Engaging the wider community, including and extending far beyond the St. Louis region, has been and will continue to be important to this process.
Throughout the review leading to the new General Management Plan, the National Park Service invited the public to weigh in – an opportunity that more than 2,000 people took. Open houses and public meetings drew significant participation and lively discussion. Many others wrote letters and email messages expressing their views. National park advocates and regional interests from both sides of the Mississippi River were central to the planning of the competition.
Building on that process, the actual design competition will have input from technical advisors representing many points of view – from business and community leaders, to open space advocates, national organizations, foundations, designers, educators, and many others.
As the competition progresses, the public will be invited to meet the designers and listen to their ideas, see the designs that have been submitted, share impressions, and be part of this historic effort. Watch for public notices and opportunities to share stories, ideas and other contributions.