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Parks and Recreation commission outlines $7 million system plan; Yale Park to get splash pad with $400,000 grant
Summary
Parks and Recreation Commission chair Lainie Schenkelberg told the City Council Aug. 12 that Maplewood is pursuing roughly $7 million in planned park renovations, that Yale Park will receive about $400,000 in county municipal grant funding and that Central Park’s renovation was completed and unveiled in November 2025.
Maplewood, Mo. — Lainie Schenkelberg, chair of the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commission, briefed the City Council on Aug. 12 about progress on a system-wide, equity-based parks master plan that the commission developed using National Recreation and Park Association standards.
Schenkelberg told the council Maplewood has 10 developed parks and one undeveloped parcel and said the city “has the most parks per capita of any municipality in Saint Louis County” and strong walkability from residential areas, points she used to frame maintenance and sustainability priorities. She said Central Park renovations were completed and unveiled in November 2025 and that the commission is targeting spring 2026 completion for Yale Park’s renovations.
The commission estimates the total cost to implement planned renovations across the park system at about $7,000,000, the chair said. A county municipal grant will fund a portion of the Yale Park work; Schenkelberg said the city is expected to receive roughly $400,000 in grant funds for Yale Park and anticipates breaking ground at the end of the year, with an unveiling in 2026. Yale Park’s planned improvements include a splash pad, renovated playground equipment, accessible pathways, more shade and upgraded gathering spaces.
Schenkelberg described Central Park’s renovation process, noting community engagement methods used by the commission: posted signs soliciting feedback, public meetings, and proactive outreach to park visitors. Feedback indicated playground equipment was “end of life” and that residents wanted to retain green space. The commission worked with consultant SWT on design and community engagement.
The commission also presented the “park passport” program, now in its third year, designed to encourage residents to visit multiple Maplewood parks. Passport events run monthly; the next event is a “dive-in” movie at the Maplewood Family Aquatic Center on Saturday, Aug. 16, hosted by Maplewood firefighters and featuring Moana 2. The passport program offers prizes for participants who collect multiple stamps, including family passes and other local prizes.
Council members asked about landscaping and tree plantings during park renovations. Schenkelberg said the commission considers the “holistic experience” of parks — accessibility, equity, sustainability — and that specific planting plans and native-plant recommendations are developed during a project’s detailed design phase in coordination with the sustainability commission and SWT.
No formal council action was required; council members thanked the commission for grant work and encouraged continued coordination with public works and other departments as projects move forward.
