Parks and Historic Sites

The Cover of the April 11 Print Edition

Photos: Fifty Years After Gateway Arch Construction Began, A Look Back At Its Creation

On February 12, 1963, construction began on the Gateway Arch, launching the two-and-a-half year, $13 million build-out of the tallest national monument in the country. In honor of the anniversary this week, we've assembled historic photos below.

Unimpressive Poll by 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Names Arch "Least Impressive" Landmark

Last July, when the folks at CBS News and Vanity Fair called about 1000 adults to get their views on fluffy topics like underwear and Jesus, a plurality -- 46 percent! -- said the Gateway Arch was the "least impressive" landmark.  Let's put that another way: A miniscule proportion of our nation ... More >>

Self-Sufficient St. Louis to Hold Fundraiser for Dave Hagerty Community Garden on Sunday

​Self-Sufficient St. Louis is holding a fundraiser event on Sunday for the Dave Hagerty Community Garden. Sunday's fundraiser will be at Off Broadway, which neighbors the Garden. Admission is a $10 donation and will feature performances by Ellen the Felon and the Mattranome, The Airliners, Syn ... More >>

The Civil War by Boat

Chinese Lantern Festival to Light Up Missouri Botanical Garden in 2012

courtesy of the Missouri Botanical GardenGlorious Chinese lanterns are coming to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a three-month festival in the summer of 2012.​ The first hint that there was something big coming from the Missouri Botanical Garden came with the cute but cunning guerilla press ... More >>

Insult to Injury? Missouri Offers Flood Victims Free Campsites

Meet your new neighbor!​Are you one of the unlucky souls who lost their home in the recent flooding? The State of Missouri is really sorry about that. In fact, they'd like to do something for you. They'd like to give you a temporary new home! A place that real-estate agents might generously descri ... More >>

Get Energized for National Park Contest

​We're pretty certain that there will never be a reality show on national parks that rises to the level of American Idol or Dancing With the Stars, but we thought you should know that you still have the chance to vote for the St. Louis Arch Grounds as one of the best parks in the country. If w ... More >>

Tremendous Tales

The Civil War by Boat

It's Like Facebook For Plants!

Who you callin' moth orchid? That's phalaenopsis to you, buddy.​There are a lot of plants out there. A lot. Some of them eat bugs. Some of them smell bad. And all of them (well, as close to all of them as can be expected) are on The Plant List, a collaborative effort between the Missouri Botanical ... More >>

Got Wood? St. Louis Forestry Department Does and They Want to Share It

Because we couldn't find an image of Francis Slay holding firewood. ​That's right. Beginning  today -- and lasting until supplies run out -- the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry is offering free wood to city residents. The stash comes from tree removal at city parks and ... More >>

Look Up!

Arch Designs to Be Unveiled Tomorrow

At 9 a.m. tomorrow, the National Park Service will unveil proposals from the five finalists vying to redesign the grounds surrounding St. Louis' Gateway Arch. Mayor Francis Slay will make an appearance, as well as the park's superintendent and the manager of the competition.​It should be quite the ... More >>

A New Arch for a New St. Louis: Let's not just redesign the grounds around the Gateway Arch. Let's go for the whole enchilada!

E. Coli Closes Six Missouri Beaches This Weekend

Photo: Jennifer Silverberg​The Missouri Department of Natural Resources yesterday announced that six beaches within state parks are too polluted for swimming this weekend. Beaches at Mark Twain, Wakonda, Crowder, Cuivre River, St. Joe, and Thousand Hills state parks all tested for dangerously hig ... More >>

No Spelunking for You! Missouri Caves Closed Due to Bat Fungus

White Nose Syndrome in humans usually involves massive amounts of cocaine, rendering its victims bat-shit crazy.​The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced yesterday that it is temporarily closing most of the state's 175 caves found in public parks and historic sites. The closure comes ... More >>

Changing of the Guard at Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical GardenAdieu, Dr. Raven.​Dr. Peter Raven, the director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, announced today that he is retiring. The garden's board of directors has hired Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, in Dublin, to take the reins. Raven ... More >>

Costa Rica Suave

The Garden Inside the Garden

How Green Was My Soulard?

Park in Overdrive

Wings Flap, Toes Tap

Looking for a Cheap High This Weekend?

flickr.com/photos/lauroThen head downtown to the Gateway Arch. The National Park Service is offering adults a $3 discount off its tram rides to the top of the 630-foot tall structure. The park service is also offering additional discounts on its riverboat cruises, movies and other entertainment at t ... More >>

But How Do You Wind It?

China's Finest

Lake of the Ozarks' Family-Friendly Party Cove

Photo by Jennifer SilverbergBoobs for beads. Just another "family-friendly" activity at Party Cove.Last week, Daily RFT received a curious press release from the Lake of the Ozarks' Convention and Vistors Bureau. The notice -- encouraging travelers to visit the lake's Ha Ha Tonka and Lake of the Oza ... More >>

Photos: Pillow Fights Around the Country

If you forgot to mark it on your calendar, Saturday was World Pillow Fight Day. St. Louis had its own version, under the Gateway Arch. About 80 kids -- most seemed to be of high school age --  showed up around 2 p.m. and let the smacking commenced. National park rangers asked them to tone it do ... More >>

Re-Making of the Arch Grounds - Time to Weigh-In is Now

Got a heads up late yesterday from Tom Bradley, superintendent of the Arch grounds here in St. Louis, that there are only six more days for the public to weigh-in on the National Park Service's proposed changes to the land surrounding the Arch.To view the four potential master plans for the site, cl ... More >>

Water, Water Everywhere

But not for as long as you may think

Herb Your Enthusiasm

Helpful plants, educational talk

St. Louis Arch Grounds Remain In Limbo

So now maybe there won't be a big American migration museum on the Arch grounds. On the heels of my story last week about the St. Louis Arch grounds, and specifically the fact that Congressman William ''Lacy'' Clay had introduced a bill in Congress which would transfer control of parts of the gro ... More >>

Shaky Grounds: Congress may consider putting the Arch's riverfront park in private hands

Who Built This City?

Maplewood is older than you think

Mr. Ed-sident

A little presidential horseplay

Nocturnal Emulsions

Bird's the Word

R 'n' R with a Li'l RR

Mirth Days

Garden of the Gods

Night Moves

Garden of Good and Evil

Criticism sprouts over the new attraction for kids at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Will on Art Hill

The Shakespeare Festival turns five

Lewis & Clark and Park

Your passport to adventure

Camping in a Winter Wonderland

The poetry of long undies

Best Bus Route

Garden Express

Best Place to Hike

Castlewood State Park

Best Tourist Attraction

Missouri Botanical Garden

Best Hike

Bell Mountain Wilderness Area

Best Underground Railroad Site

Tracks Still Under Construction