After a much-delayed construction period, the boardwalk at the Quarry is now open!
This part of Whitecliff park is the site of a short-lived quarry operation originally named Glendale Quarry, per an 1893 business directory. Apparently, the limestone quarry operation wasn’t sustainable as that it kept filling with water (as it is today). Little historic information is known about the quarry, but you can still see remnants of the old rail line bridge over the creek and loading platform columns next to the quarry.
When the Whitecliff Master Plan was created back in 1999, this area was identified for future development and a similar boardwalk concept was recommended. Twenty years later, that vision is now in place.
The boardwalk allows visitors an unrestricted view of the quarry and easy access to a new local fishing spot. In addition to the boardwalk, a fishing plaza was created closer to the water. Catch-and-Release fishing is allowed from both locations, but MO fishing regulations still apply.
The water is a bit murky and doesn’t sustain a robust fish population. The city has advertised for bids for the next phase of development which will include a pavilion area and a water treatment system allowing the pond to be stocked. More to come on this.
The city leveraged a grant to help fund the costs for the boardwalk and one of its requirements was to have accessible access. As such, two handicap parking spots are available. So, if you have a handicap tag or license plate, you are allowed to drive to this site and park. From the lower parking lot, you can drive across the “restricted” bridge and park in the designated spots at the quarry. However, this is a shared narrow gravel road with pedestrians so extreme caution is needed when driving along here.
Future plans over the next few years for this area include the pavilion currently being bid, but also a new restroom at the lower lot and a pedestrian bridge across Gravois Creek at Lodge Pole Lane / Sheryl Ann Dr.