Project Updates: Constructing the Glade

Check this page for progress on the reconstruction of Steinberg Rink and the Glade, a 20-month construction project that will reimagine this 22.5-acre site from the Taylor Kindle River to Kingshighway.

The Glade is made possible by Forest Park Forever donors who are making gifts for this capital project and its vision for welcoming, all-season activity in eastern Forest Park.

Signage is posted at several points to indicate trail closures or detours. For the safety of all, do not travel into the construction zone. 

Recreation Path Detour during Construction

Pedestrian/cyclist path detour in effect Nov. 3 through the end of construction. On Sunday, Nov. 2, workers will extend the Glade construction site’s fencing beyond the Taylor Kindle River to Faulkner Drive (shown in red on the map below). The gravel and asphalt paths south of Klein Prairie will be closed—with detour signs to Faulkner Drive in place—from Nov. 3, 2025, through the end of construction in Nov. 2026.

Pedestrians and cyclists should follow detour signs to access the temporary pedestrian/cyclist-only lane on Faulkner Drive (shown in yellow on the map below). The 10-foot wide lane will allow for two-way pedestrian traffic and be defined and protected by delineators.

Where will the dual path go after the Glade opens?

To make room for the new community lawn and dual recreational path users, the paths will be routed across the Taylor Kindle River and follow along the river’s west side between Klein Prairie and Jefferson Lake. The winter rendering below shows the route of the parallel paved and gravel paths (on the left side of the image) once construction is complete.

Follow along as the project advances with construction highlights below.

Map showing the Glade construction site and pedestrian path closures and detours
Winter rendering of the Glade

Construction Highlights

August 2025 images below show the large cooler unit, the Glade hillside near Kingshighway and restoration work on Steinberg’s existing concrete walls.

  • Summer was all about laying the foundations for the many amenities in this space:

    • The site's geothermal system won a 2025 Technology Award from the St. Louis Chapter of ASHRAE. Our conservancy will rely on this new system to recapture heat and reduce environmental impact season after season.

    • Our experts are working with local furniture maker Mwanzi Co. to repurpose trees into tables and other furniture at the Glade.

    • Excavation and forming for the vault that will power the splash pad and cascade;

    • Drilling deep into the earth for the geo-thermal wells;

    • Pouring concrete for the hillside chiller unit and for the grade beams under the building.

  • NOTE: Fortunately, the Glade construction area was not impacted by the May 16 tornado that damaged other areas in the Park)

    • Demolition and removal of parking lot pavement in prep for geothermal well field installation

    • Demolition of old rink material and excavation of subgrade for new rink

    • Installation of micro-piers in the building floor area and footings for the rink-side shade structure

    • Preparation of hillside for chiller unit concrete pad

    • Excavation of the hillside to the east of the Steinberg building

    • Continued removal and crating of the limestone veneer, which will be refurbished and reinstalled

    • Beginning of demolition of the roof slab and demolition of the east wall and ceiling of the building

    • Closing the site to the public and installing construction fencing

    • Toppling the large masts that supported the stadium-style lights on the west side of the rink

    • Demolition inside the building

    • Removal of pavement and relocation and storage of the Zamboni ice resurfacing vehicle

    • Pruning and/or removal of trees that are not part of the finished project. (Overall, 150 new trees will be added during the project.)

    • Decommissioning of the building and rink, including removal of salvage items from the building and removing refrigerant from the existing ice refrigeration system

    • Removal and preservation of Steinberg Rink lettering and limestone veneer from the building and site walls

Progressive Image gallery

July-August 2025 images above highlight the deep-earth drill for geo-thermal wells, and pouring concrete for the hillside chiller unit and for the beams under the building.

Spring 2025 images above highlight the demolition and removal of parking lot pavement and old rink material, and excavation of subgrade for new ice rink.

Early spring 2025 images above highlight the removal and crating of the limestone veneer, excavation of the hillside to the east of the Steinberg building

Project Renderings