Across STL Magazine - 2017 by Trailnet Inc

PREMIERE ISSUE MAY 2017 | VOL. 1

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ACROSS STL

3 From the Publishers

Around Town

4 Trailnetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bold New Vision

10 Thinking Forward

Points West

18 Front Porch to Backyard 22 Nourishing Neighborhoods 26 Sonoma, Tuscany and St. Louis

Missouri River Country 32 A Store with a Story 36 Over the River and Through the Woods 42 Exploring Missouri River Country 47 Ted Jones, Father of the Katy Trail

32 VOLUME 1

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Cover illustration by Sophie Binder

CONNECTIONS. IT’S WHAT ACROSS STL IS ALL ABOUT.

ACROSS STL and its partner organizations are investing in the connectivity of the bi-state region with a plan — one that creates a network of protected bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly paths. Thanks to their collective efforts, our business districts, cultural assets, sporting venues, and neighborhoods are coming together in a manner that sets apart world-class cities. We support these efforts and the dividends they will yield: • Economic development • A healthier, more active citizenry • An equitable mode of transportation, accessible to all Just as ACROSS STL is connecting our region, we at the St. Louis Community Foundation are bringing together charitable St. Louisans who want to support nonprofits that make a difference in our community, across the nation, and around the world. It’s our cultural and conservational assets that define our sense of place. St. Louis is our home. Let’s get — and stay — connected.

LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE. JOIN US. St. Louis Community Foundation is the leader in locally-managed donor advised funds, and other charitable fund vehicles. Eighty-five percent of the St. Louis Community Foundation donors’ grants remain right here in the St. Louis area. That amounted to more than $50 million in 2016. Moreover, donors benefit from our St. Louis-based community- and charitable-planning experts, who grasp the complex needs of our community and the nonprofits that meet them.

ACROSS STL

STLGIVES.ORG

314-588-8200

From the Publishers T he scale of this region is dizzying — 1.75 million people spread over 100 municipalities in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. It’s easy to carve out a separate life and feel cut off from the surrounding communities, clueless about their riches. At every level, the solution is connection. Collaborations, like this one between the organizations that created the magazine you’re reading, carry us across barriers toward a strong common goal. They move us forward. Physical connections, like trails and bike paths, do the same thing. Tight borders around our routines dissolve; the geopolitical boundaries vanish. Back in 1870, when the city and county split, no one could have predicted what challenges would result. We wound up with a patchwork of competing interests. The good news is, when a cyclist or hiker passes from one jurisdiction to another, they don’t know it! The land is what matters — its shapes and textures, the nature and hardscape that animate it. Cities lose their limits. Criss-crossing the St. Louis region on foot or bicycle is an experience unlike any car ride. We have so many colorful, storied places to visit, some tucked out of sight from the major roads but all within easy reach. The Katy Trail, a 287-mile ride through the Missouri countryside, is just minutes from the suburbs. Very few things are both common enough and extraordinary enough to truly define a region, and one of ours is cycling. This new publication, ACROSS STL, a joint effort of Trailnet and the Katy Land Trust, aims to improve the

way people who make this region their home — or visit for longer than a day — connect to our places. Trailnet and the Katy Land Trust have very different geographic interests but a single shared goal: to establish the St. Louis region as a premier place for cycling and walking. ACROSS STL tells a story of St. Louis as one place, connected by people who love where they live. The Gateway Arch is our front porch, a soaring arc that invites the world in. The lush Missouri River Valley from Hermann to St. Charles and the Confluence is our great big backyard. And the distance from porch to yard is a mere 65 miles. As our gorgeous cover by watercolorist Sophie Binder illustrates, this area encompasses some of the nation’s most revered cultural attractions and diverse neighborhoods. Its scenic river valley was the starting point for the journey that inspired the Arch. Individually, each of these segments is noteworthy. Connected, they are spectacular. In these pages, we’ll focus on the big picture, then swoop in close to show you the people and organizations who are making things happen by forging connections of all kinds. We’ll explore the reasons “our place” is worldclass, and lay out the many ways connecting its parts can transform our future. Over the decades, St. Louisans have accumulated a remarkable collection of cultural assets — the Arch, Zoo, Forest Park, Botanical Garden and the restaurants, sports teams and universities of the city. Now, we have an opportunity to connect that metropolitan nexus to the winding trails and wineries of our countryside. Let’s get the word out — loud and clear, speaking in one voice.

Ralph Pfremmer Chief Executive Officer, Trailnet

www.trailnet.org

Dan Burkhardt Founder, Katy Land Trust

For more information, visit www.acrossstl.com

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www.katylandtrust.org

PROSPERITY, HEALTH AND

SOCIAL EQUITY – TRAILNET’S BOLD NEW VISION

FOR ST. LOUIS By: Terri Waters

s St. Louis ready for a transformation? The folks at Trailnet think so. And they say there’s no time to waste. The local non-profit is a longtime advocate for bikeand pedestrian-friendly communities that foster healthy, active living. Now, the group has expanded its focus. Its “bold new vision” for St. Louis is to build a 12-mile network of on-street, protected bike and pedestrian paths that reach north-south and east-west from downtown. Trailnet says this connectivity will strengthen our urban core by spurring economic development, attracting and retaining talent, and improving social equity and health. This is a pretty tall order, but many Midwestern cities have already made their region a place where people can easily connect on foot or by bike to the cultural, entertainment, higher education and business places they want and need to go. Connectivity has tremendous

value in sparking economic growth in the areas along and near the paths (see “How Indy’s City Bike Paths Spurred Economic Growth” on page 8). “The benefits also extend far beyond the city limits — this will strengthen our entire region,” said Trailnet’s CEO, Ralph Pfremmer. “Connectivity is critical to St. Louis. It’s a way of life in many cities, and it’s what Millennials and many others want. It’s a lifestyle. We’re losing out to other Midwestern cities because we lack the infrastructure that allows people to get around easily without a car.” Pfremmer added that Trailnet’s peer organizations in other cities have been catalysts to spur change. “It’s not enough for Trailnet to be just about biking any more. That’s why we are transitioning into more of a civic organization advocating for connectivity,” he said. “The data supports what we are doing.”

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THE GREAT DIVIDE The City of St. Louis faces some tough issues: population decline, lack of access to transportation in many low-income areas, poor health indicators and budgetary woes. Many people in the suburbs may not feel St. Louis County or St. Charles County needs to be involved with or invested in what’s happening in the City. But Pfremmer disagrees. “You can’t be a suburb of nowhere. Without a strong urban core, the rest of the region suffers,” he said. “St. Louis is an ailing heart that’s not pumping enough blood. We need to change the narrative. We need to get everybody appreciating and loving this city.” The difficulty lies in the divisions that were set up long ago — beginning with the City-County split 140 years ago, and the gradual establishment since then of more than 90 municipalities in St. Louis County alone. The rapid population growth of St. Charles County in the last decade has also created a separation in geography and mindset among many people.

walking trails. It continues to invest in the infrastructure required to support a large bicycle community, and is now building protected bikeways around the city. The city ranks number one in the U.S. on a list of Bicycle Friendly Cities and was the first U.S. city on the Copenhagenize Index for being bike friendly. Memphis is adding protected and shared bike lanes on several streets in South Memphis, a low-income area that is often overlooked when it comes to amenities. A recent editorial in The Memphis Commercial Appeal showed support for the project: “Some folks have proffered that South Memphis needs more jobs and economic investment, not bike trails and paved walking paths. That is true, but those are the types of amenities that help draw possible investors to neighborhoods, especially homebuilders. Homeownership is an important component of neighborhood stabilization, which also can be a catalyst for business and retail growth. Besides, making sure these kinds of amenities are equally distributed around all neighborhoods is the right thing to do.”

"This project is about transforming our city." We compete against each other, and this has created division in our region, Pfremmer said. “We’re not unified in our approach. We don’t have a collective narrative or brand as a region,” he said. “The narrative should be that we band together as one community — St. Louis. “The St. Louis area has an incredible wealth of historical, cultural and natural assets. We need to understand what we have and who we are, so we can learn to love our region.” Trailnet’s Cindy Mense, director of programs, says the organization brings the perspective of being “one” through a strategy where we are visibly connected with trails. “We all need to be civic-minded,” she said. “Everyone should be rooting for the urban core.”

LOSING OUT TO OTHER CITIES? Trailnet’s new focus on active transportation and connectivity in the urban core is already mainstream in many other cities. Minneapolis long ago created a city bike infrastructure that today includes 51 miles of paved biking and

Even smaller cities like Chattanooga and Des Moines are investing in bicycle infrastructure. Chattanooga has the first bike share program in the South and was named a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community, with facilities built for easy commuting through downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. The Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System gives adult riders of all skill levels 24/7 access to 300 7-speed cruiser bicycles docked in 33 stations throughout the downtown area. Stations are convenient to restaurants, attractions and parks. Des Moines has over 60 miles of trails within the city limits, and many more are planned. The city is piloting a Complete Streets Project that involves removing a westbound traffic lane and adding protected bike lanes in both directions for several blocks in a busy section of downtown. The bike lanes will be painted green to help draw attention to them, and plastic poles will separate the bike lane from the car lanes. The growing number of people who want to ride their bike to work will be able to do so safely. Planners say traffic will be reduced to the point that drivers won’t miss the extra lane that is being forfeited.

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WHY BUILD PROTECTED BIKE LANES? WHAT ARE THEY? BIKING PARKING

Protected bike lanes put a barrier between drivers and bike riders. The barrier can be parked cars, plastic posts, or planters. They are popular in cities with high amounts of bike riders for everyday use.

89% fewer injuries among bike riders on streets with protected bike lanes.5 Bike- and pedestrian-friendly street design leads to fewer collisions, even when there are more people out!6

PLANNING THE STREETSCAPE

GOOD FOR BUSINESS

49 55% %

9th Ave. in New York City saw a 49% increase in business after protected bike lanes were installed.1 Nearby streets only saw a 3% increase

More bike traffic on Kinzie St. in Chicago after a protected bike lane was installed.2

A Portland study found bike riders will go out of their way to a street with good bike infrastructure. That’s more business exposure.2 Pedestrians and bike riders in Toronto spent the most money and visited stores more often. Maybe because it costs less to walk or bike?

GOOD FOR SAFETY

DRIVERS don’t have to worry about unexpected bike maneuvers. PEDESTRIANS don’t have to worry about bike riders on the sidewalks.

GOOD FOR LAWFULNESS In Chicago, protected bike lanes have resulted in a 161% increase in the number of bike riders obeying the stoplight.7

GOOD FOR EVERYONE

71% of Americans have expressed interest in riding a bike more often, but find it unsafe.8 Are you one of them?

