Newly Minted St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park Reviewed

The recently revitalized and designated as a National Park St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park is described by park planner Clement Lau.

1 minute read

July 23, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


Gateway Arch National Park

Eblis / Shutterstock

On July 3, 2018, the 91 acre St. Louis Gateway Arch Park was dedicated as a National Park. It had been a National Memorial since 1935. Leading up to the designation, the park underwent a $380 million renovation, which included a freeway cap park over the I-44. The park also includes the 631 tall Gateway Arch (including a tram to a viewing room at the top), a museum and gift shop covering the westward expansion;,the old courthouse (where the Dred Scott trials took place), and surrounding park open space along the Mississippi River. Clement Lau, a California domiciled park planner, toured the park and notes:

The park is historically significant and was created to commemorate: the Louisiana Purchase, and the subsequent westward movement of American explorers and pioneers; the first civil government west of the Mississippi River; and the debate over slavery raised by theDred Scott case.

More detail about the newly renovated park, along with photos, can be found in the source article by Lau.

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