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The College Hill neighborhood originated as a 300-acre Saint Louis University farmstead, which was purchased and partitioned to parcels in 1836. The elevated location affords many neighbors views of the Mississippi River, as well as two historic landmark water towers.
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Starting in 2017, neighbors and several stakeholders have been utilizing new and existing knowledge to find ways to improve the health, well-being, and overall landscape of their community. This collaboration has allowed for discussion around which disparities affect residents in College Hill the most — vacant lots. As the only neighborhood in St. Louis to not have a park, it was decided to redevelop and repurpose unoccupied land in the community near the Grand Avenue Water Tower. The hope is to revive a neighborhood park that offers a vibrant and beautiful place for the entire community to gather for events, entertainment, and recreation, appropriately named Peace Park. With the help of design students from Harvard University, a vision and plan for the park’s best use are being finalized. With the hope of having sculptures, a pavilion for events, area for outdoor games, and a community garden, neighbors believe this inviting space will work on the issue of vacancy as well as help bridge division that exists within the community. Read more about Peace Park HERE. |
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IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS Health Equity Works // Grace Hill Settlement House // The Nature Conservancy // McCarthy Building Companies // Washington University in St. Louis // Missouri Department of Conservation // GCC Land Management // St. Louis Development Corporation // Land Reutilization Authority // Jubilee Services // Harvard University // College Hill Neighbors FUNDING PARTNERS The Nature Conservancy // Donations // Missouri Department of Conservation OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE Jubilee Services // GCC Land Management |
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In October and November 2019, more than twenty residents and friends of the College Hill neighborhood gathered to identify assets, challenges, and opportunities related to neighborhood vacancy, and create a new vision for a community green space. During these workshops, residents identified Prairie Square -- a block bounded by East Prairie Ave, Blair Ave, DeSoto Ave, and I-70 -- as an area that presents both challenges and opportunity. Prairie Square is thoroughfare for residential, commercial, and public transportation systems, which service adjacent neighborhoods. This seven acre site sits on a hollow hill embedded with cavern geology, which led to engineering issues. By the late 2010s, most of the area was vacant. Due to these factors, residents selected this area to reimagine and transform into a community asset, while at the same time, respecting its unique geology. |
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IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS GCC Land Management // Missouri Department of Conservation // Streets Department // Forestry Division // Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District // Emerging Wisdom // St. Louis Development Corporation // Land Reutilization Authority // DJM Ecological Services // Neighborhood Stabilization Office // English Cave Society // College Hill Neighbors FUNDING PARTNERS Missouri Department of Conservation // Urban Greening Program // Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE Forestry Division // GCC Land Management |
GREEN CITY COALITION
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