Live music, photo booth & sweet treats to celebrate St. Louis' newest riverfront destination on Laclede's Landing

A crowd of nearly 200 community members gathered for the celebratory opening of the Katherine Ward Burg Garden on the Mississippi Greenway at Laclede’s Landing on April 23. The event included a ribbon-cutting, live music, a photo booth and free dessert.

“It was wonderful to see the Katherine Ward Burg Garden filled with people celebrating their new park against the backdrop of the river and historic Eads Bridge,” said Susan Trautman, Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) CEO.

St. Louis’ newest riverfront open space is a half-acre plaza along the Mississippi Greenway at Laclede’s Landing. The greenway runs along the industrial riverfront to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The garden was designed as a flexible and welcoming open space to attract visitors. Its amenities include a trellis, sloping paths, swings and a seating wall that can be used for special events and programming. It also has a mix of native plants that will capture rainwater, support pollinators and add beauty.

“It not only extends the momentum of Gateway Arch National Park to the north riverfront, but also offers a one-of-a-kind connection to the sights and sounds of the Mississippi River in the heart of Laclede’s Landing,” said Trautman.

The opening of the Katherine Ward Burg Garden is one step in the long-term plan to redevelop the St. Louis riverfront north of the Eads Bridge and Gateway Arch National Park. Great Rivers Greenway’s role in that plan is creating spaces like the Katherine Ward Burg Garden that can withstand major floods that are common in this area and provide value to community members when dry.

“Planning and building the connections people want involves collaboration with many partners, extensive civic engagement, technical feasibility and then bringing it all together,” said Trautman. “We’re thrilled to be delivering more spaces and greenways that directly benefit communities every day and get people excited about the St. Louis region.”

The garden honors Katherine Ward Burg, a lifelong St. Louisan and professional photographer. Ward Burg immersed herself in the natural world and loved exploring the Mississippi River and St. Louis riverfront. The garden was funded in part thanks to a bequest from the estate of Katherine Ward Burg along with Great Rivers Greenway funds.