Missouri Bicycle News

The Great Rivers Greenway District, the public organization leading the development of a region-wide network of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, will celebrate the completion of major improvements to the Riverfront Trail with a Ribbon Cutting and Bike Ride

The ribbon cutting will be Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 6 p.m. at the newly constructed plaza, located on the Riverfront Trail near the intersection of Lewis and Biddle Street.

The public also is invited to ride or hike the Riverfront Trail following the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the season opening for the Tuesday Night Riverfront Trail Rides sponsored by Trailnet, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting active living, the Confluence Project and The Greenway District. Featuring choices of rides from seven to 27 miles, the weekly Tuesday Night Riverfront Trail Rides are held 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., through August 21. Rides begin from the parking garage at Lucas and Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., north of Washington Ave. and secure parking is available for $1 with a coupon from the SAG (service and gear) van.

"The Great Rivers Greenway District has been an excellent public partner and I'm excited about the improvements they are making in the City of St. Louis," said Mayor Francis Slay. "Their efforts are making St. Louis a more enjoyable place to live, visit, and pedal."

The 12-mile long North Riverfront Trail, a St. Louis City-owned trail that traverses the Mississippi River from the Arch to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, has been extensively renovated by The Great Rivers Greenway District and the St. Louis City. Construction and design Improvements include totally repaving asphalt along the entire length of the trail, creating rest stops at four new pocket park-like plazas, as well as drinking fountains and signage at strategic locations along the trail.

Offering spectacular views along the Mississippi River shoreline, the trail is designed for biking, hiking or just to enjoy nature. Diverse wildlife and native grasses and wildflowers include switch grass, wild Sweet William, ox-eye daisies, black-eyed susan, purple cone flower and aster. Trees include cotton wood, lofty sycamore, five varieties of oak, butternut, water hickory, and pecan.

An important attraction situated on the trail is the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, the first nationally-recognized historic Underground Railroad site in Missouri. With a special grant from The Great Rivers Greenway District, the Mary Meachum site is being developed by the Grace Hill AmeriCorpsTrail Rangers into a major St. Louis cultural attraction that will be a destination for visitors who may not ordinarily share trails or trail-related activities.

In addition to The Great Rivers Greenway District, partners for the Riverfront Trail include the City of St. Louis, Trailnet, Confluence Greenway and Grace Hill Neighborhood Services.


About The Great Rivers Greenway District:
The Great Rivers Greenway District is the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, known as the River Ring. The River Ring will join two states and cover an area of 1,216 square miles. The Greenway District was established in November 2000 by the successful passage of the Clean Water, Safe Parks and Community Trails Initiative (Proposition C) in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, Missouri. For more information about Great Rivers Greenway District, visit www.greatrivers.info.

Related:

News: Wayne Goode Trail dedication at UMSL April 18

News: McKinley Bridge Bikeway and Trestle at Branch Street Opening June 7th

permanent link to article: "STL Riverfront Trail Grand Re-opening May 1, 2007"
posted by Brent Hugh at 4/20/2007 08:43:00 PM |comment on this article