Challenge
Multiple flooding events along Spencer Creek in St. Peters, MO led to bank erosion and sediment buildup near Boone Hills Drive. The narrow trail that ran along the creek through a residential area was damaged and deteriorating, and featured a steep slope that was becoming more difficult to navigate.
After multiple short-term fixes, the City of St. Peters began to look for a long-term solution that would shore up the stream banks, provide a safer slope for pedestrians, and improve the overall look of this trail section.
Solution
After some research and a site visit to a similar project in Indiana, city officials ultimately selected PermaTrak to design a new, 280-foot elevated boardwalk to replace the existing paved trail. By elevating the trail, the city was able to better stabilize the creek and create a gentler, curved ADA-compliant slope that was easier for users to traverse. Given the environmental sensitivity of the area, city officials didn’t want to perform constant maintenance on the boardwalk, and PermaTrak’s maintenance-free precast concrete system fit the bill.
With over 90% of St. Peters residents living within a mile of a city park, the area’s 24-mile trail system is a popular amenity with residents, and the city is pleased to add an instant landmark that is a focal point for the community.
Photo credit: GBA Architects and Engineers