Great Rivers Greenway Unveils Forest Park Connector Plan

The project creates a new transit link between the Cortex MetroLink station and Forest Park.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete transit pathway curving through a green urban corridor, designed to link city transit stations.
Great Rivers Greenway has unveiled the design for the $6 million Forest Park Connector, a transit path linking Cortex MetroLink station to Forest Park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Great Rivers Greenway recently presented its design for the $6 million Forest Park Connector. The initiative aims to provide safe transit access for pedestrians and cyclists traveling between the Cortex MetroLink station and Forest Park.

Why it matters

This connector serves as a critical link for residents who do not own vehicles, improving accessibility to major city destinations like the Gateway Arch. It represents a significant step in developing the broader $245 million Brickline Greenway network.

The Forest Park Connector project is estimated to cost $6 million as part of a $245 million total investment for the Brickline Greenway. The full network currently has 1.25 miles completed, 1.3 miles under construction, and 14 neighborhoods included.

The players

Great Rivers Greenway

This is a public agency responsible for developing and maintaining a network of greenways across the St. Louis region.

BJC

This is a major nonprofit healthcare organization that serves as a collaborative partner on regional infrastructure projects.

Washington University Medicine

This academic medical center is providing institutional support for the development of the city's greenway connectivity.

The details

The design features a new rest area and significant modifications to the intersection located near the MetroLink station. These updates focus on creating dedicated pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users to navigate the area.

Timeline

  1. October 29, 2026: Design presented to the public

  2. 2028: Construction of the Forest Park Connector

  3. 2030: Target date for full Brickline Greenway completion

Market Landscape

The Forest Park Connector serves as a vital segment within the Brickline Greenway project, establishing a pattern of urban connectivity seen in major transit-oriented development hubs. This investment strengthens the infrastructure linking residential districts to primary city business and park sectors.

Commuters and residents will eventually have safer, vehicle-free access to major hubs like Forest Park and the Cortex station. This project will directly enhance daily travel options for those relying on public transit or active transportation methods in St. Louis.

The takeaway

Urban development projects like this connector highlight the growing emphasis on non-vehicular transit integration within major cities. Residents can look forward to increased mobility options once the planned network reaches full completion in 2030.

What happens next

Construction of the Forest Park Connector is scheduled to begin in 2028.

Further reading

Learn more about local infrastructure initiatives on our Remote Work page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.

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Do you support prioritizing dedicated cycling and walking paths over traditional road infrastructure in your area?