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Creve Coeur outlines $3.1 million Venable Park renovation and $300,000 memorial artwork plan
Summary
City staff presented a $3.1 million Venable Park renovation including expanded accessible parking, an ADA path, new plaza and a $300,000 memorial artwork funded partly by philanthropy; council discussed materials, security and timeline for an October opening and provided feedback.
City recreation staff previewed the final plan for Venable Park's renovation and a memorial artwork, describing landscaping, an expanded parking layout, an ADA-accessible path and a central plaza to display the memorial.
Jason Valvero, the city's director of recreation, said the overall park renovation budget is about $3.1 million, with $2.8 million expected from the Parks and Stormwater Fund and $300,000 provided by a foundation gift toward the park master plan. The memorial artwork has a separate estimated cost of $300,000; Valvero said a mix of grants, foundation funds and private donations are expected to cover that expense.
Key design elements Valvero described: leveling and reconfiguring the lower parking lot (staff estimated increasing spots from about 44 to 56), an ADA-compliant switchback path to connect the park, a new plaza at the former gazebo site to host the artwork, a larger octagonal pavilion, added playground equipment for younger children, bioretention features and careful siting of trees so they don't obscure the artwork. The memorial includes two halves of a sculptural piece and a flush 50-inch design disc; staff said the artists and a conservator reviewed materials for durability and maintenance concerns.
Council members asked about lighting (Kelvin ratings and bird/migration impacts), security cameras and maintenance. Staff said parking-lot and feature lighting will be limited (the park closes at dark) and that embedded security lighting and cameras will focus on the artwork and restrooms. Valvero said conservator recommendations led to design adjustments and that the team aims for construction bids and a possible October reopening timeline, pending contract approvals and procurement.
Valvero described fundraising and revenue sources: primary funding from the Parks and Stormwater Fund and a $300,000 foundation donation toward the park plan; the memorial artwork budget includes philanthropic commitments and private donations. The council offered feedback on signage, shade, bench placement and construction logistics. No formal council action was required at the meeting; staff sought feedback on final bid documents and materials.
