Dutchtown group proposes closing the section of Compton Ave. that cuts through Marquette Park to create a pedestrian zone

St. Louis, Missouri (First Alert 4) – A Dutchtown neighborhood group working to improve a local park is proposing a pilot program to close a busy road that runs through the park.

Marquette Park has undergone several improvements over the past year, including new futsal and basketball courts and improved play equipment.

Dallas Adams, a board member of Dutchtown Main Streets, said the group is now interested in adding more amenities as part of its work with the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Districts Plan.

The group has proposed temporarily closing off a section of Compton and using it as a pedestrian mall to connect the two halves of the park, which are currently separated by the busy road. Adams said this makes it difficult for families to move around the park without having to contend with traffic.

“We just want to create a safer, more connected park for everyone,” Adams said. “We hope that the road closure will allow neighbors to use the park more holistically.”

Some urban planners and mobility activists are increasingly pushing cities like St. Louis to close streets to calm traffic and create car-free zones. For example, the city recently closed off some streets in O’Fallon Park to prevent reckless driving.

Christian Frommelt of Car Free STL pointed out that built-up city streets are a land use problem.

“When amenities and things that people do are closer together, it’s more consistent with the communities that people want to live in,” he said.

But road closures, even for safety reasons, can take months or even years. Robert Atchison, a spokesman for the city’s road department, said officials must consider ambulance routes, residents’ opinions and many other factors before implementing such projects.

“You want to see if it’s possible, but you also have to look at the feasibility,” he said.

Dutchtown Main Streets is currently collecting feedback from the neighborhood through an online survey.

Adams said the road closure could ultimately lead to EPA grants that would help add more amenities to the park and the planned plaza.

“We look forward to taking these fundamental steps to show the city that the neighborhood wants this and that it would be of great benefit to us,” Adams said.

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