Forest Park Forever and City of St. Louis leaders celebrated the groundbreaking in spring 2025 with early lead donors.

Six months since construction began, the key pieces for Forest Park’s next great destination are beginning to rise from the ground.

A new chiller unit — which will help manage the state-of-the-art ice system — arrived on the hillside next to Kingshighway in August.

The Glade, an all-season vision for Steinberg Rink and its surrounding 22.5 acres in eastern Forest Park, is on schedule for opening in late 2026. While the first several months of construction were spent on mostly underground work like hillside excavation, utilities relocation and foundation pouring, today passersby can also see the glimpses of what will make the Glade an active, attractive place to be in every season:

The footings for the Glade’s western shade structure – key to making the site inviting even during St. Louis’ hottest months – are in place.
The piping and chiller to manage a new state-of-the-art Steinberg Rink ice system have arrived.
Excavation for the future interactive water play area and cascades has begun, as has excavation for the accessible hillside path from Kingshighway.
Wells for the site’s award-winning geothermal system are being drilled hundreds of feet underground.
Structural steel and decks for the new rooftop terrace and restaurant will be raised soon, previewing the rooftop dining and community gathering spaces that will one day offer views of the rink and eastern Forest Park.

A ceremonial groundbreaking with early donors and Forest Park Forever and City of St. Louis leaders took place on May 14, just two days before a tornado devastated parts of Forest Park and nearby St. Louis neighborhoods. Fortunately, the Glade construction site was mostly untouched by that storm, and the project continues uninterrupted.

“This is a rare opportunity for St. Louis, a chance to redevelop 22.5 acres in the heart of our region, next to its largest employer and most densely populated neighborhoods, and do it in a way that incorporates greenspace, tradition, and amenities that will make it truly accessible and welcoming for all,” said John Kemper, chair of the Forest Park Forever Board of Directors.

Above are renderings of the accessible hillside entrance from Kingshighway, and the restored facade with rooftop restaurant.

Fundraising for the project continues through the $100 million Imagine the Glade campaign.

“This is a generational opportunity for St. Louis,” said President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth. “We’ve already seen a strong spirit of support and look forward to announcing more partners in our journey to bring life to this historic space in Forest Park.”

The project’s major early donors include:

Individuals

David N. & Lelia J. Farr
Fred & June Kummer
Ms. Penny Pennington & Mr. Michael Fidler
Mr. & Mrs. Donald L. Ross
The Rick & Carol Short Family
Barbara & Andy Taylor
The Weil Family (Anabeth and John, Richard and Josephine, and Daniel)

The Glade is bordered by the recently extended Taylor Kindle River, which now connects to Jefferson Lake in eastern Forest Park.

Institutions

BJC Health System
Centene Foundation
The Clever Little Girl Foundation
The Crawford Taylor Foundation
Emerson
Taylor Family Foundation
Washington University in St. Louis
William T. Kemper Foundation
William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation

While construction and fundraising continues, behind the scenes Forest Park Forever is laying the groundwork for programming, events and community offerings that will transform the site from an ice rink active just three months out of the year to a place that is fun and inviting year-round.

Features of the Glade

Early in demolition, the old light standards around the nearly 68-year-old Steinberg Rink were brought down.

The Glade encompasses 22.5 acres, east to west from Kingshighway to the recently extended Taylor Kindle River, and north to south from Klein Prairie to the recently improved Jefferson Lake. The design includes indoor and outdoor spaces, active and passive recreation, permanent structures and green landscapesin a way that invites visitors to enjoy Forest Park’s unique blend of nature and built environment for relaxation and fun.

Upgraded features include a reconstructed ice rink and the systems that create and maintain the ice, improved skating access, event and party spaces and ground floor café.

Completely new amenities include rooftop restaurant and passive spaces overlooking the Park; a second-floor “community living room” indoor public gathering space; ADA-accessible entry from Kingshighway; a first-floor bar; a flexible rink to host programming and events outside of ice skating season; an accessible water cascade, splash pad and fountains, shade structures and gathering spaces to offer cooling during the warmest seasons; and an expansive community lawn for activity between the rink and the recently extended Taylor Kindle River.

Learn more at forestparkforever.org/theglade

See construction updates at forestparkforever.org/glade-construction