Together with our project partners and people from across the region, we celebrated the completion of Chain of Rocks Park, a new 16-acre public park on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi Greenway (also known as the Riverfront Trail).

The free, public opening celebration featured live music from the Saint Boogie Brass Band and food from Falafel Saha and Destination Desserts food trucks. Activities included a group bike ride with Trailnet, a canoe trip with Big Muddy Adventures, ‘zine making with Simiya Sudduth (artist who created new artwork at Chain of Rocks Park), yoga with Yoga Buzz, and a guided tour of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge with the Missouri History Museum.

Located at 10840 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137, Chain of Rocks Park is bounded by I-270 to the north, the Mississippi River to the east, the City of St. Louis Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant to the south, and Riverview Drive to the west. Its visitor amenities, habitat and security improvements include:

-Event lawn and food truck area with water and electricity for community gatherings.
-A picnic pavilion for group gatherings.
-Direct walking and biking access to the historic bridge with river overlook.
-Portable restroom and drinking fountains for daily use
-Local artwork by Simiya Sudduth that highlights the Mississippi Flyway migratory route and Chain of Rocks geology.
-A new 1.5-acre reconstructed prairie in progress with plans for an unpaved footpath running through the prairie.
-Permeable parking lot that allows water to flow through it, an overflow grass parking lot, and rain gardens to reduce stormwater runoff from the site.
-Restoration of wetlands and woodlands that provide food and shelter for native wildlife, including migratory birds.
-Fence around site and gated entrance with staff on site during peak visiting hours.
-Lighting in parking lot and video surveillance cameras.
-Emergency phone.

“This project has been in the making since 2019,” said GRG CEO Susan Trautman. “We’ve worked alongside neighbors and other stakeholders to plan and build a beautiful, welcoming place on the western end of this beloved and historic bridge on the Mississippi Greenway. We are thrilled to open Chain of Rocks Park for local, national and international visitors to enjoy the bridge, the Mississippi River and the greenway.”

The park was funded by local sales tax dollars, federal grants and donors to the Great Rivers Greenway Foundation. In 2021, the project was awarded a $990,000 grant from the National Park Service through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program—one of just 19 projects nationwide. This grant was matched by donations from the Mysun Charitable Foundation and the William R. Orthwein Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation. Restoration of the prairie was reimbursed in part by a cost sharing program with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

GRG and its partners have several free events planned at Chain of Rocks Park in 2024, including “sunsets and snow cones” (free snow cones in the park and a walk on the bridge to watch the sunset), guided bird walks, and greenway walking tours. See all greenway events here.