Each bike on the road is one less car in traffic, resulting in less pollution, less wear on the road (and therefore less taxpayer-funded maintenance), and creates a healthier population. 1. NYC DOT, Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets 2. CD”OT, http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/bike/news/2011/sep/intial_findingskinziestreetprotectedbikelane.html 3. Jennifer Dill, Bicycling for Transportation and Health: The Role of Infrastructure, http://www. palgrave-journals.com/jphp/journal/v30/nS1/full/jphp200856a.html 4. The clean Air Partnership, 2009, Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A study of Bloar Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighborhood

GATHERING SUPPORT Trailnet has been building political will for the protected bike paths over the past year. They are meeting with politicians, developers, corporations, investors, business owners and more in order to build support for this endeavor. The first two years will involve planning with officials from the City and St. Louis County, as well as with residents and civic organizations. Construction of phase one — the 12-mile network — should be completed within five years. “This is a project for everyone, and we want to hear from everyone,” Mense said. “The process and the product itself will bridge racial and class divides. The benefits are widespread and are there for everyone, from cyclists to shop owners, to commuters, students, families and tourists. ” To get public input, Trailnet plans to hold public meetings as well as present at community meetings. “We want to make sure we’re not doing this in a silo — we need input from the community,” Mense said.

DRIVING

“We’re losing out on opportunities to other Midwest cities,” Pfremmer said. “The time to do it is now; we have got to be able to compete. We know developers who are ready to roll this out — they see the benefits.”

When considering the design of the protected bikeways, Trailnet planners have studied various options, including looking at industry best practices. The vision it is putting forth includes attractive red pavers and crosswalks with landscaping and public art to make it interesting and encourage conversations. The construction allows for stormwater management and includes lighting at night. “They’re not so much trails, as part of the streetscape,” said Mense. “Our goal is to connect strategically to cultural centers, higher education institutions, central business districts and popular venues,” said Pfremmer. “This is an urban trail system that will inspire, build and accommodate urban living.” continued on page 8 5. Kay Teschke, M. Anne Harris, et. al. Route Infrastructure and the Risk of Injuries to Bicyclists: A Case-Crossover Study. 6. http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/9/3/205.abstract 7. Chicago Tribune, City says Dearborn bike signals keeping cyclists in line. June 10, 2013. 8. NHTSA, Volume II: Findings Report National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior, 2008

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Connecting the dots

Creating links between the people, places and assets of a vibrant City.

The Central Corridor of St. Louis, the area from the Gateway Arch to Forest Park, is home to many of St. Louis’s most iconic assets. The largest universities, world-class research medical centers, prestigious cultural institutions, sports and tourist attractions, and many major employers, are all located in this five square mile area. This area is also the center of St. Louis’s nationally recognized innovation communities, including Cortex, T-REX, CIC, CET, Fashion Fund and many more. There are more than 300 startup businesses in this area with new initiatives and developments seemingly being announced every week. In the geographic center of this innovation community sits the former Federal Mogul complex. It is

Lawrence Group’s vision to convert this 14-acre, 100-year-old complex into City Foundry STL, a place that will celebrate the public face of innovation. At City Foundry STL, one can taste innovative food concepts, shop a curated selection of retailers, and work in a creative environment. Creativity, collaboration, innovation and food will converge in this 24/7 environment. Visitors will be able to choose from 20 unique chef-driven food stalls and up to four full-service restaurants & shop at some 45 retailers.

immediate trail access to Cortex and SLU. The Trail also has connections to Forest Park, Grand Center, Downtown St. Louis, and SSM/SLU Medical Center. City Foundry will be within a half mile of two separate MetroLink stops, both of which can be reached by the trail. Connectivity and car optional access is key to Lawrence Group’s vision of a progressive development. Construction work is expected to begin on this $340 million mixed-use development in the 4th quarter of 2017 with opening planned for early 2019.

In addition to the many diverse offerings at City Foundry STL, it will also be connected to our community in many ways. The Great Rivers Greenway Trail will connect into the center of the development, giving

WWW.CITYFOUNDRYSTL.COM

Retail Inquiries (314) 655-6046 || Office Inquiries (314) 727-9300 VOLUME 1

WHO PAYS FOR IT? Building a 12-mile urban trail is not inexpensive. Trailnet estimates the cost at $88.5 million, a figure that takes into account the possibility of running into costly structural issues under some of the old streets of St. Louis. It also includes a trail maintenance fund. The project will use existing street right-of-ways. That means property does not have to be acquired to complete the network. Trailnet envisions funding it through federal transportation grants as well as donations from the corporate and philanthropic communities. “Taxes aren’t necessarily the solution,” Pfremmer said. “Indianapolis built its Cultural Trail without tax money, and we can, too.” Pfremmer said the economic benefits that Indianapolis experienced can be replicated here. “There’s been a one-billion-dollar assessed property value increase within 500 feet of that trail in seven years — in an

eight-mile trail. If we only get to half that number, it will still be a success.”

WHAT’S NEXT People who want to get involved in making on-street, protected bikeways a reality in St. Louis can join Trailnet’s efforts by becoming a member, attending public meetings and writing to their local government officials. “Trailnet has political capital, meaning the City and County count on us for solutions. If you’re a member of Trailnet, you have a voice,” said Pfremmer. “We are a group of people who have influence, and we can get the message to the politicians. “This project is about transforming our city,” Pfremmer added. “St. Louis has been building streets for cars for the past 100 years. Now it’s time to improve the walking and biking experience — to make St. Louis safe and connected to the places people want to go.”

HOW INDY’S CITY BIKE PATHS SPURRED ECONOMIC GROWTH St. Louis is looking to Indianapolis as a model for how a biking infrastructure can improve a city’s economy. And for good reason. After an Indianapolis organization raised money to build an 8-mile protected bike and pedestrian path downtown, assessed property values along and within 500 feet of the trail increased by 148 percent, or $1 billion. This was over a seven-year period (2008-2014) in which property values in the rest of Marion County averaged only 8 percent growth. To realize this type of increase is extraordinary, especially since part of it occurred during the recession, when property values in every U.S. city either plummeted or stagnated. Building the trail took “a leap of faith,” said Brian Payne, president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, which spearheaded the project. The goal was to stimulate development, and in the end, it delivered far beyond expectations. Payne said the city faced many tough issues, including a withering downtown and difficulty drawing and retaining talent. “We were concerned our kids and

empty nesters would go to Chicago and Boston. We had to do something,” he said. Sound familiar? St. Louis has a similar story, says Ralph Pfremmer, CEO of Trailnet, a St. Louis organization that advocates for active transportation such as biking and walking. “This data from Indianapolis, as well as results from other cities, gives us the confidence to move forward with our protected bike and pedestrian paths here in St. Louis,” he said. In addition to increasing property values along and near the trail, the Indianapolis project has spurred significant investments in real estate development. On any given day, on virtually any section of the trail, construction crews can be seen at work, renovating old structures or building new ones. Apartments,

ACROSS STL

condos, multi-family homes, office buildings, restaurants, microbreweries and art galleries keep popping up along the trail, further increasing people’s confidence in the city’s vibrancy and livability. Turning neighborhoods around and providing cyclists with easy access to localities and cultural districts didn’t happen overnight. Payne launched the effort in 2001, raising $27.5 million in donations and $35.5 million in federal transportation grants. No city funds were used to construct the trail. Completed in 2008, the trail connects five different cultural districts in the city, including arts, cultural, sports and entertainment venues. The trail is 8 feet wide and features a 4-foot-wide buffer that protects cyclists and pedestrians from vehicle traffic. Ridership is so heavy on summer days that one shop worker described it as “elbow to elbow” on the path. Can this type of success happen in St. Louis? Payne thinks so, and he’s been helping Trailnet with its planning for a 12-mile, on-street bikeway. “We’re not an outlier. If you build it, this type of development happens,” Payne said. —T.W.

VOLUME 1

By: Celeste Huttes

THINKING FORWARD

Leaders of organizations from across St. Louis share insights on how culture and conservation can build community and drive development.

mproved quality of life? A big and worthy goal, most would agree. Yet few devote their time, talent and careers to making that vision a reality. We talked with some of our area’s most progressive leaders to find out how they are working to connect people and places, and helping St. Louis live up to its potential. From greenways to gateways — industry-leading infrastructure, too — these individuals and the organizations they represent are leveraging the area’s assets to make the region a better place to live, work and play. They come from all walks of life, but find common ground in making an impact on our future.

STEVE STENGER St. Louis County Executive When the economic development teams in St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis joined forces in 2013, a powerful partnership was born. Today, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership represents a unified voice in the region’s efforts to support new and growing businesses. According to St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, the county’s acclaimed park system and enviable quality of life helped spur $2.7 billion in business investment last year. “The world-class St. Louis County park system offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, easy access to trails and some of the most scenic views in Missouri,” said Stenger. “All this contributes to healthy residents and an outstanding quality of life for all ages. These are the kinds of factors companies identify as important when they relocate or expand their businesses in St. Louis County. It is part of what makes St. Louis County a great place to live and work.”

LYDA KREWSON Mayor, City of St. Louis The City of St. Louis is rich in historic neighborhoods and full of culture, and our strength is in our diversity, according to Mayor Lyda Krewson. “St. Louis has a lot of great stuff going on and a lot of great areas in which to live,” said Krewson. “There is Cherokee Street, Tower Grove South, The Shaw neighborhood, Old North, Hyde Park — we need to connect them.” Our ability to attract and retain talented young people is dependent on us providing the types of amenities that are already mainstream in other cities, and we have to work to encourage our entire region to get on board, she continued. Trailnet’s new focus on active transportation and connecting neighborhoods is part of its commitment to an equitable mobility strategy and the opportunities that come along with making it easier for people to get around town. continued on page 12

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LIVe Here. GIVe Here. Talk to us about creating a donor advised fund.

JIM SeeSer With his fund at the St. Louis Community Foundation, Jim helps St. Louis host a robotics championship for thousands of kids. “The professionals at the Community Foundation make our relationship a win-win – for us and the nonprofits we love.”

“The Foundation does 90 percent of what an independent family foundation can do at a fraction of the cost,” he says. “They designed a charitable giving approach specifically for my family, and are a resource as we contribute to the causes and activities we’re passionate about.”

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ERIC MORACZEWSKI CityArchRiver Foundation Making an icon more accessible is the aim of CityArchRiver Foundation. Partnering with federal, state and local public agencies, the nonprofit launched the $380 million CityArchRiver project to connect, invigorate and expand the Gateway Arch grounds. “The undeniable calling card of St. Louis had become disconnected from the city and the Mississippi River,” said Executive Director Eric Moraczewski. “We have a strong focus in returning the Gateway Arch grounds to the St. Louis community.” With more trail-laced green space, play areas and performance venues, the redesigned grounds are expected to draw an additional one million visitors every year. As the project nears completion, the focus is to activate the park with year-round events, from this summer’s Blues at the Arch to Winterfest. “We are working to ensure the Arch remains a vibrant, welcoming, active public space for generations to come,” said Moraczewski. “We want everyone to feel welcome and represented.” KITTY RATCLIFFE Explore St. Louis With roots dating back to 1909, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission — better known today as Explore St. Louis — opens the gates of the Gateway City to visitors from near and far. Working with more than 700 local and regional business partners, Explore St. Louis markets the area as a premier destination for business and leisure travel, conventions, sporting events, group tours and more. The tireless team also manages the America’s Center convention complex, which hosts more than 100 events each year. “Each year, we welcome more than 25 million visitors who spend $5.38 billion dollars in our local economy.

