VIDEO: $22M Recreation Center Coming to O’Fallon Park
Saturday, April 25, 2009
O’Fallon Park is the second largest park in the City of St. Louis and very soon it will be home to one of the finest recreation centers in the entire region. The $22 million O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex is scheduled to open in fall of 2010. Here is a short video Alderman Antonio French produced to inform our community about this exciting new project.
Mr. French,
Again, congratulations. Now for the important issues. HOUSING and commercial development in the 21st Ward. I think the recreation center is great; however, to me, at this point, it seems like driving a Bentley while living in a run down slum area. It’s another example of our kids being bussed to the nicer areas to attend school and then having to come back to the war zone they live in. Does that really make them feel better about themselves? I don’t think so. My point is, when will you be able to tell us what is REALLY in store for us as far as housing, commercial development, and better living conditions in the 21st Ward. I know plans were being made for this area (like downtown) as long as 25 years ago. When are we going to be aware of these plans so we can plan our futures accordingly???
i have to agree. a new recreational center in the heart of a community that is literally falling apart in every other respect.
housing, business development and sustainability, public education, healthcare, services for children and seniors – - all hallmark issues that usually receive ambigious, tentative and long winded responses. but little action.
how does this center play out in the middle of a recession? what nutrition and physical education program go with it to combat heart disease, obesity and lack of exercise? what community groups will play a role in developing this place?
so many questions. we eagerly await the answers. (and not the “just be patient” response either).
Smoking Gun, I’m not sure if you are a 21st Ward resident or not, but the homes and blocks immediately around O’Fallon Park are pretty stable areas with tremendous housing stock.
This is not an area that is “falling apart” in the same way as some other parts of the city.
Secondly, this recreation center is part of the solution to many of the programs you mentioned. The most valuable part of having this new rec center will be to give young people — especially young men, who are the ones most likely to be causing trouble in our neighborhoods — alternatives to hanging out on street corners and organized activities to keep them busy, especially in the summertime.
As far as specific programs to be offered, well, there is still more than a year before the facility opens. There is still plenty of time to work out specifics, but I do promise that the public will be kept informed and involved in the planning of these activities.
Thanks for you concern and interest. I look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings.
PS — Feel free to use your real name. Or at least your real first name.
Hey Smokin Gun, want to know what community groups will make the center a success? Join one and get involved. Don’t post insulting comments about north side neighborhoods late at night under fake names. Be a neighbor, not a hater.
aldman french you are on the right path. this is the beginning of the future for our city as well as the 21 first ward. this is the voice for the city as well as the youth, young adults, and the elderly. i live in the 3rd ward but i’m working on the 21 first ward first then the CITY. i will do anything in my power to help you. turn away from negativity. you’ve been in that ward all your life you know what’s needed there let’s get it. GOD SPEED
ALDERMAN FRENCH SEE YOU SOON.
Ald Finch,
I am very excited about the renovations to O’fallon Park. Though I do not live in the 21st Ward, I live in the 3rd Ward portion of the O’fallon Neighborhood. I recently visited the park bringing some young children. My concern is the amount of glass mixed in with the rocks under the jungle gym areas. Given that it is young children that are playing in the area, it is a severe safety hazard. The jungle gym at Fairgroud Park has a soft landing surface. Though I’m not quite sure of it’s composition, if it was in place in O’Fallon, it would be much safer for our children.I have contacted CSB to see if they can at least try to clean up some of the glass in the rocks. But I wanted to let you know about it too. Thank you in advance.
Tonya