The City of Eureka has negotiated a land donation agreement with Ruprecht Building Materials Company that will result in the City receiving a donation of more than 201 acres of real estate. This is the largest land donation in the history of the City of Eureka.

The property will be restricted to use as a park. While the City has just started the process of assessing the best uses for this land, it will be a park that consists of nature trails, bike trails, lake activities (three lakes are on the site), other natural recreation activities, and potential access to the Meramec River.

Mayor Sean Flower shared, “The City acquired 10 acres adjoining this property two years ago, and we believe this may be a great area for fields and more organized sports activities in the future. We anticipate that kids may be able to participate in organized sports activities on the existing 10 acres, while at the same time their parents are able to walk or ride nature trails along the Meramec River and near lakes on the neighboring 201 acres. This would be somewhat similar to the uses at Creve Coeur Park, although in a much more natural setting.”

This new park also borders Route 66 State Park, and the City hopes to work with the State of Missouri to connect these two parks. There is huge potential for this property and the surrounding area.

In addition to its park use, this donation also meets many of the City’s regional goals for conservation and flood mitigation. All of this property is located in the floodplain, and a large amount of it is located in the floodway. Several parties have looked at this property over the years as a potential development site. Through this donation, 201 acres of floodplain property will be permanently preserved in its current state and will never be developed. This is a wise and proper use of property that borders the Meramec River, and will greatly help the City’s efforts to mitigate storm and river flooding.

While the City of Eureka is very excited about this property, it is not ready to be open to the public, and they ask that no one attempts to access the property. Currently there is no safe way to enter the property and the City cannot provide emergency services efficiently to the area. In addition, the City needs time to conduct a review of the property and make sure all public safety issues are addressed.

The land was donated by Ruprecht Building Materials Company, which is owned by Nathan McKean. McKean is also the owner of Breckenridge Materials, a large concrete company with a location in Eureka.