Most importantly, our tourism industry helps provide 88,000 jobs for area residents,” said President Kitty Ratcliffe. “While the majority of our campaigns target audiences outside of St. Louis, we also promote attractions, restaurants and events with local residents and encourage them to experience all our region has to offer.” SUSAN TRAUTMAN Great Rivers Greenway Consider yourself warned, couch potatoes! Getting you outside is the goal at Great Rivers Greenway. Whether transforming a vacant lot into a community park, or building a bold greenway between Forest Park and the Gateway Arch, this pioneering public agency helps create vibrant, connected communities. There are 113 miles of greenways and counting for residents and tourists alike to explore and enjoy. “We work with citizens and partners to build, bring to life and care for a network of greenways,” said Executive Director Susan Trautman. “Greenways help us live life outside.” Most greenways are paved and ADA-accessible, making them an equal opportunity asset — just ask residents of the Crown Center for Senior Living, who walk the Centennial Greenway to shop at Schnucks. Beyond individual health, greenways improve the health of the local economy. “Greenways can serve as a catalyst for future development,” said Trautman. “More companies want to locate in places where it is easy to walk or ride a bike, to provide a high quality of life for employees.” JOHN NATIONS Bi-State Development From planes and trains to rivers and roads, BiState Development (BSD) connects people and places to improve quality of life. As operator of the industry-leading Metro public transit system and continued on page 14

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Great Rivers Greenway fulfilling citizens’ vision to connect region with greenways

LIVE LIFE OUTSIDE

ABOUT THE AGENCY: St. Louisans decided to leave a legacy for future generations by investing in and connecting together some of our region’s best assets – rivers, parks and communities. That vote of the people created a sales tax that allows Great Rivers Greenway, with lots of partner and citizen input, to build, care for and bring to life the network of greenways, creating healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. They are a catalyst for unique collaborations and future development across St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS: GRAVOIS GREENWAY • Construction will begin this fall on the much-anticipated link between the Gravois Greenway (better known as Grant’s Trail) and the River des Peres Greenway. Once finished, 21 continuous miles will connect thousands of people to transit, jobs, schools, libraries, stores, community centers, rivers, creeks and parks. MALINE GREENWAY • Construction will begin later this year on the Maline Greenway in Bella Fontaine County Park, including a tunnel so people can cross 367 (Lewis & Clark Blvd) to connect the two sides of the park. MISSISSIPPI GREENWAY • Embracing the inevitable flooding of the river in smart, sustainable park spaces north of the Arch Grounds in Laclede’s Landing to spur critical economic development at the region’s front door.

CHOUTEAU GREENWAY • With partners, the first section of the will start construction this summer as part of the TIGER grant project to create a new MetroLink stop at Cortex. The next priority is to connect west to Forest Park, then east to the City Foundry project and Saint Louis University. When complete, this will be a major connection from Forest Park to the Arch for all to walk, run or ride a bike through the heart of the city.

accessible path so Greenways have a paved, e a bike to comrid people can walk, run, or ors and explore. ghb nei et mute, exercise, me

CENTENNIAL GREENWAY • This greenway will extend that momentum, going from Forest Park to Creve Coeur Park and beyond to St. Charles. With several miles built, the next effort is a collaboration is with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership to connect to and within 39 North, the AgTech innovation district, as companies take walking and biking into account for where they locate – quality of life for employees is key.

LEAVE YOUR OWN LEGACY: Consider visiting a greenway this weekend, attending the next open house to give feedback, volunteering at a clean up or planting day, joining the online community to get updates, or making a donation to the Great Rivers Greenway Foundation to ensure the long-term success of the greenways.

Discover 113 miles of greenways (plus hundreds more in planning): 13 www.GreatRiversGreenway.org

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St. Louis Downtown Airport, BSD plays a pivotal role in the economic vitality of the region. Pilot programs are in the works to offer basic health screenings and healthy food options at several Metro transit centers in North St. Louis County. Other key enterprises aim to enhance the riverfront experience and market the region’s outstanding freight assets to the world. “For more than six decades, Bi-State Development has partnered with private and public organizations on hundreds of projects. These collaborations have created thousands of jobs on both sides of the Mississippi River,” said President and CEO John Nations. “Our goal is to improve the quality of life for citizens across the region, while contributing to the growth of the local economy.” LESLEY S. HOFFARTH PE Forest Park Forever Every year, some 13 million people are drawn to Forest Park’s natural beauty and landmark destinations like the Jewel Box. Forest Park Forever helps ensure that one of America’s greatest urban public parks is beautiful and welcoming — for today’s visitors and all those to come. The private nonprofit conservancy partners with the City of St. Louis to restore, maintain and enhance this 1,300-acre gem. “The Park provides free access to vital green space to the region’s residents, which nourishes their health and well-being in important ways — from those enjoying one of the renowned free cultural institutions to visitors running the trails, connecting with nature or doing yoga on the Emerson Grand Basin,” said President and Executive Director Lesley S. Hoffarth P.E. “We take pride in the fact that Forest Park is for everyone, and we constantly strive to ensure that Forest Park remains a regional treasure for generations to come.” JASON HALL Arch to Park Collaborative At the crossroads of entrepreneurship and economic development, you’ll find the new kid on the block: Arch to Park Collaborative. The civic initiative brings together a diverse group of stakeholders and civic

leaders to drive a collaborative, transparent and inclusive process that inspires a shared vision for the heart of the region. “Our goal is to develop a bold and intentional economic strategy that builds on St. Louis’ unique core strengths and momentum from the Gateway Arch to Forest Park,” said Co-Founder and Managing Director Jason Hall. That strategy will capitalize on the region’s high quality of life and innovation ecosystem, recognizing that people and businesses today often make location and investment decisions based on these factors. “It is exciting to lead a collaborative economic development effort where we come together in an authentic way and chart a bold course for the future of St. Louis,” said Hall. STEVE SMITH Lawrence Group Bringing new life to old properties has become a habit at Lawrence Group, from the historic Sun Theater to Missouri Pacific Railroad headquarters. Today, these leading designers and developers are tackling their most ambitious effort yet: the former Federal Mogul Foundry site. Led by CEO Steve Smith, the $340 million redevelopment project will transform this historic industrial space into City Foundry St. Louis at Cortex, a center for creativity, commerce and community in midtown St. Louis. The first phase of the project — scheduled for completion in early 2019 — is expected to create 870 permanent jobs, spur additional development and inspire innovation. “We envision City Foundry St. Louis as a place where ideas can thrive and people can connect and collaborate,” said Smith. “We are committed to revitalizing St. Louis and its neighborhoods in a way that embodies the city’s visionary spirit and pays homage to its history.” continued on page 16

ACROSS STL

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Donald Donald Donald Danforth Danforth Danforth Plant Plant Plant Science Science Science Center Center Center COO COO Sam COO Sam Fiorello Sam Fiorello Fiorello Donald Danforth Plant Science Center COO Sam Fiorello

VOLUME 1 BeBe part Be part part of of 39of 39 North 39 North North www.StlPartnership.com www.StlPartnership.com www.StlPartnership.com @39NorthSTL @39NorthSTL @39NorthSTL

HANK WEBBER Cortex Innovation Community From the ivory tower to the epicenter of innovation, Hank Webber is always learning and leading. As Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and a professor of practice at Washington University, Webber teaches and studies urban redevelopment, including a long-term study of neighborhood change in St. Louis. He also has led major change in the city as the secondever Chairman of the Cortex Innovation Community. The rapidly growing research community is now home to more than 300 companies and 5,000 jobs. “Cortex is a catalyst for innovation that brings together problem solvers of all kinds in a dense and diverse district,” said Webber. “I have spent my career at the intersection of higher education and the regeneration of cities. Cortex is a way to rebuild the economic heart of St. Louis. More than that, my hope is that Cortex can help recreate the American dream of equality of opportunity.” DR. CHRISTINE JACOBS St. Louis University Family Medicine Residency Dr. Christine Jacobs has built a career on caring for patients — and the community. As founder and Program Director of the award-winning St. Louis University Family Medicine Residency, she trains physicians to care for underserved patients in urban settings.

The healing happens at Family Care Health Center, a community health center in the Carondelet neighborhood, and at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Program graduates go on to become Board-certified family physicians working in diverse practices across the region. “We provide over 7,000 continuity health care visits annually in a patient-centered medical home. As family physicians, we care for the entire family — from infants to seniors — with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention,” said Jacobs. “Diet, exercise and accessible health care are essential to the health of our community.” MISSY KELLEY Downtown STL, Inc. Much like ’60s songbird Petula Clark, Missy Kelley happily sings the praises of “Downtown.” As President and CEO of Downtown STL, Inc., Kelley leads efforts to enhance and promote the heart of the city — always with an eye for diversity. “We focus on everything from trades to technology,” said Kelley. “Our ultimate goal is to have a vibrant, active, growing downtown.” To attract talent, Kelley is currently working with BiState Development to create a bike share system. Along with environmental benefits, biking promotes a slower pace that allows riders to engage with their community. Even a simple stop at a neighborhood coffee shop is more manageable on a bike. “This is an amenity that is appreciated by all demographics and industries — particularly Millennials,” said Kelley. More than mere niceties, “benefits like bike share and cigarette recycling bins are a cue that St. Louis is a progressive, health-oriented city.”

