2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Faust Park Lone Elk Park
Sylvan Springs Park Bee Tree Park
Faust Park Mission St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to provide high quality parks, facilities, and recreation services that enhance residents’ lives through responsible and effective management of resources. Letter from the Director
Management We believe that St. Louis County Parks and the amenities we Director, Tom Ott offer contribute greatly to the overall quality of life in our Deputy Director, Brian Schaffer community. This past year has brought many challenges, Operations Manager, Don Gerling but it has also shown us how much our community values parks and greenspaces. Program Services Manager, Michael Biedenstein Fiscal Services Manager, June Bernaugh At the beginning of the pandemic, for the safety of residents Park Ranger Commander, Lieutenant John Pfanstiel and staff, all parks and facilities were closed to stop the spread of COVID-19. During that time, staff continued to Design & Development Group Manager, Tobi Moriarty maintain parks, pivoted to virtual programs and prepared safety plans. Advisory Board When parks began reopening, parks staff worked tirelessly Diane Christy to maintain safety in parks and facilities. Programs and Dennis deJong services were modified to meet safety guidelines. Program Erica Hoffman staff helped train and implement Parks Ambassadors to remind park visitors to follow COVID-19 guidelines to Michael Meredith enjoy parks safety. Rangers implemented safeguards and Robert Muckler kept the parks safe. Operations staff cleaned and sanitized Gary Otten playgrounds, facilities and other high-touch areas regularly Gerard Sander and posted safety signage and guidelines. Otto Schoenberg Each park division worked together to serve residents. In 2020, the Operations Division maintained thousands of T able of Contents acres of park spaces for visitors. Rangers kept our parks safe and offered interpretive programing to citizens. The Design Annual Highlights...... 4 and Development Group completed projects and facility Financials...... 6 updates throughout the parks system. Program Services hosted a variety of safe events and programs for residents Staff...... 7 to enjoy. The Department’s largest and most popular event, Winter Wonderland, was modified to fit safety guidelines. Park Rangers...... 8 Even with changes, more than 170,000 people enjoyed the Park Programs...... 10 department’s signature event -- an all-time record!
Recreation Centers...... 12 Thank you to Parks Department staff for rising to the Historic & Cultural Sites...... 13 challenges of 2020 and delivering on our mission to provide high quality parks, facilities, and recreation services that Volunteers...... 16 enhance residents’ lives. We look forward to the year ahead. Completed Projects...... 17 Park Operations...... 18 Natural Resources...... 20
Parks Foundation...... 22 Thomas M. Ott Looking Ahead...... 23 Director, Saint Louis County Parks & Recreation (314) 615-7642 Icons in this report are from Pause08, Freepik, Smallikeart, Skyclick, Monkik, [email protected] Kiranshastry, Prosumbols, Eucalyp, Good Ware, Smashicons and Prettycons from www.flaticon.com. Annual Highlights
166 44 12,571 Miles of Trails Playgrounds Total Acres
1.4 Million 70+ 70,800+ Visits to our 6 Historic & Park Destinations Followers on Social Media Cultural Sites
8.8 Million Total St. Louis County Park Visitors31,208 at the Tails & Trails Dog 73 Weddings were held in Attendance Park St. Louis County Parks
49,000 51,828 Visitors enjoyed our 77 Shelters Total Volunteer Hours
4 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Bella Fontaine Park Cliff Cave Park
Creve Coeur Park
Jefferson Barracks Park Al Foster Trail
stlcountyparks.com 5 department financials 1.2% 3.4% 1.4% 4.1%
8.8% 44.4% 2020 Revenue Sources Property Tax...... 44.4% Sales Tax (Prop P)...... 22.3% Metro Parks Sales Tax...... 14.5% Rents & Concessions...... 8.8% 14.5% Other Revenue-Debt Service...... 4.1% Park & Rec Charges...... 3.4% Investment Earnings...... 1.4% Other Revenue...... 1.2%
22.3% 0.1%
4.5% 4.9%
7.7% 40.3% 2020 Expenditures Salaries...... 40.3% Fringes...... 18.3% 8.3% Purchased Services...... 15.9% Transfer Payments...... 8.3% Other Expenses...... 7.7% Commodities...... 4.9% Capital Allowances...... 4.5%
15.9% Personal Allowances...... 0.1%
18.3%
2021 Budgeted Revenue Sources 2021 Budgeted Expenditures Sales Tax (Arch-River Tax) $6,575,400 Salaries $13,330,043 Property Tax $12,456,311 Fringes $5,263,922 Metro Parks Sales Tax $4,265,900 Purchased Services $4,298,685 Rents & Concessions $3,222,770 Commodities $2,641,821 Park & Rec Charges $1,443,150 Personal Allowances $50,478 Other Revenue $430,190 Other Expenses $2,322,026 Other Revenue-Debt Service $1,125,000 Transfer Payments $1,941,000 Investment Earnings $231,704 Capital Allowances $1,074,145 Fund Balance $1,171,695 Total $30,922,120 Total $30,922,120
6 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Park Staff Through the hiring of new individuals, we were able to expand and improve upon our programs, facilities, trails, waterways and green space. We are sad to see employees go who dedicated a large part of their working years to the St. Louis County Parks Department, but we look forward to growing with our new employees.
