Current Construction Projects
Kirkwood Park to Dee Koestering (Quarry) Park Bike Route
Work has been completed on elements of the new bike route connecting Kirkwood Park to the Meramec Highlands Quarry at Dee Koestering Park. The work was funded by Great Rivers Greenway District. The new route runs south on Geyer Road from the Community Center, west on Rose Hill Avenue, west on Craig Road, east and south on Old Big Bend and then south on Marshall Road to its' end at the Quarry Park entrance.
Along the way the route passes historic Quinette Cemetery. As part of the route's improvements, interpretive signs have been added at the cemetery, along with a bike rack.
At the Quarry, project elements include improvements to the park entrance, relocation and replacement of the entry gate, the addition of a water fountain at the entrance, and various regulatory and directional signs along the park road. A new monument sign has been added at the entrance to the park as well.
Walker Lake Construction
Walker Lake was drained in anticipation of construction on the lake starting the first week of October 2010. The first phase of work on the lake included replacement of the retaining walls at the head of the lake, along with the return of the pedestrian bridge connecting the community center and park to its original location. Other tasks included the addition of rock ledges and planting shelves along the lake edge reconfiguration of the existing island to a peninsula, and a water circulation and trash collection system to improve water quality. View the Construction details and Landscape details.
Construction of the hardscape elements was anticipated to last about three months. Landscaping work will be completed in the fall of 2011. Future plans for the lake include improvements to the perimeter walkway, naturalization of the concrete swale that feeds the lake, relocation of the handball courts and the addition of a small pavilion.
Project Update, 4/7/11 - Work on the lake is far enough along to allow the valve to be closed so the lake can start refilling. Depending on the amount of rainfall received, the lake will likely be back to normal pool by the end of April. Meanwhile, site restoration work is continuing and should be completed in about two weeks. In May the contractor will be back to install the aquatic plants that are a part of the project.
Project Update, 5/2/11 - Following the late April rain, the lake has indeed been refilled and the water circulation features are up and running. The contractor still anticipates installing the aquatic vegetation in May.
Next Up - Phase 3 of the Walker Lake rehabilitation is expected to begin in September, 2012. Elements of this plan include the replacement of the Walker Lake path with an ADA accessible version, removal of the outdoor handball courts and creation of several bio-retention cells.
For those interested in fishing, the lake has re-opened for fishing beginning the first of November 2011, when the Department of Conversation (DOC) conducted their annual trout stocking program. Fishing for other species will be limited for an extended period of time, allowing the fingerlings the DOC stocks to mature properly.
Kirkwood Park Tennis Court Construction
Construction began in October 2010 on the replacement of eight of the tennis courts in Kirkwood Park. The existing bank of eight asphalt courts located at the northeast corner of Kirkwood Park were replaced with post tensioned concrete courts. The perimeter fence was also replaced. The new courts are expected to last long into the future.
About 90% of the cost for the new courts were paid for by a grant from the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County and a donation from the Kirkwood School District.
Next Up - In the fall of 2012 or the spring of 2012the existing tennis building is scheduled for demolition and will be replaced by a new building. Court 9 will be reconfigured to include an outdoor handball court, hitting wall, and a basketball half court. Court 10 is also scheduled to be resurfaced as part of the project.