We would also like to recognize the following members of Trailnet’s Executive Committee for their contributions and support: President MICHAEL HICKEY Partner, Lewis Rice LLC

Secretary CLARE HIGGINS Community Development Specialist

Treasurer KATRINA PON Risk Management Business Director, McCarthy Construction

ACROSS STL

Member-at-Large RODNEY CRIM President, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership

explore today at WWW.IBKACTIVE.COM VOLUME 1

St. Charles County

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rom the iconic Gateway Arch to rustic Missouri River Country, the St. Louis region brings together natural and manmade attractions like nowhere else — connected by a growing network of nationally significant bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Here are some of the places that make us truly special, and how you can enjoy them.

top:

The Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the U.S. Missouri Botanical Garden is our country’s oldest botanical garden

above:

ARTS & CULTURE Once part of historic Route 66, the old Chain of Rocks Bridge (1) is today a pedestrian/bicycle path linking Madison County, Ill., to St. Louis north of downtown. Head south on the Mississippi Greenway and you’ll soon reach the 630-foot Gateway Arch (2), the tallest man-made monument in the country and a tribute to our Western Expansion. From there, it’s a short walk to the Old Courthouse (3) and then to Citygarden (4), an urban oasis featuring contemporary sculptures, water fountains and native plants. Cheer on the Cardinals at Busch Stadium (5), or pop in at the National Blues Museum (6) to hear about the roots of modern American music. Union Station (7), once the busiest train station in the U.S., hopes to complete a new 65,000-square-

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DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS 10

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to Backyard foot aquarium in summer 2019. More than 1.5 million people visit Grand Center (8) each year, coming for Broadway shows, jazz music, the symphony, films and more. Nearby, the new Loop Trolley (9) connects University City and Forest Park (10), which, at 1,293 acres, is about 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. It’s a favorite for runners and cyclists, and home to renown institutions such as the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum and Missouri History Museum. Another amazing arboreal feat is the Missouri Botanical Garden (11), our country’s oldest botanical garden, highlighted by a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden and one of the world’s largest collections of rare orchids. St. Louis has a variety of attractions promoting creative learning and the arts, not the least of which is the Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum (12), nationally recognized for its hands-on exhibits and programs. Likewise, Stages St. Louis (13), headquartered

in Chesterfield, entertains and educates thousands of kids and adults each year through its musical theater and performing arts academy. While you’re in Chester-

top:

Katy Trail State Park, our country’s longest rail-trail Forest Park is about 500 acres larger than Central Park

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field, flit over to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (14), where you can mingle with 1,000 live butterflies in its glass conservatory. Located within a stone’s throw of the Missouri River in historic downtown St. Charles, the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site (15) is the original seat of the state’s government. Interpretive programs here help visitors understand how our government was formed and what life was like in the early 1800s. The Foundry Arts Centre (16), also in St. Charles, is a non-profit member organization that strives to connect people and the arts with exhibitions, artists’ studios, performances and education — all housed in a reimagined train car factory. NATURAL ASSETS St. Louis developed below the junction of our nation’s two mightiest rivers — the Mississippi and the Missouri — and these waterways and their scenic bluffs, terraces, low hills and broad valleys make up much of the topography here. You can see where the rivers merge at Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park (17), the point at which Lewis and Clark

Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park has a 6-mile water trail

set off on their expedition up the Missouri. Numerous parks and trails border the Meramec (18), one of the longest free-flowing rivers in our state. It weaves 218 miles from its headwaters near Salem, Mo., to where it empties into the Mississippi south of St. Louis in Arnold and Oakville. At last count, St. Louis County had over 40 parks in its system. Family-friendly Queeny Park (19) is home to the Greensfelder Recreation Complex, the Dog Museum, fishing, trails, playgrounds and picnic sites. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park (20) offers a rare combination of

Save the Date

January 14, 2018

Gateway Center • Collinsville, Ill.

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Meramec Greenway, part of Great Rivers Greenway’s River Ring

paved, natural surface and water trails, the latter reaching 6 miles across the lake and up a creek to historic points of interest and scenic flora and fauna. At the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Greensfelder County Park (21) features shaded trails and spectacular views, equestrian and group camping, a nature learning center, picnic sites and shelters, and an orienteering course. Popular Castlewood State Park (22) is one of three state parks in the St. Louis area (the others are Babler and Route 66). It’s known for its network of multi-use trails, some of which top the high Meramec River bluffs,

and its sandy swimming beach. The 12 parks in the St. Charles County system include Indian Camp Creek (23), its largest at 603 acres. With a disc golf course, more than 10 miles of multi-use trails, eco-nature playground and popular swimming hole, it is a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Tying it together, Great Rivers Greenway’s River Ring includes 113 miles of paved paths, separate from car traffic, that are readily accessible and provide an alternative yet practical way to get around. The long-term plan is for more than 600 miles of connected greenways, extending from St. Louis City, to St. Louis County into St. Charles County. The longest rail-trail in the country, Katy Trail State Park (24) runs 287 miles from Machens, northeast of St. Charles, to Clinton, Mo. Each year, some 400,000 visitors to the trail generate $18.5 million for our state. Learn more about the development of the Katy starting on page 47. You can read about the many natural and cultural assets along the Katy Trail and Highway 94 in St. Charles County starting on page 42 of this issue of ACROSS STL. Look for more on our higher learning institutions and unique neighborhoods in this space next issue.

free festival of the outdoors from

Great Rivers Greenway Saturday, June 10, 2017 10am-4pm Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park

Check out what you can do to live more of your life outside in your yard, park or on a greenway something for everyone!

www.LiveLifeOutside.org VOLUME 1

Pastaria by Greg Rannells

Nourishing Neighborhoods By Terri Waters

How progressive restaurants can connect and energize communities.

he dining scene in the St. Louis region just keeps getting better. We have a breed of progressive chefs and restaurant owners who are continually raising the bar to bring us some of the best food experiences in the Midwest — and many are winning awards for their efforts. ACROSS STL spoke to proprietors of several local establishments to find out their thoughts on how restaurants bring vitality and a sense of identity to neighborhoods. These restaurateurs understand the importance of being part of the fabric of daily life in their communities. Some regularly host fundraisers, while others work to promote their neighborhood to draw more businesses. They value being on well-traveled routes for cars and bikes, and want to be part of the conversation about connecting neighborhoods for a more vibrant St. Louis region.

David Bailey

A typical Sunday brunch at Rooster on South Grand draws 1,200 to 1,500 people. This, in a building that sat idle for 11 years and was slated for demolition several times. “The building was left to languish smack in the middle of a great street full of rehabbed, beautiful buildings,” owner David Bailey said. Bailey, already a successful restaurateur with numerous locations, was inspired to save the building. He applied for historic tax credits and says getting approval was key to his ability to renovate the building and open the restaurant. “The credits freed up investment capital so that we could more than double the size. That created more seats for cus-

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tomers and many, many more jobs,” Bailey said. Bailey says none of his six restaurants would have been built without historic tax credits. WHY HE’S IN THE CITY “St. Louis has so much to offer. We have a lot of quality building stock and a good cost of living. There’s a lot of untapped potential,” RESTAURANTS: Bailey said. “I live in Tower Grove Bailey’s Range Bailey’s Chocolate South. My wife and I have been Bar invested in that neighborhood. You Bridge Tap House want the place where you live to be Rooster beautiful, dynamic. I’m also thinking Small Batch about the future for my kids. How Shift, Test Kitchen & Take Out will St. Louis be in 20 years? What are the goals we need to set?” NEIGHBORHOODS: Bailey also has locations downDowntown town. “Part of what drove me downLafayette Square Midtown town was that buildings were being Tower Grove East redeveloped. I knew downtown was heading in the right direction,” he said. “We opened Bridge, then Range. We were really seeing it take hold. Downtown didn’t lose steam, even in the recession.” THOUGHTS ON PROTECTED BIKE AND WALKING PATHS “St. Louis is a car town. Except for the main core, the city was built around automobiles. It spreads us way out,” Bailey said. “Anything we can do to make our neighborhoods more amenable to residential life is a good thing. If you look at a map of where my restaurants are, it’s about an eightmile network. We’ve done bike tours to connect them.”

Pedro Beltranena

You rarely see the words “upscale” and “sports bar” in the same sentence. But that’s how Lester’s describes itself, and it’s fitting. No grimy restrooms or sticky countertops here. Brick walls provide a rustic elegance to the large space. The dining room features 48 plasma screens and audio controls at tables so you can hear every detail of the game, or tune into friends at the bar. Lester’s regularly draws large crowds, mainly from the central corridor. Managing partner Pedro Beltranena has been at Lester’s since it opened in 2007.

RESTAURANTS IMPACT NEIGHBORHOODS “The more diversity of restaurants you have, the more economic activity you’ll have, because people want diversity in their food choices,” Beltranena said. “Whatever mood you’re in, you want to be able to choose. Look at Chesterfield Valley. They have about 60 restaurants. It used to be just Annie Gunn’s. Ladue has diversity in its restaurants, and it works really well.”

RESTAURANTS: Lester’s Sports Bar & Grill NEIGHBORHOODS:

UNIFYING OUR REGION Ladue “Any destination, such as the Katy Trail, unifies the entire region. People are crossing the river to St. Charles to get there. Augusta and other towns [along the Katy] have more restaurants now because it’s a destination. People are biking and stopping in. There’s definitely a correlation,” said Beltranena. “The city of St. Louis has a lot to offer as a destination. Downtown we have the Blues and Cardinals. The city is historic, and [visiting the city] exposes people to more things. It helps people become more well-rounded,” he said. “We need to look at ourselves as a big city. We’re not just a bunch of different cities.”

Gerard Craft

Gerard Craft is an award-winning chef and a St. Louis favorite. He first came to notice in 2005, when, at the age of 25, he opened Niche in Benton Park and “sparked a revolution in St. Louis dining,” according to Sauce Magazine. Niche featured progressive modern cuisine and became nationally recognized for precision and adherence to strict Missouri-only sourcing of ingredients. In 2009, Craft became the first local chef to become a James Beard Midwest finalist, and he has received that recognition several times since.

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RESTAURANTS: Brasserie Pastaria Porano Pasta Sardella Taste NEIGHBORHOODS: Clayton Central West End Downtown

RESTAURANTS ADD VITALITY “Restaurants make areas safer, more lively and more desirable,” said Craft. “I remember when Truman’s Bar, across the street from Niche, closed for a long time because the roof caved in. It felt bad and gloomy [while they were closed]. There was a lack of activity and life.” TRANSPORTATION IS KEY TO IMPROVING OUR REGION “We don’t approach transportation well,” Craft said. “People don’t feel safe on MetroLink. Younger people don’t necessarily want cars. People are interested in cities that take transportation seriously. Biking is healthy and great, but dangerous [on busy roads].” Craft is a member of Better Together, which advocates to connect the city and county. “MetroLink has to have its own police because it crosses the City-County line. It’s one more roadblock. For years our city has not been addressing real problems. It does us no good to pretend crime doesn’t exist,” he continued. “Downtown is also important to invest in. We need to start the conversation. It’s often neglected.”

Kevin Nashan

Kevin Nashan was just named Best Chef: Midwest for the highly competitive James Beard Award, and he’s been a semifinalist numerous times. He’s been lauded for maintaining the high standards of the iconic Sidney Street Café, which he purchased in 2003, while also RESTAURANTS: Sidney Street Café modernizing it with his progressive Peacemaker Lobculinary approach. ster & Crab Co. Nashan is about elevating the dining experience, always trying someNEIGHBORHOOD: Benton Park thing new. He believes competition from new restaurants is positive because it raises the bar. “It makes everyone be more creative,” he told Sauce Magazine. HOW RESTAURANTS IMPACT A COMMUNITY “Restaurants bring in jobs, tax dollars and add something positive to an area,” Nashan said, adding that Benton Park has seen a lot of positive change over the last 15 to 20 years. HOW PROTECTED BIKE PATHS CAN HELP “Any time we can allow another form of transportation, it

benefits the city in multiple ways,” said Nashan. “Obviously, health is impacted, and it’s a safer environment for biking. It gives an incentive for people who are not comfortable riding in traffic. And there’s less of a [carbon] footprint.” CYCLING AND RAISING MONEY Nashan is taking part in the 300-mile, three-day Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry charity ride for a second year. He will ride with Josh Allen of Companion this year; last year he rode with Gerard Craft.

