Open House for North County Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway invites area residents to hear conceptual plans and provide input for new greenway project in North St. Louis County

St. Louis, Mo., March 16, 2011 … After meeting with citizens and community leaders last fall to obtain valuable input on the new Maline Greenway, a walking and bike trail connecting 10 communities in North St. Louis County, Great Rivers Greenway has announced it is now rolling out its conceptual plans at two open houses later this month. The first open house will be held Thursday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Recreational Center, which is located at 9969 Bellefontaine Road; and the second open house will take place on Tuesday, March 29, from 6-8 p.m., at Ferguson Middle School, located at 701 January Ave. in Ferguson. Attendees can arrive anytime between the designated 6-8 p.m. time frame.

Great Rivers Greenway is encouraging residents and stakeholders from the communities of Bellefontaine Neighbors, Berkeley, Cool Valley, Ferguson, Jennings, Kinloch, Moline Acres and the Village of Riverview, as well as the City of St. Louis and Unincorporated St. Louis County, to come and review the plans for the new walking and bike trail and provide additional input for the project. Those attending the open houses will get a first-hand glimpse at how their communities will benefit from the new Maline Greenway, which will be an integral part of the interconnected system of trails and greenways that Great Rivers Greenway is creating for our region.  Free snacks and children’s crafts also will be available during the event.

“Our plan for Maline Greenway is intended to inspire citizens, developers, community organizations and local governments to work together to form an interconnected trail system along Maline Creek, ultimately providing children and families with a safe option for exercise, commuting and outdoor activities,” said Susan Trautman, Executive Director of Great Rivers Greenway. “We are thrilled to share conceptual plans with the public, and we encourage residents to join us on March 24 or March 29 so we can hear further ideas on how we can improve this greenway.”

The planning process for Maline Greenway began last October, when two open houses allowed attendees to provide input on trailhead locations, existing conditions and desired amenities. The project team used that information to plan the new greenway, which will start in Berkeley, travel east along the Maline Creek and end at the Riverfront Trail, near the 112-acre North Riverfront Park in the City of St. Louis. Once completed, Maline Greenway will connect to the North Riverfront Trail in the Mississippi Greenway on the east, and on the west, the greenway will connect with the St. Vincent Greenway, which continues southeastward to Forest Park. Maline Greenway will consist of approximately 7.5 miles of linear parks and trails, providing North County with a direct route to the Mississippi Riverfront, while serving as a much-needed safe and serene space for families and residents to enjoy the outdoors.

Greenways, which can take several years to build, are a collaborative effort between Great Rivers Greenway, neighborhood stakeholders and local municipalities. They connect people and communities, protect and preserve the environment, create access to natural places, promote good health, expand transportation options and transit connections and stimulate economic vitality in our region. To learn more about the Maline Greenway or to access a flyer for the open houses, visit www.grgstl.org.

About Great Rivers Greenway:
Great Rivers Greenway is a public organization developing an interconnected system of trails and greenways to make the region a better place to live. These linear green spaces link neighborhoods and communities, increase the economic vitality of the region, preserve nature, provide transportation alternatives, and improve health. Great Rivers Greenway includes St. Louis City and County and St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.grgstl.org.