Getting Into Nature

You don’t have to live on the banks of the so-called “River Despair” to take an interest in the fate of the Father of Waters, the River des Peres.

When French priests settled on its banks in 1700, they found it to be a gentle, natural stream with diverse flora and fauna.Today, residents using I-44 to cross from Shrewsbury to St. Louis over this waterway pay little attention to it, unless it’s brewing up a stench. So, what happened?

Can the River des Peres ever be restored to a semblance of its former glory? Those are the kinds of questions being asked by members of the River des Peres Watershed Coalition. And they are doing something to address those questions.

Many communities across America have revitalized their urban streams. Does St. Louis have the will and energy to do it for the River des Peres? What do you think?

PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS.

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1.    It’s a toxic eyesore.

2.    In stormy weather, it becomes an open sewer.

3.    It is used too often as a liquid trash dump.

4.    It raises a stink to shame the nostrils.

5.    It’s a safety hazard for children who play by the water.

6.    It could serve as a model for hydrology education.

7.    It could be a model recreation destination.

8.    It could be an urban haven for flora and fauna.

9.    It could be the region’s environmental miracle.

10.  It could be a source of pride for St. Louis.

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The River des Peres Trail travels just about four miles through River des Peres Park on the western edge of the city limits, and along the River des Peres Drainage Channel. This is an older trail, and has sometimes not been well maintained, though it is described as great for mountain bikes. Road bikers may prefer to ride River des Peres Parkway.

Built in the early 1980s, despite protests from neighboring landowners, the trail formerly ended in a circle of asphalt about 50 yards from a park parking lot. Recent improvements include a pedestrian bridge crossing the River des Peres and a small creek. Additional improvements include a link to the Holly Hills and Christy Greenways. There is much hubbub about the future of the trail and the greenway project even has a Wikipedia entry online. Google and you shall find…

FOCUS: River des Peres Greenway Site

TELL US YOUR RIVER DES PERES STORY. AND WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MOST SCENIC VANTAGE POINT IS ALONG THE RIVER DES PERES GREENWAY?

PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS

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