Ben Poremba

Ben Poremba took a gamble in 2012 when he opened three businesses in a neighborhood that was dilapidated and crime-ridden. “It was a lifeless corner,” Poremba said of the location at Tower Grove and McRee avenues. “You saw empty buildings, uneven sidewalks and not a lot of traffic.” Poremba credits UIC+CDO, an architectural and property development firm, with introducing him and other business owners to the possibilities for the neighborhood. He said historic tax credits were critical to making the deals happen.

RESTAURANTS: Elaia La Patisserie Chouquette Olio Nixta Parigi NEIGHBORHOODS: Botanical Heights Clayton

BOTANICAL HEIGHTS TODAY “Within three or four months [after the restaurants opened], the neighborhood was showing signs of life. The restaurants were bringing people in from the county and other parts of the city,” said Poremba. “Today, there are avant-garde looking houses and a lot of young families. You see kids walking home from the new Montessori school. People come in for coffee and pastries. It’s lively, urban.” CYCLING IN THE AREA “Tower Grove Avenue has become an artery for bikers. You can go from Tower Grove Park to Forest Park pretty easily. People who live or work in the Central West End can connect to Tower Grove, too,” Poremba said. “Cyclists ride by our area — massive amounts of them — and a fair amount stop in. The Naked Bike Ride goes by our place every year.”

ACROSS STL

Steve VanderKolb

A few minutes from Forest Park, Felix’s Pizza Pub pays homage to cyclists, with bicycles hanging from rafters and mounted on walls. Co-owners Steve VanderKolb and Tom Galbraith are both into biking. Galbraith used to race, and VanderKolb has completed three RESTAURANT: long rides, including a 1,000-mile Felix’s Pizza Pub ride from Colorado to St. Louis. The NEIGHBORHOOD: grueling trip raised money for a Dogtown local Make-a-Wish recipient. This summer, he’s doing it again, riding from Minneapolis to St. Louis. VanderKolb says it’s important for restaurants to support their community. Twice a month he invites organizations to hold fundraisers on site, donating back $17 for every $25 spent. Over the course of a year, donations add up to more than $100,000. “We believe in paying it forward. It builds strong rela-

tionships in the community,” said VanderKolb. “I want to encourage other restaurants to do this. You can grow your business and get to know your community, and it doesn’t cost you anything.” IMPACT OF RESTAURANTS “Good restaurants can bring up home values in an area. Without restaurants, it becomes a ghost town,” said VanderKolb. “On our block, we have an insurance agent, a violin shop and other amenities. And Seamus McDaniel’s. The competition is good. We share a lot of the same customers. The more businesses, the better the neighborhood.” INVESTING IN DOGTOWN VanderKolb lived in Dogtown for many years. “I like the blend of people who live here. It’s a tight-knit neighborhood,” he said. “And we’re close to a gorgeous park and zoo.” The Zoo recently purchased the 50-acre site of the former Deaconess Hospital, which was torn down. VanderKolb hopes they will run trams to the Zoo. There’s also a potential $26 million project nearby that would have 100 apartments. “It’s exciting to see people investing in this neighborhood,” he said.

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Sonoma, Tuscany and

St. Louis Luxury cycling close to home

rom the vineyards of Sonoma to the history and romance of Tuscany, Trek Travel takes its guests to the most remarkable places on earth. This October, St. Louis and Missouri River Country will join that spectacular list of destinations when, for the first time ever, a Trek cycling adventure comes to town — and country. For several months, Trek Travel, a division of the same company that builds, arguably, some of the best bicycles in the world, has been planning a five-day, four-night, all-inclusive Missouri cycling experience.

“This is a first-time trip for us in the area,” said trip coordinator Bryna Rudy. “Over the years, we’ve selected destinations in about 50 locations across the world, in Europe, America, Southeast Asia, South America and Central America.” According to Trek guide and trip planner Amy Davison, who toured the area and developed the itinerary in the fall of 2016, this experience is full of what Trek likes to call “trip wows.” “Many people don’t realize that Missouri has a wine country, or one of the biggest and best urban parks

ACROSS STL

By: Amanda Christmann in America, but after this trip, they’ll be talking about it forever,” said Davison. “Few places, anywhere, have urban gems like the Gateway Arch, Forest Park and the Central West End so close to an experience like the Katy Trail.” Even though Trek Travel provides helmets, gear, jerseys and top-of-the-line bikes that would make any cyclist swoon, this particular trip is perfect for beginners or mid-level riders. The itinerary calls for an average of 25 miles each day, but support and options are available for those who want to ride

Great rivers Greenway Curt Dennison

Days One & Two

less, or even more. For example, riders can pedal a few miles through Forest Park and then visit the St. Louis Art Museum or take a short trip on the Katy Trail and spend the rest of the day tasting wine. Said Rudy, “We’ve designed this trip to be as welcoming as possible. One of our big hallmarks at Trek Travel is having a variety of routes. For example, we can have a couple coming, one person who’s more serious and the other wants to stop and smell roses and sip wine along the way. There’s plenty to offer for each of them.”

Riders will begin downtown at the Arch, take a tour of the Art Museum, pedal through the 1,300 acres of Forest Park, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, and lounge at the Four Seasons or a cafe in the Central West End — and that’s just the first two days.

Day Three

On day three, riders will be shuttled to St. Charles, where a more intimate look at Missouri history, including its wineries and strong German heritage, will begin. The tour will follow the internationally known Katy Trail, meandering

along what was once a primary rail route through the tranquil landscape of Missouri River Country. Trek guests will make a stop in Augusta to tour and enjoy lunch at Mount Pleasant Winery, founded in 1859. Mount Pleasant was the first winery in America to bottle a wine from a recognized American Viticultural Area, six months before the Napa Valley. Today’s harvests are still aged in the cellars that were hand-dug in the 1880s by the founders. From Augusta, guests will travel westward along the Katy to Peers Store, where they’ll take a break for ice cream and live music played on the porch of the historic mercantile.

left:

The iconic Gateway Arch stands over “The Captain’s Return,” a sculpture created by St. Louisan Harry Weber to remind us of the opening of the west on the Missouri River. top: Cyclists ride on the 240-mile Katy Trail, the longest in America, through the country’s first recognized American Viticultural Area.

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The Jewel Box, located on a 17-acre site in Forest Park, is just one of the sights riders will see on day one.

Depending on their personal preference, riders will eventually make their way to Hermann, by bike or in a comfortable van, where there is much history to enjoy. Trek Travel guests will have an opportunity to take in the charm and history — and the wine — as they cap off the day with a private dinner at the Tin Mill Restaurant, housed in a re-imagined historic grain elevator, then turn in for the night at The Inn at Hermannhof, a restored 19th-century wine cottage perched high on

the hillside.

in Marthasville, where the owners of this 1905 farmhouse will host a private lunch and wine tasting from their own vineyard. The rest of the day can be spent on the trail, riding the hills along Highway 94, or relaxing in town. Whether guests want to push their pedals or hop on board the shuttle, there will be plenty to see and do. The final evening will begin with a tour of the Hermann Farm, which was home to George Husmann, a 19th-century American wine expert whose legacy and heritage remain

“ Few places, anywhere, have urban gems like the Gateway Arch, Forest Park and the Central West End so close to an experience like the katy trail. ”

Day Four

Day four will offer yet another perspective of Missouri River Country. A morning ride will lead guests to the tranquil Bethlehem Valley Farm

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preserved in the peaceful Missouri countryside. An unforgettable authentic German dinner — capped off with chocolate and wine cellar rendezvous — will be served at the Alpenhorn Gasthaus, a meticulously restored German home and farmstead.

Day Five

Finally, the group will travel forward in time again the next morning as the Trek Travel shuttle returns guests back through the countryside and into the city to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. With support, gear, great bikes, all-inclusive details and exceptional autumn weather, this Trek Travel trip is bound to be memorable. To get your wheels rolling, visit www.trektravel. com/missouri or call Bryna Rudy at 866-464-8735 ext. 15618.

WIN A LUXURY CYCLING TRIP TO ST. LOUIS AND MISSOURI WINE COUNTRY! Feeling lucky? You could win a place on this luxury cycling trip to St. Louis and Missouri Wine Country. Enter as indicated below and send us a paragraph about why you love cycling in St. Louis and Missouri. The ideal guest is someone who’s not only a cycling enthusiast but a social media sensation who will share the experience with their millions of followers. However, winning has everything to do with luck, not writing ability, so no pressure. We just want to see your creativity! We hope this trip will be the first of many to St. Louis and Missouri that will illustrate why we love where we live. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Approximate value of the trip is $2,950. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. You must be 21 to enter and win and live in one of the 50 states of the United States or the District of Columbia. Enter at www.acrossstl.com (the “Site”) or mail your name, mailing address, email address, phone number and date of birth on a 3” x 5” card and mail it to Marcia Quint, Trailnet, 412 North 10th Street, Suite 202, St. Louis, MO 63101. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time, July 1, 2017. The winner will be drawn at random from the pool of all eligible entries received and will be notified by July 15, 2017. The trip takes place from October 7-11. See the Official Rules at the Site for all details, including restrictions on eligibility. For both online and U.S. mail entries, send us a few sentences about why you want to go on this trip and what cycling in Missouri means to you. Best of luck!

You’ve never seen the Midwest like this. Discover the land that lies at the confluence of America’s two greatest rivers in one memorable trip.

Our path takes us past the unique Citygarden, the magnificent Gateway Arch and one of America’s great urban landscapes, Forest Park. We’ll see the renowned Missouri Botanical Garden and ride though Missouri’s historic wine country on the Katy Trail. Join us this fall in Missouri.

ST. LOUIS AND MISSOURI WINE COUNTRY BIKE TOUR OCTOBER 7-11, 2017 | 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TREKTRAVEL.COM/MISSOURI

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PRESERVING M Headline

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MISSOURIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Indian Grove

GERMAN HERITAGE

The German settlement patterns of both the Corridor and the state as a whole.

