Rendering courtesy of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architecture
As visitors descend on St. Louis, they might be underwhelmed by that space once christened Ballpark Village. Fortunately, St. Louis soon will be able to boast another draw: Citygarden. Slated to open July 1 between Eighth and 10th streets, Market and Chestnut, is a 2.9-acre attraction two years in the making. The $25 million-plus park—with land owned by the city and sculptures owned by private nonprofit Gateway Foundation—will boast an impressive list of features.
1) More Multimedia
A state-of-the-art video wall will display art and flicks. Local notables like Jenna Fischer and Ozzie Smith contribute to a special audio tour.
2) Art Extravaganza
Twenty-four sculptures by renowned artists will help spruce up the space. The pieces range from the expressive, such as Mimmo Paladino’s Zenit (a sculpture of a horse and star), to the serious, such as Igor Mitoraj’s Eros Bendato (a giant bronze head lying on its side).
3) Kicks for Kids
Tykes can frolic through a spray plaza with 102 nozzles that shoot streams of water into the air in changing patterns, illuminated by custom lights. They can also admire kid-friendly sculptures such as Two Rabbits and Bird, or roll down a hill near 10th and Chestnut.
4) Flora Galora
Intricate landscaping will give the city space a splash of color. Rain gardens and green roofs on a nearby café and maintenance building will absorb water runoff. The overall impression? An attraction that rings true to its name.