New Hires Chris Hartig Kelly Plunket Chris Hartig OC Ranger Collection Admin FT Ranger Taylor Bechtold Tilles JB History MWI Sharon Hoyt Soccer Park Catherin Kartowski Cecelia Pullen Maintenance Supervisor OC Rec Facility Coordinator OC Rec Facility Coordinator Allen Bender Soccer Park NCRC Alexander Lambright OC Rec Facility Coordinator FT Ranger Affton John Kluba Jose Ramos MWI MWI Tonya Long William Bowen Creve Coeur Laumeier MWII MWI JB Amanda Kopp Jess Rothberg Mike McGinnity OC Concession Worker OC Ranger Maintenance Lead/Site Spencer Brown Soccer Park Tilles Coordinator MWII Trades / Asphalt Jonathan Lambert David Rowan Jess Rothberg OC Ranger Maintenance Supervisor FT Ranger Arron Bryant Ranger Spanish Lake OC Ranger Tilles Mark Manning Maddy Schrader Retirements MWI OC Concession Worker Madison Canoy Queeny Soccer Park Mike Kladky OC Concession Worker Museum Exhibit Tech, 30 Soccer Park Chelsea McDaniel Eric Urban years Rec Supervisor OC Rec Facility Coordinator Justin Cummings STV Soccer Park Doug Wolter BMW Horticulture Supervisor, 40 Lemay Robin McNabb Dave Van De Wiele years Animal Careworker Animal caregiver Greg Deane Suson Suson Dan Benford BMW MWI, 15 years GRC Ray Meyer Thresa Ware MWI Secretary Terry Chamberlain Allison Ermatinger Snyder The Pavilion Lemay Maint Supervisor, 40 years Secretary Affton Kevin Miller OC Rec Facility Coordinator Promotions Chris Esteep Affton Ashley Alder MWI Rec Facility Coordinator Faust Jessica Moore Secretary Sean Carey Holle Ezell GRC FT Ranger OC Concession Worker Soccer Park Abigail Gilson Joseph Oelke FT Ranger Dan Fleming Forestry Supervisor ML / SL Forestry Wiley Harris Soccer Park Maintenance Lead/Site Thomas Pitcher Coordinator Abigal Gillsom Building Systems Mech OC Ranger Trades / Plumber Assistant Tilles
stlcountyparks.com 7 Ranger and Mounted Unit horse at Farm Friday, Suson Park Park Rangers St. Louis County Park Rangers are responsible for safe to reopen, Park Rangers removed caution tape, public relations, protection and programming in barricades and obstacles to visitation. Park Rangers the parks. With six recreational facilities, six historic maintained order and adherence to mitigation and cultural sites and over 70 park destinations, our guidelines in place to slow the spread of the virus. Park Rangers have a big job. Along with keeping our visitors, waterways and trails safe, the Park Managed Deer Hunts Rangers also create and implement a wide variety of The St. Louis County Parks first managed deer hunt educational programs. ran from November 7 to November 30, 2020. The hunts took place in Jefferson Barracks, Greensfelder, In 2020, the Ranger Division played a significant role Queeny and Creve Coeur Parks. A Park Ranger was in two major Parks Department events: the managed assigned a twelve-hour shift in each of the managed deer hunts and Winter Wonderland. In addition, Park hunt parks, on duty every day of the hunt. Jefferson Rangers also played a significant role in shutting Barracks, Greensfelder and Creve Coeur Parks had a down and re-opening the County Parks in the wake of total of 276 Ranger hours worked in each park. There the COVID-19 pandemic. were three days where Queeny Park was not open to hunters; their total Park Ranger manpower hours were COVID-19 Response 240. Total hours of manpower for Rangers working Park Rangers cordoned off playgrounds, basketball the managed hunts was 1,068 work hours. courts, tennis courts, and sections of parking lots in accordance to orders meant to stop the spread of Winter Wonderland the virus, issued by County leadership. Park Rangers Park Rangers were vital to the Winter Wonderland functioned as the boots on the ground staff to event. Park Rangers staffed the event and maintained implement safeguards and keep the County Parks security and the flow of traffic leading to the event, safe. at the event, and leaving the event. 29,135 vehicles made their way through Winter Wonderland from The Park Rangers assisted the County Parks Program November 20, 2020 through January 2, 2021. staff and Operations staff with the training and Additional Park Ranger staffing was added to the implementation of Parks Ambassadors to remind the event to manage the traffic flow of the event. visiting public to abide by social distancing standards, capacity limits and trail directions during times of Park Rangers dedicated 1,670 work hours to perform highest visitation. the work needed to make Winter Wonderland a When County leadership determined the parks were
8 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks successful event, from the perspective of traffic flow and overall security. With six recreational Safety Statistics facilities, six historic and Warnings Issued...... 1,590 Citations...... 865 cultural sites and over Summons...... 6 70 park destinations, Ranger Reports...... 152 our Park Rangers have a Ranger Programs big job. Park Ranger programming showed a marked decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19. However, Park Rangers managed to safely present numerous programs to the public that followed safety guidelines set by the County Heath Department.
