Construction of the first 1.63 miles of the planned seven-mile Maline Greenway in North St. Louis County is scheduled to begin in March in Bellefontaine Neighbors.

This phase of the new greenway will be built primarily within Bella Fontaine Park, in partnership with St. Louis County Parks Department, and will create a safe, seamless connection between both sides of the park and make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to connect to transit on Lewis and Clark Blvd. The $2.6 million construction project includes new and refurbished, ADA accessible walking and biking paths and the replacement of three bridges. A new underpass will also be constructed beneath Lewis & Clark Blvd. in order to link both sides of the park.

Additional improvements to the park include a new raingarden and stream bank restoration along Maline Creek to better manage storm water and prevent erosion. Construction has been coordinated with Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to coincide with planned improvements to the waste and storm water infrastructure in the area. There will also be new landscaping, including more than 300 trees and shrubs along with new seating areas for people to relax and enjoy the fresh air.

“It’s exciting to break ground on a brand new greenway,” said Patrick Owens, Great Rivers Greenway Project Manager. “This first phase will not only enhance Bella Fontaine Park for all visitors, but also make it easier and safer for people to connect to transit.”

The master plan for the seven-mile Maline Greenway calls for an east-west link between the Mississippi Greenway (sometimes called the Riverfront Trail) and the St. Vincent Greenway in North St. Louis County. The greenway will pass though the cities of Berkeley, Kinloch, Ferguson, Jennings, Moline Acres, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Riverview and the City of St. Louis, as well as unincorporated St. Louis County. Approximately 70,000 people reside in this greenway corridor that will eventually connect more than 350 acres of park land.

As progress continues on the first phase of the Maline Greenway, Great Rivers Greenway will be seeking community feedback on the second phase of the project, which is expected to connect West Florissant Avenue and Ferguson’s Forestwood Park. Construction on the first phase is expected to last approximately twelve months.