Pocketparks Helps Downtown St. Louis "Putt" Its Best Foot Forward

Pocketparks unveils 6th Park in Laclede’s Landing October 10 with an active art park and disc golf putting course to activate the downtown St. Louis riverfront.

by Lindsay Pattan / photos courtesy of Pocketparks

This week, Pocketparks once again helps Downtown St. Louis “putt” its best foot forward. A local nonprofit known for transforming underused spaces into vibrant community hubs, Pocketparks unveils its sixth park, the Laclede’s Landing Active Art Park and Disc Golf Putting Course. The grand opening will be commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 10 at 5:00 p.m. with celebratory festivities continuing until 8:00 p.m. The first 150 attendees will receive a complimentary disc to test their skills on the new course.

Located at 617 N Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, this unique park strengthens riverfront revitalization efforts by offering both recreational activities and public art. The disc golf course incorporates art sculptures commissioned from local nonprofit STL Artworks, which teaches youth valuable soft job skills through paid artist commissions. These sculptures, crafted from recycled bicycle parts, serve as creative and playful obstacles on the course, blending art and activity in an innovative way.

In addition to the sculptures, the park features historic columns, repurposed as benches and barriers to prevent unsafe vehicle traffic. Raised bed planters, filled with greenery, bring new life and vibrancy to the space, showcasing Pocketparks' commitment to beautification and sustainability.

Most of the park’s transformation will be completed through an exciting initiative called "Overnight Placemaking." More than 120 volunteers from the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference will come together on October 9 to paint, plant, and install elements like the sculptures and planters, finishing the park in just a few hours.

"This park embodies what we're all about—art, activity, and opportunity,” said Samantha Smugala, President and Founder of Pocketparks. "There seems to be something new coming to Laclede’s Landing every month. To get to design and build a park here in this historic neighborhood next to the Gateway Arch where millions of residents and visitors enjoy time with each other walking, picnicking, playing and exploring is a dream come true.”

The grand opening will feature food and drink vendors MOOobile, Brew Tulum and Cobblestone Market, with live music performed by Nicole Smugala, an acoustic guitar singer-songwriter.

Event Details

● Date: October 10, 2024

● Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

● Location: 617 N Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63102

● Highlights: Disc golf putting course, live music, food, and drinks

● Special Offer: Free frisbee for the first 150 attendees

The Games

The Laclede's Landing disc golf putting course features three interactive games including "Around the World," "The Ladder," and "H-O-R-S-E," eached designed to challenge players' precision and distance while navigating artistic obstacles.

Pocketparks continues to reimagine and redevelop unused spaces, creating opportunities for community engagement, economic development, and artistic expression. The Laclede’s Landing Active Art Park is a true reflection of this mission, offering a space for residents and visitors alike to enjoy art, recreation, and the beauty of St. Louis’ historic waterfront.

Another successful collaboration propelling Downtown St. Louis forward This project was commissioned by the Laclede’s Landing Neighborhood Association and Missouri Main Street Connection, an historic preservation and urban development nonprofit which selected the Laclede’s Landing Riverfront District as a current priority. The Laclede’s Landing Active Art Park and Disc Golf Putting Course was made possible in part by sponsors Square, Cash App, Greater St. Louis Inc., Gateway Disc Sports, IMC Outdoor Living, and Pattan & Co. Public Relations.

About Pocketparks

Pocketparks is a non-profit organization that reimagines and redevelops unused plots of land to provide communities with active and beautiful recreational areas. Through community engagement, the vacant lots are designed to meet the specific needs of the neighborhoods in which there are located. Each park incorporates three things: activity, artwork, and opportunity. Pocketparks are small, but make a big impact. Focusing on reactivating small outdoor spaces allows Pocketparks to create a quick impact without extensive resources. In addition to offering beautiful recreational areas, Parketparks projects help to increase safety, boost community pride, and contribute to economic development.

Established in St. Louis in 2021, Pocketparks plans to grow into a network of parks that sprawl across the region, and eventually expand to other cities and states. To learn more, visit pocketparks.co and follow them on social media.