In 2020, our Rangers provided 141 educational programs that were attended by 11,727 people. In total, these programs brought in more than $10,000. Popular Ranger Programs include Creve Coeur After Hours, Geocaching, Scout Programs, Canoeing, Archery, Cliff Cave Capers, Lone Elk Special Access, Lone Elk Hayrides, Fish Camp and Lone Elk Trail Rides.
Clockwise from top: Ranger monitoring games, Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex; Ranger assisting public, The Pavlion at Lemay; Fox2Now interview with Ranger, Tilles Park;
stlcountyparks.com 9 Farm Friday, Suson Park Park Program Services We take great pride in being the regional park system Events & Programs for St. Louis County, and we are always striving to Program staff successfully held a variety of events and offer new and unique outings for individuals and programs that followed safety guidelines set by the families. The St. Louis County Parks programming staff County Health Department. Highlights include Farm work very hard to provide a variety of activities and Friday, art workshops at Laumeier Sculpture Park, events for the surrounding communities. history programs, summer camps and our first Disc Golf Tournament. In 2020, program staff took a regional and state-wide leadership role in the field of Parks & Recreation Program staff also pivoted to offer a number of virtual by presenting at many professional development programs to continue engaging with the community - conferences and workshops. Online Art Fair at Laumeier, Trashcan Trick Shots, Santa Hotline, history lectures and tours, pickleball lessons Even with limited personnel in the office due to and more. COVID-19, the Parks’ Call Center had a 92.9% answer rate in 2020, well above the industry standard of 80%. There were a total of 17,865 calls to the 4FUN phone line.
COVID-19 Response Program staff processed roughly 2,000 refunds due to COVID-19. This includes rentals, programs, events, etc. If a reservation included many sites or dates, it was counted as one refund.
Program staff, assisted by Rangers and Operations staff, trained and implemented Parks Ambassadors to remind park visitors to follow COVID-19 guidelines to enjoy our parks safety as they reopened from COVID-19 shutdown. Staff throughout the department filled more than 200 shifts for this Chuckwagon Dinner, Faust Park initiative.
10 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Winter Wonderland The 35th Annual Winter Wonderland opened in November 2020 at Tilles Park. Due to COVID-19 many Winter Wonderland opportunities were not available More than 170,000 or greatly restricted such as walk-thru nights, buses, people enjoyed large carriages and pictures with Santa. Even with these changes, more than 170,000 people enjoyed the the department’s department’s signature event -- an all-time record! signature event, Winter Family vehicle traffic was also up more than 40%, from 21,000 in 2019 to 29,000+ this year. Wonderland!
