The play areas at Lewis and Clark Landing are a destination, filled with a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Smaller climbing towers and slides are interspersed with bridges, while the larger tower and zip line appeal to the more adventurous.
Lewis and Clark Landing abuts the Missouri River and knits the downtown core together into an urban park destination. After a multi-decade restoration effort from a lead refinery plant, the site is now anchored by a new children’s museum, destination playgrounds and a host of family activities, including an urban beach, event plaza, sand volleyball courts, and ancillary facilities.
The 36-acre park sits on a former industrial site, and a seven-foot-tall floodwall bifurcates the area. The site was remediated in the late 90s and transformed into a public open space that consisted primarily of an open lawn, parking, a small riverfront marina, a restaurant, and a large, paved event plaza. The team worked closely with the City, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other local and federal agencies to rethink the remediated site and provide proper soil depths for shallow rooting trees and plan for a multitude of recreational opportunities.
An adventure playground anchors the south end of the site, with towering climbing structures, an adventure path, zipline, log forest, swing canopy, and an interactive water/sand play area. An urban beach with seating hides the floodwall. Residents can enjoy a day at the beach with volleyball, lounging, bocce ball, and a full view of the previously obscured Missouri River. The park is further anchored by the Luminarium, a STEM museum that dovetails with educational programming and adventure play paths. The connective site areas along the rail lines, roadways and River are planted with low-maintenance prairie grasslands, which offer seasonal interest and will naturalize over time.
”Smaller children can take a variety of pathways to build climbing and sliding skills. They can use ropes and toe holds to traverse a low-scale bridge. A waterwheel and watercourse teach cause and effect, as well as team-building.
”Four regulation-size volleyball courts offer places for tournament play and recreational fun. The lollipop structures offer shade in bright sun and diffuse lighting at night.
