Chain of Rocks Park Is Open Again, and It’s Spectacular

Attention to all cyclists, runners, walkers, and people who enjoy being on historic bridges: Chain of Rocks Park is now open.

The multimillion-dollar project is complete after about a year of renovations. This means visitors can now drive to Chain of Rocks Park in north St. Louis, pass through the formidable entrance, park in the new parking lot, and position themselves at the start of Old Chain of Rocks Bridge seconds later.

Alternatively, they can bike, run, or walk to the park entrance via the Riverfront Trail, which connects to downtown St. Louis about 12 miles away.

Area residents joined Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) and its project partners to ring in the new 16-acre public park on Sunday, April 14. The celebratory event had everything from a nine-piece jazz band and multiple food trucks to an outdoor yoga class, a hand-carved wooden canoe, and a guy with a parrot.

Chain of Rocks Park is located at 10840 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137. It 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. It’s situated on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi Greenway, also known as the Riverfront Trail.

The one-mile Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which features a trademark 22-degree bend and was once part of the famed Route 66 highway, now allows only pedestrians, cyclists, and their pets. The bridge spans the Mississippi River, connecting St. Louis to Chouteau Island, which is part of Madison, Illinois.

The newly opened park’s 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 the site and gated entrance with staff on-site during peak visiting hours.
– Lighting in the 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.

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset. There are several upcoming 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. For more information, visit GreatRiverGreeway.org/events.

Check out the photos below to soak up some of the atmosphere from the festivities – and also gain a better sense of the scope of the park project.

Bottom line: This is a big deal for the area and an exciting new entry on your list of fun outdoor things to do in St. Louis, especially when out-of-town relatives are visiting.

Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain Magazine.
Top Image: the entrance to Chain of Rocks Park. (Great Rivers Greenway)