people173,530 enjoyed Winter Wonderland by car or carriage
people149,750 drove through Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park in 2020
23,780 people were able to see the Winter Wonderland display while on a horse-drawn carriage
separate845 light displays designed, built and maintained by Parks staff
25 St. Louis County Parks employees designed and setup Winter Wonderland
120,198 Unique Visitors to the Winter Wonderland website: wwlstl.com Top: Winter Wonderland drive thru, Tilles Park Bottom: Winter Wonderland display, Tilles Park
stlcountyparks.com 11 North County Recreation Complex Aquatic Center Recreation Centers Our six recreation and community centers are a Recreation Center Attendance vital part of St. Louis County Parks. They provide our residents with programs, activities and amenities that Our six Community Centers engaged and served promote an active lifestyle for both the mind and the more than 310,000 St. Louisans in 2020. body. Due to the positive impact these facilities have Gym/Arena & Leasing Agencies...... 92,356 on the community, our staff works diligently to ensure Programs & Events...... 48,459 that we are constantly providing new and great Ice Rinks...... 45,068 programming to help keep our residents active and General Attendance...... 42,417 healthy. Fitness Room Attendance...... 38,278 Meeting Room Rentals...... 24,035 COVID-19 Response Pools & Aquatic Centers...... 20,216 Due to COVID-19, recreation complexes were Total...... 310,729 closed from March 17 to June 15. While closed, 6% many complexes offered virtual programs to stay connected to residents. During this time, North County Recreation Complex was a quarantine site for 8% 30% Veterans and unhoused individuals for two months. When complexes reopened, staff adapted quickly to COVID-19 guidelines to keep patrons safe. Staff increased sanitization of facilities, installed plexi-glass 12% barriers and created temperature check stations. 310,729 total aTTENDANCE
14%
16%
Pickleball players, The Pavilion at Lemay 14%
12 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Laumeier Sculpture Park Historic and cultural sites
Laumeier Sculpture Park Faust Park Laumeier Sculpture Park served as a respite and In 2020, Faust Park successfully navigated the place for the community to destress during a difficult challenges of COVID-19, completing many restoration year. Like every other cultural organization, Laumeier projects and holding numerous events and programs. altered normal programming in order to maximize safety. This included pivoting to a virtual version of Prior to March, 167 students participated in the Annual Art Fair and strengthening other online educational programing at the Thornhill Historic Site offerings as tools for independent exploration of the where they experienced life as a pioneer. Adults also sculpture collection and natural elements at the park. attended a lecture series to learn about the history of baking cake. In 2020, Laumeier proudly presented the indoor and outdoor exhibition Mark Dion: Follies. Mark After the reopening in June, the site bloomed to life Dion has fashioned a world-wide reputation as an with gatherings of locals for socially-distanced picnics; innovative sculptor and installation artist whose the large open spaces allowed people to gather while points of departure include the intersections of the staying safely apart. Programming also restarted in historical and the contemporary, as well as the man- June with the modification of open houses presented made and natural worlds. Odili Donald Odita: From in both the Thornhill Historic Site and Faust Historic Periphery to Center was a project in collaboration Village. In August, Faust Park partnered with Historic with Jeske Sculpture Park in Ferguson, MO in which St. Louis to present “Landscapes of Summertime Past”. the artist designed a set of flags unique to each site which served as commentary on the similarities and Over the summer, major restoration work began in differences in the two suburbs on opposite sides of St. both the Thornhill Historic Site and Faust Historic Louis County. Laumeier also presented Van McElwee: Village. At the Thornhill Historic Site, much of the Time Fork, an augmented reality app which allowed house was re-painted and the windows were rebuilt. visitors to explore a Laumeier Sculpture Park which At the Bates family cemetery, a re-fencing project developed on a different trajectory than the current started with the maintenance crew trimming the trees reality. over the cemetery. The 1820 barn also received new barn doors. In the Historic Village, the Hoch house Individuals of all ages were also able to find a hands- had sections of its northern exterior brick wall stripped on creative outlet though Laumeier’s summer Art of paint to replace mortar. The gables and front and Camps, clay classes, Family Workshops, and adults- back porches were painted, the porch floors stained, only Night Out programs. and the parlor room ceiling repaired. Rebuilding
stlcountyparks.com 13 of many of the Mertz house windows began, and the windows and trim of the Alt schoolhouse were stripped and repainted.
In September, the staff held the annual Chuckwagon Dinner and the annual Folklife Festival. Both events followed COVID-19 guidelines. At the festival, instead of helping the public try their hand at historic crafts and chores, staff spent the weekend demonstrating those historic chores, including everything from rail splitting to candle dipping. Even with the changes, the festival had its highest turn-out in several years.
Faust Park held three Halloween events in October New room for museum guides in The Old Ordnance Room Museum, - Halloween, An Evening in the Cemetery and the Jefferson Barracks Park highlight - the Jack O’ Lantern Trail and Trunk or Treat. All events followed safety guidelines and guests Jefferson Barracks Park enjoyed the festivities. In 2020, many programs and events had to be canceled due to COVID-19 such as the popular Through the changes 2020 brought, Faust had a WWII Weekend and history lectures. However, staff successful year. Now, staff is gearing up to celebrate did not remain idle. The Jefferson Barracks History the bicentennial of the State of Missouri in 2021. staff painted the staircases on the Visitor Center and completed many tasks related to the core collection of artifacts which chronicles the history of the men and women who served here and in the military from 1826 until the present day. Essential to this process was the new Assistant Curator Kelly Plunkett who joined the team in August. The Powder Magazine Museum, built in 1857, received a new HVAC system, replacing the units installed in 1960. This change provided new space for exhibits. We also created a room for our valued and trusted museum guides so we could open the museum to visitors in a safe and responsible manner. It features an air filtration system, refrigerator and sink, as well as, an antique desk. Both the Old Ordnance Room Museum and the Powder Magazine Museum remained open throughout most of the year due to these innovative improvements.
