Head to the Arch for the Biggest Community Picnic You've Ever Seen

Nothing says Americana like an old-fashioned picnic in the town square. Where neighbors talk a little baseball, pass around the hot dogs and apple pie, and welcome in the summer with a little good-natured fun.

But thanks to some dedicated civic organizations, your family will never look at a town picnic the same way again. To celebrate the reopening of one of the premier gathering spots in the nation, Great Rivers Greenway, the City of St. Louis and CityArchRiver Foundation are bringing all of our neighbors across the Metro area together for “Picnic on the Riverfront” – the city’s largest-ever community picnic, held on the new riverfront beneath the Gateway Arch.

During the event on Thursday, June 2, picnickers can experience the first stage of the Arch ground’s historic transformation project, which will make it easier and safer to access and visit the landmark, its museum and its attractions.

Said Seth Treptow, communications manager for Great Rivers Greenway, “We’re excited for everyone to check out the reopening of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard. The riverfront was elevated by three feet to reduce flooding and give St. Louis more of its event year back. It’s a dynamic and vibrant event space – and it’s more inviting and engaging for concerts, special events or just a walk along the river.”

In addition, the renovation includes new biking and pedestrian paths separate from the roadway, all-new lighting, and new amenities, such as benches, power outlets and a street-level stage – all while preserving the area’s historic elements. The majority of the landscaping will be finished in the fall, with the rest of the renovation project to be completed in 2017.

“This is just one portion of the larger overall project,” said Treptow. “But right away you’ll see the end result is going to be a great addition to our city and an incredible enhancement that will make St. Louis an even more vibrant place to live, play and work.”

“Picnic on the Riverfront” features a variety of family-friendly events after the public grounds ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m., including an interfaith blessing, music from pianist Ethan Leinwand as well as Good 4 the Soul, kids’ educational activities, and a fireworks display at 8:30. Bring your own picnic basket or build your meal from a number of St. Louis’s favorite food trucks before taking a walk or bike trip around the new grounds.

Saving a seat at the table for thousands of excited residents, ready to check out the new digs, is a big job requiring a big table. For the Picnic, a 2,016-foot-long table will be rolled out onto the Arch grounds, letting you take in the new sites from your seat while meeting hundreds of your fellow St. Louis neighbors. During the event, an aerial photo will snap a photo of all the picnickers to commemorate this special event.

According to Treptow, “Picnic on the Riverfront” is your chance to experience the crown jewel of the St. Louis community and at the same time, to celebrate the rebirth of a region that has faced its share of turmoil over the past few years.

“Families will have a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the key feature of our city – and with each other – in a spiritual and cultural way,” explained Treptow. “It’s the perfect way to explain the roots of the city to our kids and instill in them pride in their community, which will help create stewards for the riverfront in the future.”

In addition to “Picnic on the Riverfront” the Arch grounds will host a variety of special events throughout the summer, including the St. Louis Brewer’s Guild’s Heritage Festival, a free concert series with The Sheldon, and community swap meets.

To learn more about the Gateway Arch project, Picnic on the Riverfront and other exciting events this summer, visit www.cityarchriver.org/visit/riverfront.

_{Photo courtesy of City Arch River.}