In business, and in life, there are transactional relationships and transformative ones. And every now and then, the two overlap. Such was the case in November when three St. Louis-based organizations were awarded funding as part of the new Outdoors for All Micro-Grants.
The one-time grants went to outdoor recreation projects that will have a direct, dynamic effect on their community and were awarded by River City Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding outdoor-oriented activities and equitable outdoor initiatives in St. Louis and the Midwest.
“The goal with these grants is to help communities help themselves and create more welcoming and accessible outdoor spaces for all,” says Executive Director Matt Green. (Editor’s note: Terrain Magazine is published by River City Foundation.)
The grants were awarded following a three-month application period that resulted in 14 submissions. To be eligible, the applicant’s organizational or project income level had to be less than $300,000. Each application was evaluated based on need, feasibility, sustainability, and relationship to the River City Foundation mission.
The grants were presented during the 2024 Gateway Outdoor Summit and went to:
Organization: Chain of Rocks Community Association
Award: $1,500
Project: The creation of “picture windows” along the Mississippi River in North Riverfront Park will increase river views and make the river more accessible for fishermen, paddlers, and those using the Mississippi Greenway. The grant will go towards the purchase of tools, safety gear, and rental equipment, including an industrial wood chipper and a skid steer. Invasive and aggressive species such as honeysuckle, mulberry, and willow will be removed to achieve the picture windows, and wood chips will be used to form pathways to the river. Funds will also be used to purchase and plant native shrubs and flowers that do not grow tall enough to obstruct the view.
Organization: Missouri Whitewater Association (MWA)
Award: $2,000
Project: In partnership with the St. Louis Chapter of Team River Runner and the St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club, the MWA’s vision is to construct a paddle park along the Meramec River with “boulders, fast water, riffles, and maybe a small surf wave.” The river banks will be stabilized and access paths built, creating a place where the community can easily and safely get on the water for fishing, paddling, picnicking, and relaxing. Specifically, the grant will support research and fundraising in order to arrange a site visit by a company that specializes in designing in-stream paddle parks.
Organization: Friends of Carondelet Park
Award: $2,500
Project: Last year, with the help of volunteers from the community and the nonprofit group Gateway Off-Road Cyclists, the Friends of Carondelet Park developed the first and only mountain bike trail in the City of St. Louis, consisting of two loops totaling about one mile in length. The grant will fund directional and wayfinding signage along the trail as well as a kiosk with trail map, park map, historical and wildlife information, and rules and guidelines for safe use of the trail. The result will be a safer and more welcoming outdoor recreation environment for all, says the grant application.
Top Image: Carondelet Park Trail Build. (Route 3 Films)
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