While we were gone this summer, Forest Park was buzzing. On the east side of the park, abutting Kingshighway sit 22.5 acres of park land that has been newly redubbed the Glade. With Steinberg ice rink at its heart this area has been reimagined as a venue for all seasons. $100M is being ploughed into this project that will restore this veteran ice rink to its former glory and then add new attractions that draw people all year long. Attractions include a water park and splash pad, restaurant and balcony overlooking the rink. Artist’s concepts below:

Work was still going great guns when we swung by the location yesterday but is scheduled to be done by the end of the year. The area under development is so large that we couldn’t get close enough for a decent view. We settled for walking through Klein Prairie and the neighboring boardwalk. Because construction has cutoff much of this area to pedestrian traffic, the place had a sort of empty, spooky vibe. Many of the native prairie grasses growing well and offered many unique and interesting photo-ops for just the two of us.