Jefferson Barracks staff created a historic video series including tours of museum exhibits to lectures on aspects of history to using military history as a hobby for personal enjoyment. When COVID-19 guidelines allowed for the return of programs, Jefferson Barracks hosted the Historic Hayride Tours in September and the ever popular Ghost Stories in October. In addition, the Jefferson Barracks Visitor Center served as a site for census takers for the 2020 Census.
Bissell House In 2020, programs were not held at the Historic General Daniel Bissell House. Tours were provided to visitors who had made reservations in advance. By wearing masks and ensuring social distancing of at Thornhill Historic Site restoration, Faust Park least six feet from staff and visitors, the tours were
14 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks safe for everyone and provided a unique experience for all involved. Fort Belle Fontaine
Closet repairs were completed in the past year as well provided a much needed as necessary plumbing and electrical repairs made sanctuary for people to by the Park Department’s plumbing and electrical department staff. A major impact on site safety was hike and experience the the removal of the dilapidated brick sidewalks and its replacement of stamped concrete bricks to simulate great outdoors safely. a brick walk. The original brick walkway was set in place by the Park Department in the 1960s after we acquired the property. After its 60 years of service, it was in need of repair.
The original walkways the Bissell’s enjoyed were macadamized walkways of crushed gravel and cinder. When the bricks were removed by our grading crew, remnants of the path were documented by staff. However, installing a historically accurate McAdam walkway, first developed by Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam in the early 1800s, would bring with it the 1800s problem of grit being tracked into the house on the shoes of visitors, also, our 21st century lawnmowers and weed whips may occasionally kick up a rock that could cause injury or break glass. It was decided to install a concrete sidewalk of stamped, dyed red, to match what was installed in the 1960s. This provides an attractive alternative and addresses current ADA standards for building access. The use of bricks for pavement surfaces in the United States began in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. A hazardous tree was removed from the southeast corner of the building as well.
Fort Belle Fontaine The 2020 Eagle Watch, sponsored by the Friends of Fort Belle Fontaine, had its traditional gathering on site which annually falls on the weekend after Martin Luther King Day. The Eagle Watch features hot chocolate, s’mores and eagles flying majestically above the participants as our visitors gather at the Grand Staircase. The World Bird Sanctuary has been a vital programmatic element of the event as they bring a live eagle to be viewed by everyone up close under the cover of a tent. The highlight of the day for some is the ever popular group hike led by Pat and Patrice, volunteers from Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area.
Even with the Covid-19 safety measures, Fort Belle Fontaine provided a much needed sanctuary for people to hike and experience the great outdoors safely. Though attendance numbers were down when the park was closed, many new visitors sought comfort here to gain exercise and enjoy nature by Top: Walkway improvements, Bissell House hiking the looped trail. Bottom: Eagle Watch and Trail Walk event, Fort Belle Fontaine Park
stlcountyparks.com 15 Volunteers from Refinitiv Financial Solutions Park volunteers St. Louis County is extremely grateful to the many who volunteered to beautify our parks! group and individual volunteers who help us enhance and maintain our County parks for residents and We appreciate continued support from many visitors alike! educational groups including but not limited to Brentwood High School, Gateway Science Academy, Hancock High School, Lutheran North In 2020, volunteers donated 51,828 High School, St. Louis Community College at volunteer hours with a total value Meramec, Priory High School, and St. Louis University. wage of $1,409,721.60.*
*Based on an hourly rate of $27.20 per hour we obtain A special thank you to the United States Naval annually from the The Independent Sector. Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees, for collaborating with park staff on repairing a horse structure and erecting an 800 foot fence pasture at Queeny Park for the horses that are part of our Park Special Thanks to Our Partners Rangers Mounted Unit. St. Louis County Parks has a strong, ongoing partnership with Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC) Thank you to the and the volunteers who take a leadership role in designing, Missouri Botanical Garden building and maintaining our trails; GORC leads all our University of Missouri Extension St. Louis Master that helps us recruit experienced Trail Crew volunteer projects for us! Gardeners Program gardening volunteers. We have long-standing group projects with Thank you to Boy Scout Troops 271 (North County), Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri Stream Team, 752 and 585 (South County) and 492 (West County) Open Space Council of St. Louis, and St. Louis for assisting with honeysuckle removal and replacing Audubon Society that proactively coordinate park wood slats for Sylvan Springs Ordnance Shelter. clean-up events, honeysuckle removal and other environmentally-focused volunteer efforts in our We are appreciative of the efforts of our dedicated parks. Parks Friends groups that continue to keep the legacy of the museums and cultural sites running Thanks to Bayer, Edward Jones, Graybar, Refinitiv smoothly by supplying volunteers and support to Financial Solutions, and Painters & Allied Trades events and museum staffing. District Council 58 along with other corporations
