Route 66 State Park
The closed Route 66 bridge on the Meramec River
Map showing the location of Route 66 State Park
Map showing the location of Route 66 State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Route 66 State Park
Map showing the location of Route 66 State Park
Route 66 State Park (the United States)
LocationSt. Louis County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates38°30′23″N 90°35′25″W / 38.50639°N 90.59028°W / 38.50639; -90.59028
Area418.61 acres (169.41 ha)[1]
Elevation436 ft (133 m)[2]
Established1997[3]
Visitors256,980 (in 2022)[4]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteRoute 66 State Park

Route 66 State Park is a public recreation area located on the Meramec River at the site of the former town of Times Beach, Missouri.[5] The state park encompasses 419 acres (170 ha) one mile (1.6 km) east of Eureka.

History

Times Beach was bought, dismantled, and decontaminated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency following the discovery of widespread dioxin contamination in the 1980s.[6] Fields of wild grass and brush now grow where the homes of evacuated residents formerly stood. Deserted streets line the park and hint at what once was a community in west Saint Louis County.[7]

Activities and amenities

The park has a boat ramp providing access to the river as well as a picnic area and trails for hiking, cycling, and equestrian use.[5] The visitor center exhibits photos and memorabilia of structures along Route 66 in the Saint Louis area which have been torn down and replaced by modern shopping centers and strip malls. Displays include the first historic Route 66 marker, originally erected on the highway in Springfield, Missouri, as well as an interpretation of the ecological disaster and 20-year cleanup of the area.

Route 66 bridge

The visitor center, located in the old Bridgehead Inn on the east side of the Meramec River, was joined to the park on the west side by the old Route 66 bridge, which has been closed due to safety concerns. The park itself is accessible only from east-bound Interstate 44 at exit 265. The visitor center is accessed from either direction at exit 266 and is cut off from the park it serves.[8][9]

A plan to restore the bridge to usability is projected to be complete in 2026.[10]

Former roadhouse, the park's cutoff visitor center

References

  1. ↑ "Route 66 State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Times Beach (historical)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ↑ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. August 25, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Route 66 State Park". Missouri State Parks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. December 10, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Joint Federal/State Action Taken to Relocate Times Beach Residents" (Press release). United States Environmental Protection Agency. February 22, 1983. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Ill-Fated Times Beach". Legends of America. November 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Old Route 66 Bridge Permanently Closed at Route 66 State Park". Missouri State Parks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. February 27, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Route 66 State Park Bridge". Missouri Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  10. ↑ https://greatriversgreenway.org/66bridge/
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