Rootwad Park — Attraction in St. Louis

Just like every other park controlled by the city of St. Louis, they’ve let it go down the toilet. This is the (supposed) south end of the Riverfront Trail bike path. Several years ago the city placed two concrete barriers in the loop encircling the park in an effort to keep cars out. Guess what? It didn’t work. What’s to keep cars from simply driving down O’Fallon St.? Nothing! Early in the morning I’ve found cars backed up to the barriers with one or more people asleep inside. Now a cyclist can’t get thru either. Cyclists are better off continuing North on Lewis St. and making a right on O’Fallon St.

Graffiti abounds everywhere. The turtle and snake sculpture has been defaced. And at times the place smells like urine…or worse. About the only saving grace is a wall made from stone blocks the right height to sit down and take a break. I would NOT advise hanging out here too long, especially at night or in the predawn hours. New pic added 11/08/2024. The pinnacle of St. Louis...Rootwad Park. 🤣 What a joke. ...

We found this park by accident while driving around. We were just out exploring the river front. It was a pleasant surprise and we spent some time climbing around and taking pictures. Quite a nice afternoon. When we were trying to get out of the place and find the highway, we ran into a motocross convention. Many cycles taking up the streets. Lots of fun trying to get around the throngs and closed streets. What a great way to end my first time...

Very cool Louisin Bob Cassilly (of City Museum, Cementland) artwork here. This area is very derelict and I would not recommend going alone or at night. William A. Kerr Foundation owns a building catty corner from this park and it looked like they were trying to revitalize this part of town....