Connecting Communities: PDS Guide to Saint Louis Greenways

Planning Design Studio (PDS) has had the privilege of contributing to several greenway projects over the years, each designed to enhance communities by expanding access to safe transportation, recreation, and natural spaces. Greenways play a vital role in connecting people with the outdoors, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and supporting economic and cultural growth within neighborhoods. Two notable examples, envisioned by Great Rivers Greenway and partially designed by our team with the help of project partners, include the Deer Creek Greenway Connector and Chain of Rocks Park.

The Deer Creek Greenway Connector, completed as the final phase of the Brentwood Bound Initiative, represents a major step forward in making the greenway network safer and more accessible for everyone. The construction of a pedestrian and bicycle tunnel beneath Manchester Road eliminates a hazardous crossing point, ensuring that users can travel between neighborhoods with ease and security. At the heart of the project, Brentwood Park now serves as a welcoming trailhead linking two significant greenways that weave through Brentwood and Webster Groves. With amenities like restrooms and a comfort station, the park provides a comfortable, functional space for families, commuters, and recreational users alike. This connector not only offers a safe, car-free alternative to vehicular travel but also promotes active lifestyles, strengthens neighborhood connections, and creates a new gathering space that fosters community pride.

Equally impactful, the Chain of Rocks Park project showcases how design can honor history while serving modern community needs. At its core is the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge, once a roadway crossing over the Mississippi River, now repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle connection linking Alton, Illinois, to North St. Louis City. This transformation preserves a cultural landmark while giving it new life as part of the regional greenway system. The addition of a trailhead, comfort station, and restroom facilities ensures that the site is both functional and inviting, while ongoing improvements continue to enhance the visitor experience. By turning an underutilized space into a regional destination, the park contributes to tourism and expands access to the Mississippi River. Most importantly, it provides a landmark where history, culture, and recreation intersect, creating a community resource that will benefit generations to come.

Together, projects like the Deer Creek Greenway Connector and Chain of Rocks Park demonstrate how greenways are more than just trails—they are community assets that support health, safety, sustainability, and cultural identity, enriching the lives of those who live, work, and play nearby.

We encourage everyone to experience these greenways firsthand! To explore a complete list of greenways and their locations, visit the Great Rivers Greenway website for more information.