16 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks New Family Trail pod, Creve Coeur Park completed projects The Design and Development Group (DDG) is the Parks Queeny Park professional design and project management staff. DDG • Complete the installation of a new restroom at is assigned delivery of capital improvements, facility Spanish Lake Park by the O’Mara shelter and park site upgrades, renovations, and supporting the • Begin replacement of restroom at Spanish Lake Parks staff annual work program. DDG Projects include Park by the Manny-Broadway shelter those funded by appropriate funds as well as projects • Replace playground surface at St. Vincent Park financed by partners. This group performs land use • Install new entrance marquee at Veterans agreement support, permanent easement review and Memorial Park administration for work in Parks. Other support services were contracted out to make these achievements possible in 2020. Parks Partnerships in 2020 Trail development projects were achieved through coordination with our regional Trail Development Selected Projects Completed in 2020 Partner, Great Rivers Greenways (GRG), using funds • Install three new Family Trail pods at Creve Coeur from GRG revenue collected in St. Louis County for Park trail projects in St. Louis County. The following Trail • Install new Field Lighting on Fields #12 and #13 at development projects moved forward with DDG the Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex staff performing as Owner’s Representative with • Begin demolition on the former Lakeside facility at agreements, design, and construction funding by Creve Coeur Park GRG: • Construct a new 21 acre wetland area at Creve Coeur • St. Vincent Greenway, a trail connection between Park St. Charles Rock Road and the existing trail in • Replace the HVAC at the Jefferson Barracks Powder St. Vincent Park design was completed and Magazine Museum coordinated with that MoDOT and MSD projects • Pave the expanded Parking lot at the Pavillion at that will occur in the same vicinity. Lemay in Jefferson Barracks Park • Gravois Greenway Phase II & III; the Grants Trail • Connect the existing restroom at Ohlendorf Park to Extension project was completed public sewer • Continued design of the Trail Signage in Creve • Complete design documents to renovate the Coeur Park for the Fee Fee Greenway to Katy Trail Greensfelder Recreation Complex at Queeny Park. and Grants Trail. • Paint the trim and back porch at Queeny Park Jarville • Begin design to replace and repair several Grants House Trail bridges • Replace Septic Systems at Greensfelder Park and
stlcountyparks.com 17 Entrance renovation, Lone Elk Park Park Operations Park Operations Crews oversee the care and Grading maintenance of all St. Louis County parks and facilities. Completed 125 work orders, which involved 580 loads Operations is made up of professionals in forestry, of various items, dirt, debris, mulch, salt, asphalt and horticulture, grading, carpentry, plumbing, welding concrete debris totaling 10,440 tons. In addition, and more. In addition to assisting the Design and crews hauled 3,045 tons of rock. Total tonnage of all Development Group with projects, Operations also material types hauled was 13,485.60. assisted other agencies such as the Department of Public Health, Transportation, Police and Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Asphalt Completed 96 work orders and 1,073.49 tons of asphalt were laid. Crews resurfaced three game courts Carpentry and crack sealed at two parks. Completed 61 work orders and projects. The work included pouring 185 yards of concrete at various sites. Carpentry also worked to complete major Design Forestry and Development Group projects such as the Lone Elk Completed 204 work orders. Trimmed 159 trees, Entrance/Exit Gate renovation, Family Trail pods at Creve removed 842, planted 537 and removed 411 stumps. Coeur and Jefferson Barracks and the North County Recreation Complex electronic entrance sign installation. Electrical Completed 68 work orders. Two major projects crews Plumbing completed were the Spanish Lake ball field lighting Completed 103 work orders and projects, tested 71 and Winter Wonderland upgrades. backflow devices and pulled and completed three permits. Operations crews assisted the Design and Welding Development Group with major projects Completed 55 work orders and projects. such as the Little Creve Coeur Wetland Mitigation Project, Lone Elk Entrance/Exit Sign Shop Gate renovation, installing Family Trail pods, Completed 202 work orders and projects encompassing Laumeier trail repairs, new walks around 1,575 signs and decals. Bissell House and more.
18 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Operations and Maintenance 2020 totals
restrooms cleaned miles of asphalt 16,170 and sanitized 10,888 trails maintained fifty-five gallon acres of grass drums of trash 45,284 mowed 44,000 removed
shelters total work orders 6,840 prepared for use 914 completed
Playground Inspections Playgrounds 1,360 completed 1,320 sanitized
New Full Scale Elk Replica Welcomes Visitors to St. Louis County Park
On October 8, a dedication ceremony was held for the new entrance and exit structures at Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, County Council Member Mark Harder (District 7), St. Louis County Parks Director Tom Ott and St. Louis County Parks Foundation President Mark Ohlendorf each made remarks and helped cut the ribbon at the entrance.