Hermann Concordia

Dutzow

St. Louis

Arrow Rock

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Peers Westphalia

Augusta

Washington

For more information, please contact: Caitlin Yager Missouri Humanities Council 415 S. 18th St. Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63103 314.781.9660 caitlin@mohumanities.org

www.mohumanities.org VOLUME 1

One building's role in preserving the rich cultural past of a bygone era

A STOREwith a By: Amanda Christmann

STORY 32

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The Peers Store opened in 1896 along the KATY Railroad. Today, it is open spring, summer and fall weekends, featuring bluegrass music on the front porch and the art of Missouri artist Bryan Haynes, one of the state’s leading landscape painters, inside.

t the edge of the willow and cottonwood floodplain forest along the Missouri River is a timeless connection between our past and our future. In the decades following the Civil War, both the river and the railroad promised progress and prosperity. It was during this snapshot in time, in 1896, that the Glosemeyer family took advantage of what appeared to be the perfect opportunity. In the new town of Peers, a quaint, inviting, two-story clapboard mercantile store was built. Outside its front door ran the mighty Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, referred to fondly as the K-T, or the KATY, a superhighway of sorts from St. Louis to Galveston and beyond. Between the river, the railroad and the fertile surrounding lands that attracted growing numbers of German immigrants, a store full of dry goods and farming supplies could only flourish. The store was a center for trade and a social life — part of the fabric that created the culture of the river valley. Floodwaters took over the store for the first time in 1903, destroying much of the stock, but, in a bigger blow, the flood shifted the river’s path two miles to the south. Without the river, but still in the floodplain, the store had the problems, but none of the benefits, of the waterway. After decades of rising water and falling business, in 1986, the KATY gave up its right of way and closed the railroad. Now, Peers was without the river and the rails. Box stores popped up in nearby towns, and by 2012, still loved but in disrepair, the Peers Store was shuttered. The story of the store may have ended there. Even-

tually, it would have been slated for demolition, or like so many other remnants of the past, it could have died a slow death, one rotten board at a time. But thanks to a little luck and a lot of hard work, that wasn’t the case. Today, the store still stands next to the Katy — but now it is the Katy Trail State Park instead of the railroad. Each year, the trail brings an estimated 400,000 visitors through 287 miles of farmland and small towns. Its path runs across farm fields and below rugged bluffs, and past the almost disappeared town of Peers, allowing visitors to experience the heart of Missouri like never before. Today’s owners operate the store on behalf of the Katy Land Trust and Magnificent Missouri to welcome visitors with a message of conservation and local history. They know there is a tremendous amount at stake in the region, and this time it isn’t the whim of the river that they’re facing. The story of the river has always been change — Native Americans, steamboats and the railroad have come and gone. Today, development pressure threatens the history and landscape in the Missouri River Valley as floods did in years past. Without education and advocacy, the bucolic scenic landscape and local history could be lost within a generation. The Peers Store is the hub of conservation efforts by the Katy Land Trust, which not only involve conserving the countryside but also preserving the rich cultural past of a bygone era that shaped and molded the values of Missourians — and, in many ways, the entire country.

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The KATY Railroad followed the Missouri River Valley west of St. Louis and brought life to places like Augusta, Dutzow, Marthasville, Peers, Treloar and McKittrick. Shown here are the Peers Store (top), Gloria Attoun and Michael Bauermeister of Augusta (right) and a selection of gifts at the store celebrating the small towns along the Katy Trail.

Re-Imagining the Past The Peers Store has become a favorite stop along the Katy Trail. Cyclists pause here to enjoy ice cream and cold soda while reminiscing about a past few remember, but that all can appreciate. Weekend visitors are more likely to hear what’s happening at the Peers Store before they see it. On an old-fashioned porch, folksy bands like the Bluegill Buddies, the River Wanderers, Missouri Bottom Project and Tom Hall welcome guests with banjos, bass fiddles, violins and mandolins. It’s a scene that would be expected more on a movie set than along this peaceful stretch of crushed limestone. Once inside the store, bright white shelves that once held canned goods and quilting supplies now showcase artwork and gifts with conservation and Missouri in mind. There are large, colorful prints by artist Bryan Haynes from the beautifully illustrated book, Growing

Up with the River, Nine Generations on the Missouri. The book, too, is part of the Katy Land Trust’s effort to reach the hearts and minds of those who ride the trail or live nearby with a message about the need for cultural and natural conservation. Art isn’t found only on the shelves of the store but along the Katy itself. Billyo O’Donnell, a noted pleinair artist, has created large banners for the McKittrick Coal Tower a few miles down the trail. Haynes’ work is seen on the Treloar Elevator. These images not only tell the story of rural Missouri but inspire a deeper connection to the land, water and rich history of the area — and make a day here more fun. There will also be a celebration of the total solar eclipse here on August 21. The Peers Store stands almost in the middle of what will be one of the best views in the state for this once-in-a-lifetime Great American Eclipse.

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Education and the Enemy of the State Non-native plants (most notably bush honeysuckle) are one of Missouri’s biggest threats. In recent decades, bush honeysuckle has spread out from the city and taken over suburban and rural biomes, blocking out other low-growing ground plants and preventing native tree seedlings from sprouting. The Peers Store has been a rallying point for stopping the spread of the plant into the countryside. Two years ago, every bush honeysuckle plant on the Katy Trail between Dutzow and Hermann was mapped using GPS in an effort to identify where encroachment begins and ends. The goal is to create “a line on the trail” that the plant does not pass. The Katy Land Trust and Magnificent Missouri created an Enemy of the State logo that is now used on billboards and other outlets throughout Missouri to create awareness of this threat. Many “honeysuckle hike and hacks” are organized along the Katy Trail in the spring and fall. In 2015, the football team from MICDS, a St. Louis high school, joined the effort by putting in a long day of honeysuckle clearing along the trail. The hope is that,

not only will the narrow but long swath of land that is the Katy Trail State Park remain natural and preserved, but adjoining land owners will recognize the importance and join the fight. All of these endeavors are part of something much bigger than the white two-story mercantile with the decorative Victorian gable that has withstood the river and the sands of time for more than 120 years. With a little luck, people will get off the freeways and get onto the rural highways and byways to connect with the land, water and culture of Missouri River Country. The theme of the Katy Land Trust is “people conserve what they love.” After a visit to the Peers Store, it is hard not to love it.

HANDCRAFTED IN WASHINGTON, MO

SINCE 1869 Today our craftsmen make corn cob pipes by hand much like they did the originals in 1869.

Visit our showroom and museum in historic downtown Washington Tuesday through Friday 10 am - 4 pm or Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. 400 W. Front Street • Washington, MO 63090 • 800-888-2109 pipes@corncobpipe.com • corncobpipe.com

Missouri_Meer_Half_ad_V2.indd 1

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4/11/17 10:28 AM

There' s much to discover on a self-guided tour along the Katy Trail and scenic Highway 94.

Over the River & Through the Woods 12

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ead west on the Daniel Boone Bridge, which carries Interstate 64 over the Missouri River in Chesterfield, and you’ll find an opportunity to experience history and charm along one of our state’s most scenic routes. But first, you’ll have to decide on your mode of travel. A new bike and pedestrian path on the bridge, opened last summer, now makes it possible to cross the river on two wheels, then merge with the Katy Trail. Or, you can drive over and head west on Highway 94. In many spots, the Katy Trail and Highway 94 hug the Missouri River like a belt. They cruise by the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, a 1947 Busch family gift that will always be sheltered from development. In Defiance, you’ll come to understand why Daniel Boone loved his home here. The town is the start of the Missouri Wine Trail, or Weinstrasse, so stop and take a sip. Explore a few miles more and settle into beautiful Augusta to experience the quaint shops and accommo-

dations. Then, branch out to sample the wineries in the surrounding hills, part of the nation’s very first U.S. American Viticultural Area. Just past Dutzow, see where Daniel and Rebecca Boone were buried in Marthasville. Drive or bike through Peers, then Treloar with its iconic old grain elevator and past historic St. John’s United Church of Christ and its cemetery, raised above the floodplain. For a few miles, the road becomes a rollercoaster through beautiful wooded hills and bluffs, presenting panoramic views of the river, until you rejoin the floodplain and the Katy Trail. Cross the striking Highway 19 Kit Bond Bridge and spend a delightful day, or two, among Hermann’s historic museums, bed-and-breakfasts built by riverboat captains, restaurants, festhalles, wineries and watering holes. When you’re ready, the south leg of your loop awaits. But that’s another adventure. For now, here are some excursions and activities not to be missed during this, the northern part of the journey.

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AUGUST A. BUSCH MEMORIAL CONSERVATION AREA Totaling 6,987 acres of undeveloped green space south of Interstate 64, the Busch Conservation Area provides a true escape for discovering nature. The terrain is mostly flat, with a maze of gravel roads that provides access to 30 lakes for fishing. The area is also an excellent bicycling, birding and hunting destination. Almost half of Busch Conservation Area is forest and woodlands, but there are also significant open crop and grassy sections. About 200 acres are restored prairie, which offers a brilliant show of wildflowers.

WELDON SPRING SITE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Connected to the Busch Conservation Area by the Hamburg Trail (on bicycle or foot), Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center is just down the road, consisting of 7,400 acres of forest. You’ve likely heard about the “explosive” history of the former ammunition works and uranium processing plant here. Now, visit the center to watch the movie, tour the 150-acre rehabilitated prairie and climb the seven-story rock “disposal cell” for an amazing view.

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SMOKEHOUSE MARKET & ANNIE GUNN’S Before you even put the pedal down, stop in at this familiar Chesterfield landmark and fill your picnic basket with imported and domestic cheeses, fresh produce, gourmet condiments and housemade sandwiches and desserts from the market, or have an entire pre-outing meal at Annie Gunn’s, famous for its sophisticated country cuisine. THE KATY TRAIL The Daniel Boone Bridge bicycle/pedestrian path connects the Monarch Chesterfield Levee Trail on the south side of the Missouri River with the Katy Trail on the north side. From there, bicyclists have access to 287 miles of crushed limestone stretching from Clinton to Machens, Mo., with 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots along the way. Take the Busch Greenway connector to get to our next stop.

DEFIANCE Revel in the restoration of this hamlet that was once home to Daniel Boone. Defiance marks the beginning of the Missouri Wine Trail that extends through Augusta, Dutzow, Marthasville and Hermann, and it has become a hot spot on the Katy Trail, featuring restaurants and taverns with outside service as well as bicycle rentals, shuttles and bed-and-breakfasts catering to rolling tourists. The Defiance Trailhead, just west of town, offers parking, restrooms, a picnic table and a map station.

KLONDIKE PARK Once the site of an old silica sand quarry, the 250 rugged acres here have been turned into beautiful parkland. Klondike makes a cozy camping retreat, nestled right in Missouri’s wine country, and features more than 4 miles of natural and paved trails for hiking and biking. A lookout bluff provides picturesque views of the Missouri River Valley, as well as the Katy Trail below.

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HISTORIC DANIEL BOONE HOME AND HERITAGE CENTER Some folks liken it to a tiny Midwestern Williamsburg. The home, built from 1803 to 1810, is surrounded by structures like those common at the time of the Louisiana Purchase and Missouri’s early statehood — carpenter and blacksmith shops, a general store, a chapel and a schoolhouse. Stroll the beautiful wooded grounds and think about the families living in this part of the country decades ago.

MARTHASVILLE Visit the Daniel Boone Monument and Burial Site, or tour historic Luxenhaus Farm, which hosts the Deutsch Country Days on one special October weekend (October 21-22 in 2017), giving attendees a chance to revisit the 1800s and see how Missouri’s early settlers lived. The Katy Trail passes through Marthasville, with a trailhead that offers parking, water, restrooms, picnic tables and a map station.

