NEW CONNECTOR TRAIL PROVIDES SAFE, EASY ACCESS FROM THE RIVER DES PERES GREENWAY TO LOUGHBOROUGH COMMONS AND CARONDELET PARK

Residents of the region will soon have a safer, off-road trail that connects the River des Peres Greenway, the stores and restaurants of Loughborough Commons and surrounding neighborhoods to Carondelet Park. The new trail, known as the Carondelet Connector, will officially open June 7th with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Great Rivers Greenway District. The event will take place at 9 am in the park at Holly Hills and Grand, near the Carondelet Park YMCA Rec Complex.

The Carondelet Connector links the River des Peres Greenway trail at Germania and 1-55 to Carondelet Park. The one-mile segment provides access to Loughborough Commons and extends to the established trail system within Carondelet Park, joining near the intersection of Hilly Hills and Grand Drive.

“The Carondelet Connector trail offers area residents a safer, more accessible way to travel on foot or bike between the River des Peres Greenway, local neighborhoods, businesses and Carondelet Park,” said Susan Trautman, Executive Director of Great Rivers Greenway. “While the trail is only one mile in length, the benefits to the surrounding neighborhood are multiplied by linking together so many amenities. This new connection will improve the quality of life for River des Peres Greenway users and neighborhood residents alike.”

The River des Peres Greenway was first constructed in 2005, with additional phases being added in 2008 and 2013. The trail is currently 5.5 miles in length and extends from Lansdowne Avenue to Alabama Avenue. The greenway also links to a one-mile neighborhood connector, the Christy Greenway, which extends north from Germania to Holly Hills Blvd., where it meets up with the Bike St. Louis system.

Construction is slated to begin in early 2015 on another phase that will extend the River des Peres Greenway from Alabama Avenue to Lemay Park, and then further east to connect with the Mississippi River Greenway near River City Casino. Plans are also moving forward to connect the greenway to the popular Grant’s Trail on the Gravois Greenway. 

Future plans will extend the River des Peres Greenway north at Lansdowne Avenue to Forest Park—creating 12 miles of continuous connectivity from the Mississippi River to Forest Park.

At the celebration June 7, representatives from Great Rivers Greenway, project partners and local dignitaries will officially open the new connector trail. Nearby residents and YMCA, park or Loughborough Commons employees or visitors are welcome to attend the event.

To learn more about the River des Peres Greenway or the event on June 7, visit www.greatriversgreenway.org or call 314.436.7009.

About Great Rivers Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway was created by a vote of the people in 2000 with the goal of making the St. Louis region a better place to live. The public organization is carrying out the desires of the public by connecting an interconnected system of trails and greenways, designed to connect communities, provide transportation alternatives, preserve nature, improve health and increase the economic vitality of the region. Great Rivers Greenway includes St. Louis City and County and St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.greatriversgreenway.org.