Beginning in the fall of 2019, work began on the new entrance to the park. Visitors to Lone Elk Park are now welcomed by a full scale two-dimensional steel elk at the entrance to the park and a steel bison at the exit. The new drive-through structures also feature rough-hewn oak timber columns with River Stone cladding, overhead wood beams, new signage and new security gates.
All of the wood used for the new structures comes from white oak trees previously identified for removal from other St. Louis County parks. The timbers were milled at Queeny Park and then assembled at the Lone Elk Park site by St. Louis County Parks staff.
Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area that is part of the St. Louis County Parks system. This park welcomes over 250,000 visitors each year and offers guests the unique opportunity to see bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer.
Funding for the project came from the St. Louis County Top from left to right: St. Louis County Parks Foundation President Mark Parks Foundation and the St. Louis County Parks Ohlendorf, County Council Member Mark Harder (District 7), St. Louis Department. County Executive Sam Page, St. Louis County Parks Director Tom Ott at the ribbon cutting for new full scale elk replica, Lone Elk Park. Bottom: New exit gate, Lone Elk Park
stlcountyparks.com 19 Controlled burn, Queeny Park natural resources The Natural Resources/Environmental Division Winter Park within the Department of Parks and Recreation is • Planted 60 native bottomland trees obtained from responsible for preserving the County’s extraordinary Forest Re-Leaf. biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural • Assisted Park Staff with some non-lethal beaver resources and creating opportunities for high-quality control to prevent flooding at the spring and outdoor recreation and nature study. Park staff are wetland. continually working to manage and maintain our beautiful prairies, woodlands, savannas and wetlands while battling invasive species such as honeysuckle Lower Meramec throughout the parks system. • Cut and installed 625 willow stakes along the Meramec riverbank to reduce erosion. Partnered with Open Space Council and Great Rivers Park Staff Greenway. • The Environmental Division has merged with Horticulture. Although they remain separate sections they are linked together. Creve Coeur • Continue on-going education through webinar • Staff working with the Missouri Prairie Foundation workshops that have included, plant identification, to develop a plan to re-construct 40 acres of the invasive species control, bio-diversity, BMP park to prairie and wetland. workshop and native plant management. • Continue working with Audubon Society of St. • Continue to develop and maintain natural Louis volunteers to maintain the 3 pollinator resource management plans that guide the on- gardens at Mallard Lake and to develop going resource projects. interpretive signs for each garden. Work also • Staff continued to attend meetings and work included removing honeysuckle in the upper area with other partners to develop a volunteer of the park. organization to assist some of the resource • Staff continued to manage the 8 acres of prairie management tasks. Partners include: the Missouri around Mallard Lake. Department of Conservation, the Open Space Council of St. Louis, Great Rivers Greenway, Little Creve Coeur Lake Area Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Re-Leaf, and • Finalized the construction of 9 acres of wetland Missouri Master Naturalist. including the planting of 450 native wetland trees and shrubs. • Staff continued the management of 120 acres of prairie/wetland.
20 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Staff is working with the Missouri Prairie Foundation to develop a plan to re-construct 40 acres of the park to prairie and wetland at Creve Coeur Park.
Queeny • Seeded 50 pounds of native woodland grass mix in open woodlands along the creek in the “Back to Nature” area. • Expanded the West Hill Prairie by 4 acres prepping the ground; completed a prescribed burn to remove thatch and seeding the site with native grasses and wildflowers. Total acreage of the West Hill Prairie is 8 acres.
St. Vincent • Staff continue to partner with the Great Rivers Greenway, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Open Space Council and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to re-construct prairie, savanna and woodlands at the park.
West Tyson • Environmental staff working with park staff and the Forestry Division continued a massive undertaking to remove invasive species and woody vegetation from 28 acres of prairie. Activities included prescribed burn, multiple chemical treatments and the use of a forestry bull hog to shred unwanted woody vegetation that had encroached the prairie.
Prescribed Burns • Staff working with the Forestry Division conducted prescribed burns at West Tyson, Queeny, Cliff Cave and Spanish Lake.
Invasive Species • Wacked, cut, mowed, pulled, and chemically treated, invasive species including but not limited to: oriental bittersweet, lespedeza, fescue, garlic mustard, beef steak plant, bush honeysuckle, winter creeper, honeysuckle vine, multi-flora Top: Prairie, Queeny Park rose, callery pear, thistle, porcelain berry vine, Middle: Controlled burn, West Tyson Park sweet clover, Johnson grass, and crown vetch Bottom: Path next to prairie, St. Vincent Park throughout the park system.
stlcountyparks.com 21 S t. Louis County Parks Foun dation
Since its establishment in 2015, the St. Louis County Parks Foundation has worked to support and promote the facilities, programs, capital improvements and resources of St. Louis County Parks.
