Thanks to a 3.15-mile extension of the Missouri Greenway, completed last year, people can now enjoy almost five miles of paved greenway that loops through Bridgeton’s Riverwoods Park and parallels the Earth City Levee to Highway 370. Great Rivers Greenway will celebrate this expanded greenway at Good Morning Greenway, a ribbon-cutting and fitness walk from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27.

The festivities will be held at the Trailhead in Riverwoods Park in Bridgeton, located on St. Charles Rock Road, approximately one-half mile past the intersection at Earth City Expressway. Area residents are invited to explore this new segment of the Missouri Greenway as they learn more about the history of the area, wetlands along the river, local plant and animal life, as well as the many health benefits of exercising in nature.

The new Missouri Greenway extension adds 1.5 miles to the existing 1.5-mile paved greenway in Riverwoods Park, creating a 3-mile loop through the wooded park along the Missouri River. It also extends an additional 1.65 miles next to the Earth City Levee to a trailhead at Highway 370, for a total of almost five miles.

“After two significant flood events last year, this expanded outdoor space is ready to welcome people of all ages and abilities to experience nature, the river and the abundant wildlife found in the wetland forest. People can also take advantage of the sunshine and wide-open vistas on the paved greenway along the Earth City Levee,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway.

The event will begin with remarks from dignitaries and partners at 9:30 a.m., with the fitness walk beginning at 10 a.m. Attendees are invited to take a walk or ride their bikes; signs will highlight some of the features along the greenway, as well as the benefits of exercising outside. Great Rivers Greenway will also be on hand to distribute complementary water bottles, maps and other information about area greenways and programs. There is no cost to participate, and all ages are welcome.

For more information about the Missouri Greenway or the ribbon-cutting event, visit GreatRiversGreenway.org.