AUGUSTA On June 20, 1980, Augusta was declared the first official U.S. American Viticultural Area, beating Napa Valley by eight months. Today, there are several wineries in the quaint little village, as well as a microbrewery, antique stores, cozy B&Bs and amazing views of the Missouri River Valley from atop towering bluffs. You can walk to town from the Augusta Trailhead on the Katy Trail, which has parking, restrooms and a picnic area.

PEERS STORE The Peers Store is a testament to many things: the craftsmanship of those who built it 120 years ago; the need to respect our floodplains and the consequences of building in them; the changing nature of our economy and transportation system; and the history and beauty of the Missouri River Valley landscape. You can read much more about the property starting on page 32.

Augusta, Missouri Come Visit and Stay Awhile

Home to the First AVA in the country! (American Viticulture Area)

Because Life’s Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.

Annual Events Plein Air Art Festival

April 20-30, 2017

Harvest Festival

September 15-17, 2017

Candlelight Christmas Walk December 1 & 8, 2017

Wineries Brewery Antiques Lodging Spa Restaurants Shopping Katy Trail View the Solar Eclipse in Wine Country. Monday August 21, 2017

636-228-4005 www.augusta-chamber.org

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TRELOAR ELEVATOR Two paintings by celebrated Missouri artist Bryan Haynes have been re-created on banners on the unused grain elevator in Treloar, a whistle stop on the Katy Trail west of Marthasville. One hangs just below a rusting sign that says “Marthasville Feed & Supply Co.” and shows Missouri’s State Bird (the bluebird) flying over a vineyard of Missouri’s State Grape (Norton). The other is an old-time farm scene of a wheat harvest. Either could depict scenes found in the nearby hills.

MCKITTRICK AND COAL TOWER McKittrick is a quiet little town, with a few B&Bs and a grocery and restaurant for supplies. Like the Treloar grain elevator, the old coal tower rising above the Katy Trail trailhead here has been transformed into an iconic piece of artwork by the addition of banners from Missouri painter Billyo O’Donnell. HERMANN A revitalized German community on the Missouri River, Hermann resides apart from time in a picture-book valley. Nineteenth-century red brick buildings hug the sidewalks, reminding one of Rhine Valley towns, with award-wining wineries captivating visitors from near and far. A wonderful mingling of old-world charm and modern luxury, the Inn at Hermannof offers grand accommodations, with country shops, galleries and cultural activities within walking distance. The McKittrick trailhead is about 2 miles north, and bikers can access Hermann via a protected Missouri River bridge bike lane, which dips under Highway 19 and emerges on the other side.

ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST The grand frame country church in Pinckney Township has stood on this spot, now along Highway 94 about 5 miles west of Treloar, since the late 1800s. It was moved from its original location on the Missouri River because the water’s meandering path was a constant threat. Today, the church hosts the Missouri State Sacred Harp Singing Convention annually, welcoming Shape-Note Singers from throughout the Midwest.

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St. Charles is Home to Great Trails, Great Entrepreneurs, and a Growing Innovation Sector You and your partner are taking a big leap into In fact, the Progressive Policy Institute recently the unknown, charting brand new territory and included St. Charles County on its list of 25 best leaving some serious disruption in your wake. Byline places for tech companies. Things will never be the same after you’re done—though before that happens you’ll come One big reason is OPO Startups and founder close to failure on more than one occasion, fight Randy Schilling’s vision of creating a thriving the urge to quit, and experience some lean times. technology sector and a culture of innovation right in the heart of historic Main Street. Literally, food will be scarce. Sometimes you’ll even have to eat squirrels. Schilling has a reason to believe he can make his ed quis dolut et offictum fuga. Et plaut occulpa vision a reality. A graduate of St. Charles High nulpa describes niaeped quaspie vel is esThat loosely the nihiciatur, journey quodi Meriwether School, he returned to St. Charles after finishing era net hicitemqui te dolessitiae. Ducid ma doloLewis and William Clark began when they his MBA to start what eventually became a resed que aliqui dolesedi si comnietur magnamet eostis launched their journey in St. Charles, Missouri, 500-person technology company, headquaralis sanis es adi ratibusam dolum reriberume quati dit in 1804. tered in the building next to OPO Startups. modit reiusame et audae nonsenis maio et, alitatem con-

Headline Small headline

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During its first two years of existence OPO Startups has housed 75 companies

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amount of Ramen has been consumed.)

While St. Charles is known for its historic Main Street and its location along the world-famous Katy Trail, the community is also a growing destination for entrepreneurs attracted to the high quality of life, low cost of living, nearby universities, a supportive business community, and the opportunity for outdoor recreation. 40

...and played host to more than 3,000 attendees at its entrepreneurship-focused educational sessions. After selling that company in 2010, Schilling founded another successful technology company, BoardPaq, and saw an opportunity to create a thriving startup community on Main Street. He

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purchased the town’s historic post office, located across the street from his BoardPaq offices. After two years and three million dollars’ worth of renovation, the old post office reopened its doors as OPO Startups in May of 2015. “We’re really proud of the number of companies in our community, but it isn’t just the raw numbers that are impressive,” Schilling said. “A lingerie manufacturer that began at OPO Startups made national news when Beyoncé wore their products on Instagram, one of our first members went from concept to funding to a successful exit in rapid succession, and another member serves as a columnist for CNBC and Inc., and was recognized as a ’Top Voice’ on LinkedIn.”

The combination of a beautiful Main Street, great hiking on the Katy Trail, and a thriving community of innovators makes St. Charles one of the best places in the country to become an entrepreneur. “I started my business as a one-man company working out of the office of a building on Main Street,” Schilling said. “St. Charles and the people of this community gave me a launching pad for my own career as an entrepreneur. We can do the same for a new wave of entrepreneurs, and in the process make St. Charles known for its great Main Street, its awesome hiking trails—and as a hub of innovation anchored by OPO Startups.”

“We aren’t the biggest co-working space in the region, but it seems like literally every couple of months one of our members is getting some sort of national recognition.”

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Request a tour: info@opostartups.com www.opostartups.com | 119 S. Main Street St. Charles, MO 63301

Exploring

Missouri RiverCountry

Learning more about this region of "beauty and bounty."

By: Karen Cernich

eople who live and work in the Missouri River Valley have described this part of the state as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Garden of Eden.â&#x20AC;? Visitors often agree. Along with providing beautiful vistas, the Missouri River and surrounding countryside have shaped the history of the region and the people who call it home. Opportunities to learn the relevance the Missouri River Valley has to the past, present and future of the St. Louis area are all around. We think you will enjoy the journey of discovery.

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MISSOURI RIVER COUNTRY TV

If you’d like to visually immerse yourself in the surroundings of the Missouri River Valley while you learn more about its unique history, watching a pair of Nine Network documentaries is a good place to start. “Heartland” features conservation experts from the Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve and The Nature Conservancy explaining what has made the land so fertile and diverse, a region of “beauty and bounty.” Missouri Botanical Garden President Peter Wyse Jackson, Ph.D., points out that there are around 3,000 plant species in the state of Missouri, compared to just 900 in all of Ireland, his homeland. Businessmen, farmers and artists also share how the rivers and land influence their work. Plein-air artist Billyo O’Donnell, who has traveled the world for his work, says, “There is some uniqueness here that I’ve not found anywhere else.” If “Heartland” explores why the Missouri River Valley is such “an important natural resource,” “Where the Rivers Run” focuses on its visual beauty. The hour-long documentary, which includes aerial footage filmed with drones, captures the best of the region’s hills, farms and

bluffs across each season. Inspired by the 25th anniversary of the Katy Trail, “Where the Rivers Run” pays tribute to how the trail has enabled people to see and experience the Missouri River Valley like never before. Segments vary from food and wine to prairie restoration to artists inspired by the landscape, and ecologist Quinn Long, Ph.D., of the Missouri Botanical Garden explains how the Missouri River Valley was formed through a series of repeated glaciations, with melting ice scouring the river channel and floodwaters wearing away the valleys to help form the prominent bluffs. Both films are available to view on www.ninenet.org.

GERMAN IMMIGRANTS WERE DRAWN HERE

planted more than 100 years ago are still producing fruit. The Deutschheim State Historic Site is open seven days a week between April and October, and Thursday through Sunday from November to March. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reservations are not necessary, but are recommended for large groups. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 18. More information is available at mostateparks.com/ park/deutschheim-state-historic-site.

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Missouri State Parks

The beauty of the Missouri River Valley is a large part of what drew German immigrants to settle here. The landscape reminded them of home. All along the Missouri River are towns that were settled by German immigrants in the 1800s — Marthasville, Dutzow, Washington, New Haven, Hermann. “The Missouri River Valley is the corridor where German immigration took place. It was the primary conduit of transportation,” said Cindy Browne, administrator of the Deutschheim State Historic Site in Hermann, where details of German immigration for the whole state are being preserved, including why they chose to settle here and what their experiences were like. “We can be a central point to start learning about the German heritage in Missouri,” said Browne. The site includes two historic residences that are open for tours: the 1840 Pommer-Gentner House, an example of the era’s high-class lifestyle, and the more modest 1842 Carl Strehly House, where the family operated a printing business for two German-language newspapers and established a house winery. Outside, grapevines

The Washington Historical Society Museum at Fourth and Market streets in downtown Washington also has information and exhibits devoted to the area’s German history; but one of its most popular exhibits, “The River Is Why We’re Here,” features the history of the Missouri River. Visitors can get a sense of how much the river has changed in the last century by studying a large map showing its course in the 1890s. Photos illustrate how the river was “tamed” over the years through the use of snag boats that pulled out floating debris and the building of dikes by the Army Corps of Engineers to slow the current near the shore and keep the river flowing near the main channel. There are panels devoted to the steamboats and ferryboats once used on this part of the Missouri River, as well as the major floods and the recreational uses of the river, both then and now. The Washington Historical Society is open Tuesday

AWARD-WINNING FOLK FICTION

For those who would like to see their children and grandchildren more connected to the natural world — and learn about Missouri history at the same time — local conservationists Dan and Connie Burkhardt have written Growing Up with the River, Nine Generations on the Missouri. The book is told from a child’s perspective about life in nine communities along the river, with each chapter set during a different era: 1806 in La Charette; 1832 in Femme Osage/ Dutzow; 1862 in Hermann; 1833 in New Haven; 1904 in Marthasville/ Peers/Treloar; 1932 in Washington; 1959 in St. Charles; 1986 in Augusta; and 2016 in Chesterfield. The final chapter is set in 2040, with a look ahead to the river valley of the future. Each chapter includes a discussion of the social, natural and cultural changes experienced by these river communities in each generation. An interesting epilogue is provided by Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning producer of Avatar and Titanic.

