Community feedback themes so far...
Places to move and connect
Safe, Comfortable, and Well-lit
Stewards and teaches about nature
Serves all people, regardless of age, ability, or language
Balances community space with space to chill
Move and connect
Safety and comfort
Nature stewardship
Serves all people
Active and chill
About the park
Welcome to
Home to well-loved baseball fields and basketball courts, Saint Louis Park and the nearby riverfront face environmental challenges such as extreme heat, poor air quality, and flooding. The new design of the park will integrate strategies to mitigate these hazards while also improving riverfront experiences and investing in vibrant gathering spaces in this corner of Centralville.
Project & engagement
Your Feedback Is Shaping The Park’s Future!
Engagement events
COOKOUT
Youth Focus Group
Lowell Residents want a Park that...
Offers plentiful places to move and connect
POP-UPS
Serves all people
Is safe, comfortable, and cared for
Focus Groups
Balances vital community spaces with moments of chill
Block Party
Stewards and teaches about nature
Community Liaisons
Take the survey
Join us down by the River
Rio
Floating Fishing Pier
A quiet moment at the Beaver Brook confluence to connect with the river up close.
Boardwalk
An elevated walk over the water.
Riparian Walk
Meandering trails connecting riverfront and destinations for gathering
Overlook and Pavilion
A shady pavilion for small gatherings and picnics overlooking the Merrimack
Amphitheater
A space for large gatherings, performances, and cookouts at the River's edge Fireworks Beach
The amphitheater surrounds and elevated beach, perfect for watching 4th of July fireworks across the river.
Hardwood Uplands Walk
A quiet moment at the Beaver Brook confluence to connect with the river up close.
Centralville River Path
Trails connect to the existing riverfront path, an active promenade for strolling and biking.
Nature Play
A cascading nature and adventure-themed playground unfolding to the riverfront.
Join us over in the
Park
Wet Meadow Basin
Planted with a vibrant mix of herbaceous perennials, grasses, and woody shrubs that love stormwater and attract pollinators.
Social Space
Shaded areas for chilling, gathering, and watching sports.
Oak-Pine Highlands
Shaded walks, sports, and natural lawns.
Some shrubs and understory trees to define circulation and social spaces.
Rain Gardens
Planted basins that collect, filter, and celebrate the site’s stormwater.
Lakeview Square
A portion of 6th Ave. reconfigured to prioritize pedestrians and flexible gatherings.
Outdoor Classroom and Gardens
Micro-woodlands frame intimate clearings for climate classrooms and specimen
plantings.
Travel with us through the
Gateway
Early ideas for gateways
Wayfinding Signage
Signage makes it easy to find your way into and through the Park.
Neighborhood Connections
Robust path network connects main entries and neighborhood sidewalks.
Entry Plaza
Outdoor rooms that are comfortable, visible, and pedestrian-friendly to draw visitors in at key entries.
Potential (Under-Bridge) Connections Along
Beaver Brook (Future Phase)
A winding River Boardwalk unites the riverfront and uplands with a safe connection under the highway.
Accessible Walkways
Abundant accessible pathways gracefully negotiate slopes down to the river.
Safe Crossing
Traffic calming, greening, and markings enhance safety for pedestrians crossing the Highway at Aiken St.
Learn with us at the
Early ideas for the classroom
Classroom
Demonstration Planters
Plants become a sensory learning experience to explore through touch and smell.
Tactile Stone Seating
Rough cut stone benches invite exploration through touch.
Domed Canopies
Recycled panels framed by arching timber beams create a visual and tactile delight.
Exploratory Paths
Meandering paths through clearings heighten a sense of exploration and discovery.
Tree Frames
Framed views of specimen trees facilitate learning about climate impacts on tree species.
Reclaimed Materials
Reclaimed wood and stone demonstrate
sustainable life cycles for materials.
What do you think?
What are you most excited about?
What are you concerned about?
What questions do you have?
When I am in the Park I can…
See
Hear
Touch
Smell/Taste (e.g. a piragua on a hot summer day)
Do
I belong because....
Disclaimer
These drawings show the full range of potential park features being considered for St. Louis and Riverview Parks. Because this is a multi-phase project, not everything will be built at once. Features will be prioritized for each phase based on timelines, funding availability, and feedback from the community.
Place a pin
Where would you love to spend time learning at Saint Louis Sponge Park?
at
Learning
Connecting
Playing
Wet Meadow Basin
Social Space
Basketball Courts
Baseball field
Oak-Pine Highlands
Rain Gardens
Baseball Field
Splash pad (in construction)
Playground (in construction)
Outdoor Classroom and Gardens
Wet Meadow Walk
Boardwalk
Riparian Walk
Overlook and Pavilion
Amphitheater
Fireworks Beach
Hardwood Uplands Walk
Nature Play
Centralville River Path
Nature Play
Floating fishing pier
Driftwood islands
Island St. Parking Improvements
Bicycle facilities
Future phase
Concession Pavilion with restrooms
Potential (under-bridge) connections along Beaver Brook
Potential Parking
Tree Nursery
W 6th St Parking Improvements