East St. Louis, Ill., Nov. 23, 2009 . . . Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) and Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis recently accepted two outstanding awards for their role in establishing the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park on the East St. Louis Riverfront. The park, which brings to life a decades-old dream of a memorial embracing both shores of the Mississippi, was honored with the prestigious awards from The NAACP and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. 

Representatives of MEPRD and Gateway Center accepted the NAACP’s award for Government Innovation at The NAACP’s East St. Louis Chapter’s Freedom Banquet on Oct. 18, 2009.  Each year, the NAACP recognizes organizations that have made outstanding contributions to their communities. This year, in front of an estimated crowd of 1,000 people from across the country, MEPRD was honored for their collaboration with Gateway Center to create the park, which opened to the public this June.

The new park received further recognition from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, which presented Paul Evans, President of MEPRD and Marshall Hier, President of Gateway Center with a 2009 Outstanding Local Government Achievement Award. The award, which honors a successful public/private or not-profit venture, was given at the East-West Gateway Council of Governments Annual Meeting on Nov. 13. 

The vision for a memorial on the eastern shore of the Mississippi originated with Gateway Arch architect Eero Saarinen, and was shared by the late Malcolm Martin, for whom the park is named. Martin founded the Gateway Center back in 1968 to help bring the dream to life. On June 7, 2005, the Gateway Center officially transferred the title of the Gateway Geyser and more than 34 acres surrounding it to MEPRD, entrusting its board and staff with the task of transforming the undeveloped grounds into a true memorial park to be named in honor of Martin in recognition of his vision and generosity. The park's development since then has been largely funded through donations provided by the Gateway Center Board, valued at over $15 million for both the park’s creation and its ongoing maintenance, so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

The Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, which serves as a significant milestone in the revitalization of the East St. Louis riverfront, encompasses the Gateway Geyser – one of the world’s tallest fountains - as well as the Mississippi River Overlook. The Overlook towers above the levee, offering the region’s most spectacular views of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline. It also features an elevated seating area leading to a sweeping, open lawn for viewing fireworks and other recreational activities. Visitors to the apex of the Overlook will also find a bronze sculpture of Martin, a tribute to the man whose vision made the project possible.

“We’re so proud of the Park and its amenities and so thankful to Gateway Center for choosing to entrust this landmark project to MEPRD,” noted Mike Buehlhorn, executive director of MEPRD. “We were committed to delivering a venue that Malcolm Martin would have been proud of, and the rave reviews it has received from the public, coupled with these awards, helps to convince us that he would, indeed, be proud of the park that bears his name.”

The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) was formed by voters in November 2000, and is responsible for the development of parks, greenways, and trails in Madison County and St. Clair County, Illinois. The District supplements the efforts of local governments, special districts, and other jurisdictions already engaged in the management of parks and recreation facilities. The park district is the first of its kind in Illinois, serving over half a million residents in an area larger in size than the State of Rhode Island. For more information, visit www.meprd.org

# # #