The Foundation provided matching funds with the Parks Department to build new entrance and exit structures at Lone Elk Park. Work began in 2019 and the project was finished in early 2020. Visitors to Lone Elk Park are now welcomed by a full-scale two-dimensional steel elk. The entrance also features rough-hewn oak timber columns with River Stone cladding, overhead wood beams, new signage and new security gates.
On October 8, a dedication ceremony was held. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, County Council Member Mark Harder (District 7), St. Louis County Parks Director Tom Ott and St. Louis County Parks Foundation President Mark Ohlendorf each made remarks and helped cut the ribbon at the entrance.
Currently the St. Louis County Parks Foundation is developing a Strategic Plan which includes the total renovation of parks and structures in the County. In South County, the Foundation will take on the restoration of the historic Nims Mansion in Bee Tree Park. Work is needed to restore the outside of the mansion to its once beautiful grandeur and to determine if the inside of the Mansion can be used as an event space. In West County, the Foundation is LEGEND planning a complete renovation of the playground at A OUTDOOR CLASSROOM B SPLASH PAD C ADULT FITNESS AREA D WATERFALL Queeny Park. At one time the Queeny playground A E WATER PLAY was one of the best in the Midwest, but very little is F TREE HOUSE TOWERS B G ADVENTURE PLAY AREA H KING OF THE HILL CLUB HOUSE left of the original playground. The goal is to restore I PICK UP STICKS TIMBER CLIMBER C J SWINGS
K OPEN SPACE D it as a premier play destination. In North County, the K L PAVILION 40’ X 40’ M PLAY AREA FOR PAVILION E Foundation will help provide a complete makeover of L Kinloch Park to bring the park up to current standards. F H G
Kinloch Park will once again provide recreational I M space and be a place that residents can be proud of. J
Visit the Foundation website at www.stlcountyparksfoundation.org to see the project list, suggest a new project and learn how you can get involved in helping protect and preserve our St. Louis Top: St. Louis County Parks Foundation President Mark Ohlendorf at the Lone Elk Ribbon Cutting County Parks. Middle: New Lone Elk Park Entrance Bottom: Queeny Park playground plans
22 2020 Annual Report | St. Louis County Parks Restroom install, Mathilda-Welmering Park L ooking ahead In 2020, St. Louis County Parks continued to focus on • Design ADA trail connections, parking lot, and implementing improvements that were recommended new entrance monument at Spanish Lake Park from the St. Louis County Parks Master Plan. The • Design and install ADA parking spaces and access Master Plan was developed between 2016 and 2018 to the St. Vincent Park shelter and restroom. and provides direction for the Department. In 2021, • Replace playground surfacing at Suson Park the following Master-plan recommendations will • Develop construction documents to repave shape the projects that St. Louis County Parks will Veterans Memorial parking lot and entrance road. undertake: Greensfelder Recreation Complex • Replace the roof at Affton Community Center • Design and install ADA parking spaces and access Renovations to the Lower Shelter at Bee Tree Park The Department is planning a complete renovation • Relocate the HVAC at the Bissell House of the Greensfelder Recreation Complex. The plans • Design restroom replacements at Bohrer Park for the renovation include modernizing the exterior • Replace the restroom by Dripping Springs at façade of the building and adding a new drive Creve Coeur Park approach with a circle drive for drop off and pick up. • Replace playground surfacing at Creve Coeur Park There will be a building addition to accommodate • Replace the roof at the Bates Barn at Faust Park larger locker rooms, a new entry lobby, reception • Design and install walking trail by the Music desk, and offices. A patio that will be accessed from School in Faust Park the community room will be added. The entire facility • Design and implement repairs to the restroom a will receive new heating and cooling systems, new Lemay Park roofing, fresh paint, and new ceiling tiles and flooring. • Replace fitness equipment, safety surface, and add The fire suppression system, fire alarm, and electrical shade structures along the trail at Lemay Park systems will be brought up to meet current codes. The • Replace playground surfacing at Love Park refrigerant system in the ice rink will be replaced and • Replace playground surfacing at McDonnell Park the refrigerant piping in the floor will be repaired. In • Replace the restroom and splash-pad at Mathilda- addition to the larger locker rooms, the arena area will Wehlmering Park. receive new acoustic paneling, and depending on the • Construct the renovations to the Greensfelder bids received, possibly new boards and glass. Recreation Complex at Queeny Park • Repair trail and Meramec River bank where it eroded near Simpson Park
stlcountyparks.com 23 Saint Louis County Parks & Recreation Administrative Offices 41 S. Central Avenue, 7th Floor Clayton, Missouri 63105 (314) 615-4FUN | stlcountyparks.com