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Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park is owned and operated by the Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD).
About Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park (MMMP) is a passive public space situated directly across from the Gateway Arch. Dubbed "the park with a view," this Metro-East hidden gem houses the largest water fountain in the United States, the Gateway Geyser, as well as the Mississippi River Overlook, which offers unparalleled views of the St. Louis City skyline. If you have yet to visit MMMP, be sure to keep this destination at the top of your list!
The park's origin story is a remarkable one; one that is inextricably linked to the man whose name the park bears, Malcolm W. Martin, whose vision, passion, dedication, and generosity made much of what exists today possible. The Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, a non-profit organization established by Martin for the purpose of fulfilling the original vision for the Gateway Arch National Park, which was to include an Illinois expansion, transferred title of the Gateway Geyser and 30+ undeveloped acres of land to the Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) on June 7th, 2005.
Since taking ownership of the park, MEPRD has taken on the honored role of carrying the mantle of Martin's ambitious vision and legacy, in lockstep with the Gateway Center, which continues to play an active and invaluable role in the park's development and ongoing maintenance/operation.
The Metro East Park and Recreation District, with the invaluable support and backing of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, developed and opened the Mississippi River Overlook in the Spring of 2009. The Overlook is located off the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, parallel to the Gateway Arch, and stands at just over 43 feet tall, offering parkgoers a truly breathtaking and unrivaled view of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and St. Louis City skyline.
Not only is the Overlook ADA accessible; its tiered structure also boasts illuminated stainless-steel railings, allowing for safe access up and down the Overlook, day or night. Visitors are encouraged to make their way to the top of the Mississippi River Overlook to take in and capture the incredible views it offers. Located atop the Overlook is the ArchCam, a statue of the park's namesake, Malcolm W. Martin, and informational signage.
Powered by three 800-horsepower pumps, the Gateway Geyser can blast 7,500 gallons of water per minute, straight up, at a rate of 250 feet per second. At its maximum height of 630 feet, the Gateway Geyser matches the height of the Gateway Arch. That makes it the tallest water fountain in the U.S. and, impressively, the world's third largest water fountain.
Gateway Geyser opened May 27, 1995, helping to fulfill Malcolm W. Martin's vision of creating a landmark along the Illinois riverfront that would complement the Gateway Arch. The Gateway Geyser was established with the help of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, a non-profit group founded by Malcolm, whose members raised $4 million in private donations to construct the geyser.
Geyser Schedule: The Gateway Geyser erupts daily, at noon, for 10 minutes, except in the case of inclement weather, drought, or high winds. The first eruption of the year is typically held on Memorial Day (weather permitting) and the last eruption on Labor Day. The Gateway Geyser hibernates during the cold weather months, from Labor Day through Memorial Day.
About Malcolm W. Martin
Malcolm W. Martin (1912 - 2014) was born in St. Louis in 1912. He graduated from Yale University in 1933 and St. Louis City College of Law in 1941, the same year in which he co-founded Martin, Peper, and Martin with his father and Chris Peper.
Shortly after founding the firm, the United States entered World War II. Martin was drafted into the U.S. Army as a private, spending much of his service time in London. He was promoted to sergeant and was later involved in planning the D-Day invasion at Normandy. He studied the tides of the English Channel to find the best place, time, and method for the ships to arrive on the beaches. These contributions led to his promotion to captain, and involvement in coordinating the ships on D-Day. For his contributions in planning and coordinating the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, he received a Bronze Star.
After the war Martin continued his contributions to the community. He was one of the founders of KETC Channel 9 and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. He was a trustee of the St. Louis Symphony, a member and president of the St. Louis Board of Education from 1965-1977, Chairman of the St. Louis Committee on Foreign Relations, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and trustee of the St. Louis Art Museum. He received the 1984 St. Louis Award and the National Conservation Award of the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1988 for work related to the proposed future development of the east bank extension of the Gateway Arch National Park.
Before the Gateway Arch was completed in 1965, Martin wanted to extend the Memorial Park to encompass both sides of the river, and complete Eero Saarinen’s (the architect of the Gateway Arch) original vision for the Gateway Arch National Park, which included an Illinois component. Martin became chairman of the executive committee of the federal commission established in 1987 to plan the Illinois extension and established the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Making the Illinois expansion of the Gateway Arch National Park a reality was Malcolm Martin’s top priority and goal. Upon Mr. Martin's death in 2004, Malcolm donated over $5 million to the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis to continue this work. A goal the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis and Metro East Park and Recreation District continue to lobby and strive for to this day.
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