Inspired by the meandering Mississippi and Missouri rivers with their adjacent farm fields and steep limestone bluffs, Citygarden is a 3 acre, two block urban sculpture garden in downtown St. Louis, opened to the public in June of 2009.  The park features 22 sculptures by well-known and emerging artists. It is free, unbound by fences, and completely accessible – a gift toward revitalization of downtown St. Louis from the Gateway Foundation.

Completed while working at NBW, Mary Wolf coordinated the overall site design and was responsible for all planting design and layout on the project. Paul Josey was responsible for onsite bioretention design, including internal and street-side raingardens, porous paving and suspended slab construction over tree root zones.

The planting draws heavily from the ecological and cultural context as well as the historical patterns of structures that existed earlier on the site.   The boundaries of earlier row house sites became the framework for an extensive perennial garden along the south edge of the site.  Two large rain gardens central to the site create a dramatic seasonal display as well as receive all the stormwater within the site. 

Raingardens along street planted with juncus and lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) delight the baseball fans as they make their way to nearby Cardinal stadium.  Trees were a priority in this project and custom suspended slab paving systems were developed for trees, allowing for rainwater infiltration into the uncompacted soil volumes. Large native trees as well as groves and allees were planted throughout the park to give immediate shade and backdrop for the sculpture.