Beginning Friday, a new traffic routing system and trolley service will be implemented at Forest Park.
The new traffic plan (see map below) was announced today by the non-profit Forest Park Forever and partnering institutions to help alleviate congestion at the Hampton entrance to the park.
Lesley Hoffarth, president of Forest Park Forever, said that from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, vehicles will be diverted to the east on Wells.
"There will be yellow banners that say 'Traffic Relief Lot,'" Hoffarth said. "It will take you by an 800-space Muny parking lot and the twin lots at the visitor center as great places to park."
Hoffarth said the park receives 12 million visitors per year and 60 percent of them choose to come by car through Hampton, instead of using the other nine entrances.
John Nations, with Metro, said expansion of the trolley service, which costs some $300,000, was made possible after working with Forest Park Forever to manage financing.
"Forest Park Forever came to us and said that the trolley has been so successful they would like to have expanded hours," Nations said. "And they came back and said they'd like to donate their own money, and that really leverages taxpayer dollars. And they're contributing about $136,000."
The Forest Park Trolley Line will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 1 - October 31. It will connect all park attractions, and the DeBaliviere MetroLink Station.