Connectivity enlivens more than 140 miles of greenways, expanding public outdoor access across the St. Louis region
Each segment of the Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) in metro St. Louis, Mo., holds a story. Established via a public vote in November 2000 and funded through a sales tax levied across St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, growing the Greenway is a cooperative endeavor among 100+ municipalities and institutions. In any given budget year, the organization advances 25-30 projects in the listening, planning, design, and construction phases.
More than remaking the map, developing 140 miles (and counting) of interconnected trails and parks promotes a shared vision around active transportation, civic and economic development, health, and conservation.
GRG Vice President of Communications & Outreach Emma Klues says multiple priorities intersect within each project, and specific goals “dial up and down,” based on the potential in that area and community input. Ultimately, walking or rolling on the Greenway should feel like a natural choice, whether people are running errands, exercising, or simply going outside for some fresh air.
“The greenways do a really good job of letting you ‘make a day of it,’” Klues says. "Instead of just going to a destination, you might be more likely to happen upon a shop or find that hole-in-the-wall restaurant. When those things are all threaded together, you explore your city differently than you might otherwise.”
As GRG notes, greenway projects “transcend political boundaries and unite [partners] based on watersheds, not zip codes or city limits.” That means many collaborations require creative solutions that center on what needs to happen in the community—versus what specific partners traditionally bring to the table.