Karen Cernich

“THE RIVER IS WHY WE’RE HERE”

through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., March 1 through December 23. Admission is free. For more information, call 636-239-0280 or go to www.washmohistorical.org.

Landau compares the book’s storyline to that of Avatar. He writes, “I like to make movies that both entertain and inspire, and that’s the feeling I get from this book. We should share these stories with our children and open their eyes to the natural wonders of our world. Maybe it will inspire some of them to be a part of protecting these resources for future generations.” The book includes interactive components, like a log where children can “scout” the pages for various flora and fauna. There’s also a map with highlights of each community. All of these features and the colorful original paintings by artist Bryan Haynes led the Mom’s Choice Awards for family-friendly media, products and services to award their highest recognition to the book. Growing Up with the River is a 2016 Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Recipient. All proceeds from book sales go to the Katy Land Trust and Magnificent Missouri. To purchase a copy, go to www.katylandtrust.org.

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Teenagers with a love for nature and an interest in the river have a unique opportunity to spend five days exploring it this July with Missouri River Relief, a grassroots organization devoted to reconnecting people to the river. At the Missouri River Academy, 30 teens will spend their days collecting trash from the river, hearing from people who work on the river (such as a commercial fisherman), touring places like a sand plant and water treatment facility, and riding bikes along the river on the Katy Trail. Students stay overnight at Camp Trinity in New Haven, Mo. Last year, students came from rural and urban areas within Missouri River Relief â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coverage area: from Yankton, S.D., to St. Louis. Half of them had grown up on the river, and half had never been near it. The students enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds almost as much as learning about the river, said Kristen Schulte, Missouri River Relief education coordinator.

Missouri River Acadamey

TEEN SUMMER CAMP ON THE RIVER

For more information on the Missouri River Academy, go to www.riverrelief.org and click on River Education or call 573-443-0292. The application deadline is June 28.

Own a Piece of Katy Trail History Located between Washington, Warrenton and Hermann, the Treloar Mercantile & Bank Building has existed in the heart of Missouri Wine Country since the 1890s.

You can own this historic building adjacent to the Katy Trail for $117,000. Boonslick Regional Planning Commission

Contact Jim Edgar at 314-803-8882 for more information.

www.boonslick.org

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HERMANN JUNE 2017 EVENTS June 3 - June 4 Garden Tour & Flea Market Hermann Garden Tour The Hermann Garden Club’s 23rd annual garden tour will feature a walking tour of downtown gardens and a driving tour of country gardens. The event also includes a garden demonstration area at Deutschheim State Historic Site, garden-themed flea market and plant sale. Tour hours are 9:00 to 5:00 both days. Tickets ($10 for either the town or country tour or $15 for both) may be purchased at the German School parking lot the day of the event.

The Birthplace of Missouri Wine Country It is commonly believed that the Hermann area’s resemblance to the Rhine Valley prompted scouts from the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia to choose the site for a colony on the American frontier. Hermann has been voted “Missouri’s Most Beautiful Town” by Rural Missouri Magazine and named “Best Small-Town Destination” and “Best Day Trip from St. Louis” in AAA’s Best of the Midwest poll.

June 3 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Grapes to Glass at Stone Hill Winery A special VIP winery tour and tasting. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine from your take-home souvenir glass at check-in. A member of our staff will lead you on a behind-the-scenes visit to our Norton vineyard, cellars, tank building and press house. Reservations required. Purchase tickets online at stonehillwinery.com or call Victoria at 800-909-9463.

June 10 | 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm First Annual Hermann Motorcycle Rally Motorcycles riders and enthusiasts rally at the Hermann Amphitheater for an afternoon of live music and great food. Participating vendors include Stone Hill Winery, Adam Puchta Winery, Hermannhof Winery, Tin Mill Brewery, Copper Forge Distillery and the Hermann Wurst Haus. Sponsored by the City of Hermann and Bourbeuse Valley Harley-Davidson

June 17 | 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Rhythm & Brews Festival Tin Mill Brewery Tin Mill’s 11th annual Rhythm & Brews Festival will feature beers from more than 20 Midwest breweries, live music, food, and a great time. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate.

June 24 | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Wine Country Shrimp Boil at Stone Hill Winery Enjoy great food and live music at the Stone Hill Winery Sherry House. Shrimp boil starts at noon and ends when sold out. $15 per plate. Music starts at 1:00. No cover charge See the full Calendar of Events at visithermann.com/hermann-calendar-of-events/

Hermann Welcome Center, 150 Market Street, Hermann MO 65041 800-932-8687 • 573-486-2744 • hermann.tourism.director@gmail.com 46

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Ted Jones father of the

Katy Trail By: Carol Shepley

“D

oug, Doug,” said Ted Jones, grabbing his friend and colleague by the wrist. “Look at those bikes. What do you see?” Ted and Pat Jones were each given a bicycle when the Katy Trail was dedicated on April 28, 1990. Doug Hill, senior partner at Edward Jones Investment Company, had stopped to admire them. “A red bike and a blue bike,” said Doug. ‘”You’re not looking hard enough.” “What am I supposed to see?” “Look harder.” “I don’t know. What are they?” “The world’s two most expensive bicycles.” Thirty years ago, when Ted Jones made up his mind to give the State of Missouri a really good gift — a park 8 feet wide and 287 miles long — he spent $200,000 to purchase the abandoned KATY Railroad right of way. To reward his generosity, they hanged him in effigy and accused him of trying to profit off of bicycle shops. Getting the State to accept his gift “was the hardest work he ever did,” according to Ted’s 91-year-old wife, Pat. The prophet who imagined an abandoned railroad could become a state park was accustomed to having his visions met with ridicule. His own father laughed when he came up with the radical idea of putting stockbrokers in rural communities with one broker for one office. Today, largely as a result of Ted’s vision, Edward Jones has 12,000 offices in 50 states, the most branches of any brokerage firm in the country. “With the Katy Trail, Ted 100 percent wanted to do good for Missouri. He loved nature, and he loved the country,” said Pat. In fact, Ted and Pat lived on a farm for 47 of the 50 years of their marriage. Both had had fancy St. Louis upbringings, but they wanted a different kind of life in rural Missouri. Ted also wanted to bring people from the city out to

appreciate the country, and he wanted the little towns along the trail to succeed. Rural America was being decimated as manufacturing closed up. “Now towns along the trail have bed and breakfasts, wineries and places to eat,” said Dan Burkhardt, a retired Edward Jones partner who considers Ted a friend and mentor.

Ted Jones in the 1980s at home on his farm near Williamsburg, Mo.

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"We don't have any children, so we just adopted the state." Ted was right about the tourism boom for the towns along the trail. According to a 2012 economic impact study, 400,000 people enjoy the trail annually. Pat said, “Every time a bicycle wheel goes around, a quarter drops into the Missouri economy.” Those quarters add up to almost $18.5 million a year. And the State honors Ted in the Hall of Famous Missourians in the Capitol along with 45 others, including Mark Twain, General Omar Bradley and Walt Disney. The rails-to-trail concept first intrigued Ted when he visited an Edward Jones office in Baraboo, Wis., and enjoyed riding the bike path there. Soon after, in 1987, the KATY Railroad went bankrupt, giving Ted the opportunity to buy the railroad’s right of way in Missouri, which he intended as gift to the state. The farmers whose land bordered the trail objected. Until 1982, right of way reverted to the farmers who had sold it to the railroad in the first place. In that year, Congress enacted the National Trails System Act that allowed an interim use of a railroad right of way should the railroad cease to operate. Not only did the farmers

Then-Governor John Ashcroft with Ted and Pat Jones at the April 1990 dedication of the opening of the Katy Trail in Rocheport, Mo.

want their property back, but also they were unhappy about visitors riding by their homes and farms. Ted overcame the landowners’ and legislators’ objections. As Doug Hill tells it, after Ted bought the right of way, the lawmakers invited him to Jefferson City. They thanked him and said, “It is a great honor, a wonderful gesture, that you are willing to spend all that money to buy up the land, but we can’t take it because we don’t have the money to keep it up.” So, Ted went around the room and spoke to each individually, saying, “Charlie,” or Bill or Joe, “if you had the money, would you take the land?” Each one confidently said yes. “OK,” said Ted, “you have the money.” He promptly wrote a check for another $2 million to build bridges and gravel paths and to set up an endowment to maintain the trail. Fortunately, Ted also had a very powerful ally in Governor John Ashcroft, who had the political courage to stand up to some of his constituents because he believed the Katy Trail, the country’s longest rails-to-trail bike path, was in Missouri’s best interests. More than its great economic impact, the Katy Trail offers bikers and walkers paths through Missouri’s wine country, along the beautiful river bluffs almost to Kansas City. And it connects with 113 miles of St. Louis bike paths. Penny Pennington, a principal at Edward Jones, can attest to the trail’s beauty. The Katy Trail goes right past her backyard in St. Charles. Although she claims to be “just a fun cyclist,” she has ridden 590 miles over five days in the Tour de Ted, a bike event that raises money for cancer research in honor of Ted Jones, who died of cancer. Pennington described the views along the trail: “riding the bluff side of the trail, gorgeous views of great big bends in the [Missouri] River…tall rocks…tree lined…rich farm land…tiny little towns.” Pennington once asked Pat Jones how she felt about the trail. Pat replied, “If you love something, give it to other people, because they will love it longer than you are able.” Ted spent $2.2 million and four years of his life on the Katy Trail State Park. In an interview published by Backpacker magazine in 1996, he explained the reason he gave Missouri this great and lasting gift: “Money isn’t my goal. But when I have it, I want to spend it on things that are worthwhile.” And Pat added, “We don’t have any children, so we just adopted the state.”

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THE The perfect stop for your ride on the Katy Trail! on the

Katy

since 1896

Old-Time Music

snacks, drinks, gifts & air conditioning!

Open every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4PM 16011 Concord Hill Road, Marthasville 45 minutes from Chesterfield's Daniel Boone Bridge

100% of proceeds go to the conservation, education and preservation work of The Katy Land Trust and Magnificent Missouri

mention â&#x20AC;&#x153;ACROSS STLâ&#x20AC;? for a free gift! VOLUME 1

Hermann Farm and Museum contactus@hermannfarm.com â&#x20AC;˘ HermannFarm.com 526 E. First Street, Hermann, Missouri 65041

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Giant Shires are prancing! Tour and taste at Hermann Farm, G Husmann Winery, Hermannhof Winery, SUBHEAD Dierberg Starautas Lane Vineyards, and Tin Mill Brewery. Voloria voluptate cuptaep ereratem eosam sinihillupta sendebitae. verspel es magnima gni-and enjoy our Tin Mill Restaurant! Stay atItam, the to Inn at Hermannhof hitatur mint est, earibus et quam re nos acepell uptate ipicaecusa volupta porum intias aut fugiam, sent latemolenis doluptaecust di aut videlest harum et quiam liquiae es dolupta ssitia quae vero tem exerum quissun tiunt.

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