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How a new greenway could be the answer to uniting St. Louis

A map shows their ambitious plan to have walking and biking trails stretch from Fairgrounds Park in the north, Forest Park in the west, Tower Grove Park to the south and the Gateway Arch to the east.

ST. LOUIS —

Could the path to a more united St. Louis, be literally that? A path?

A local non-profit sure thinks so, and they've unveiled an ambitious plan to do so.

On any given day, you might find Amelia Jones on her bike.

"I use the park as a way to commute by bike," said Jones.

Sunday was not one of those days.

"Not when it’s not 10 degrees," she said.

Even on one of our coldest days of the year, Amelia and her friend find their feet on the pavement and wish they could do it, more often.

"It would be nice if it felt more unified," Jones said.

The first stretch of the Chouteau Greenway in the heart of the Cortex gives us a glimpse of what could be if Great Rivers Greenway gets their way.

A map shows their ambitious plan to have walking and biking trails stretch from Fairgrounds Park in the north, Forest Park in the west, Tower Grove Park to the south and the Gateway Arch to the east.

"I feel like there has been a lot of progress like east to west, but north to south, that’s what I’d like to see," Jones said.

In order to turn this dream into a reality, it will come at a cost.

St. Louis voters did approve a sales tax back in 2000 that partially funds the Great Rivers Greenway organization, but millions more in public and private funds will be needed.

Amelia thinks it's worth the investment so that she and others can eventually enjoy it on any given day.

"I mean I’d love to get to this part of town close to the riverfront," she said.

The Great Rivers Greenway organization is holding an informational meeting about the project next Tuesday.

The open house program will take place at Local 36 Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall from 4-8 pm, featuring presentations, an expo with St. Louis area organizations and an invitation for feedback. Click here for more details.

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