In the fall of 2020, the City of Crestwood was awarded a planning grant through the Municipal Parks Grant Commission of St. Louis County to develop a Community Master Plan for native planting and natural area planning in four of the City’s parks: Rayburn Park, Sanders Park, Spellman Park, and Ferndale Park.  DTLS worked in partnership with City staff to develop a master plan which would increase biodiversity, manage stormwater, develop community gardens, and create outdoor educational and play spaces to engage people with nature. 

The primary method of data collection for this project was site observation and analysis combined with public engagement and listening. The timing of the grant award presented a challenge for the planning team, because the typical methods of in-person public engagement were not available due to Covid-19 restrictions. In response to this challenge, the planning team developed online surveys which solicited feedback from approximately 200 Crestwood residents. 

The design recommendations for each park focused on landscape enhancements which focused on invasive species removal and included native plantings to help filter and slow stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity.  Community gardens were proposed for food production, while seasonally colorful planting areas highlight park entrances and attract pollinators. Each recommendation included an opportunity to educate as well as order of magnitude cost estimates for initial budgeting purposes.  The report included a list of local, state and federal grant opportunities including key contacts and application timelines, in order to implement these improvements.

The Natural Resources Master Plan led to Crestwood being  awarded a Back to Nature Grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation.  These grant funds are currently being used to implement the plan recommendations at Crestwood Park.  Additionally, the recommendations were subsequently incorporated into the Crestwood Parks & Recreation Master Plan, a comprehensive plan for all of the City’s parks, which was adopted in 2023 and will be implemented in the coming years.