Despite its urban location, Gateway Arch National Park supports a variety of wildlife. Birds are the most visible fauna, including peregrine falcons that nest on the Arch itself, along with various songbirds and waterfowl along the riverfront. The park's grounds provide habitat for urban-adapted species such as eastern gray squirrels, rabbits, and various insects. The adjacent Mississippi River hosts numerous fish species and attracts migrating birds, making the park an important urban wildlife corridor.
The 91-acre park surrounding the Gateway Arch features carefully maintained landscaping designed by Dan Kiley. The grounds include over 900 London Plane trees arranged in geometric patterns, complemented by Kentucky Bluegrass lawns. Native wildflowers and prairie grasses have been incorporated into recent renovations, supporting local biodiversity and reducing water usage. The park's design creates a serene urban forest that provides shade and enhances the monument's setting while requiring minimal maintenance.
The Gateway Arch stands on the west bank of the Mississippi River, built on limestone and granite bedrock that provides a stable foundation for the 43,226-ton structure. The bedrock lies about 20 feet below ground level, and engineers drove steel and concrete footings 60 feet deep to anchor the Arch securely. The foundation work involved excavating 31,000 cubic yards of soil. The surrounding park features landscaped grounds that were carefully engineered to prevent erosion and manage drainage, given the site's proximity to the Mississippi River.
The Gateway Arch, completed in 1965, commemorates St. Louis' role as the 'Gateway to the West' during America's westward expansion. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, construction began in 1963 and cost $13 million ($190 million in today's currency). The monument honors Thomas Jefferson's vision of westward expansion and the pioneers who made the journey. The site was previously home to historic buildings that were cleared in the 1930s as part of a riverfront renovation project. In 2018, the park was renamed from Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to Gateway Arch National Park.
The Gateway Arch stands 630 feet tall, making it the world's tallest arch and Missouri's tallest accessible building. Its unique tram system carries visitors to the observation deck through the legs of the Arch. The stainless steel exterior changes appearance with weather conditions and time of day, creating stunning reflections. The park includes the Museum at the Gateway Arch, featuring exhibits on westward expansion, Native American history, and the Arch's construction. The Old Courthouse, part of the national park, is a historic landmark where the Dred Scott case was first heard. The grounds offer spectacular views of the Mississippi River and downtown St. Louis.
St. Louis experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid with average highs around 89°F (32°C), while winters (December-February) are cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are generally mild but can be unpredictable. Visitors should note that thunderstorms are common in spring and summer, while snow is possible in winter. The Arch itself can sway up to 18 inches in high winds, though this is completely safe and part of its engineering design.
USA
38.6240°, -90.1850°
February 22, 2018
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Gateway Arch National Park, located in St. Louis, Missouri, features the iconic 630-foot stainless steel Gateway Arch, America's tallest man-made monument. The park commemorates Thomas Jefferson's vision of westward expansion and St. Louis' role as the Gateway to the West. The grounds include the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case was first heard.