenities include a picnic pavilion, restrooms, a drinking fountain, walking and biking access to historic the bridge with a river overlook, a parking lot and an overflow grass lot, event lawn and food truck area for community events, and local artwork that reflects the Mississippi Flyway migratory route and Chain of Rocks River geology.

The park also has a gated entrance, staff will be on site during peak hours, as well as parking lot lighting, video surveillance cameras and an emergency phone.

“We wanted to make sure that this is a safe, secure place for people to enjoy the outdoors,” Adams said.

Additionally, wetlands and woodlands have been restored there, which provide food and shelter for native wildlife, including migratory birds.

There also is an unpaved footpath through native habitats, in addition to signs and explanations of native habitats and nature-based stormwater management.

A new 1.5 acre reconstructed prairie at the park is underway.

For more information about Great Rivers Greenway, click here.