The National Parks Service is opening a landmark program, the NPS Wellness Challenge, to encourage Missourians to savor their seven national parks. Those looking for a day trip should consider visiting Missouri’s iconic park Gateway Arch National Park to get active, learn and, of course, catch an unforgettable view.
Gateway Arch National Park was established in 1935 as part of a riverfront cleanup and city monument proposal. It commemorated Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase and St. Louis’ role as “the Gateway to the West.” Architect Eero Saarinen gave the park its monolithic Arch in a design competition after World War II, and it was constructed in 1963-1965. The museum at the Gateway Arch was added in 1976.
Fast forward to 2010, and St. Louis began a $380 million campaign of renovations and improvements.
Most of the money was privately funded through donations and a sales tax county residents enacted. Work lasted through 2018 and the results are immediately visible. Luther Ely Smith Square, also called “The Park Over the Bridge,” connects The Gateway Arch grounds to the historic Old Courthouse and Kiener Plaza by bridging Interstate 44, which had cut the park off from its city for decades. The North Gateway parking garage became an open event space, and the Riverfront Trail was raised 2.5 feet and lit.
“This is truly an historic renovation and movement in St. Louis history here,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation.
The museum was also updated to be more comprehensive, interactive and accessible, with exhibits covering not only Jefferson’s dream, but encompassing the story of westward expansion from multiple viewpoints. The park foundation consulted historical experts, tribal nations and marginalized populations to tell the entire story of St. Louis.
Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation Pam Sanfilippo has worked for NPS for 19 years. It is hard for her to pick one exhibit as a favorite. Instead, she said, “What I love is the way the stories are told here.”
The experience of the Arch itself has also changed, she believes for the better. COVID-19 restrictions made the park shorten the time visitors spent at the top to 10 minutes, which also decreased crowding on the viewing platform and ensured everyone could enjoy the vista. The change will likely be permanent.
“I think one of the things we learned through COVID is that we can do a better visitor experience this way,” explained Sanfilippo.
The NPS Wellness Challenge promotes the unique health resources at national park sites across the state, including Gateway Arch National Park, and rewards visitors for completing physical, mental and learning wellness activities unique to each location. Physical Wellness challenges to choose from include exploring the five miles of park trails, walking the riverfront and climbing the Grand Staircase. A Learning Wellness badge can be earned by catching a showing of the award-winning documentary “Monument to the Dream,” wandering the museum and, for kids, reporting for duty in the Junior Ranger program. Mental Wellness activities take visitors to the top of the Arch, to the reflection ponds for some relaxation and through the Explorer’s Garden and its native plants, observed by Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
The impetus for the NPS Wellness Challenge was a desire to improve individuals and communities’ health through the outdoors especially during recent, high-stress times.
“As we’re all suffering through trauma, war and disease, we can look to nature,” said Diana Allen, who leads the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative.
Their goal is to open national parks to all communities in Missouri, making them spaces of emotional, physical and social health, as well as inspiring sustainability, community and equity.
“Parks create a healthy, just, sustainable world,” she said.
Gateway Arch and other parks on the list are beginning the Wellness Challenge during National Parks Week, April 16-24. Missouri is the pilot state for this program.
“We want it to expand nationally,” Allen said.
Participants can pick up a National Park Service Wellness Challenge Guide at any Missouri national park site. When an activity in each category is completed, they can get their guide stamped by an NPS ranger or download a digital badge to mark their achievement. Badges and additional information are available at nps.gov/NPSWellnessChallenge, and The NPS App.