Gateway Arch National Park Receives National Park Foundation Grant for Park’s Every Kid Outdoors Program
ST. LOUIS—Gateway Arch National Park has received a $40,000 grant from the National Park Foundation in support of the park’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program. The grant funds fourth grade students’ visits to Gateway Arch National Park, covering Tram Ride to the Top tickets as well as transportation to and from the park when part of a scheduled education program. During the 2021-2022 school year, 1,276 students were served through the park’s EKO grant. Park partner Jefferson National Parks Association is serving as the fiscal agent for the grant.
“We are so grateful to the National Park Foundation for their generosity in bringing students to Gateway Arch National Park, where they can learn about the significance of the Arch and surrounding areas, and why the park is important in the story of America,” says Pam Sanfilippo, Program Manager, Museum Services & Interpretation, Gateway Arch National Park.
EKO is a federal public lands partnership created to inspire U.S. fourth graders and their families to recreate, explore cultures, discover connections to nature and spark a lifelong passion for America’s great outdoors. All fourth graders, including homeschooled and free-choice learners, can get a pass that covers entrance or standard amenity day use fees at National Park Service sites as well as many other federal lands and waters. To get a Fourth Grade Pass, visit everykidoutdoors.gov, complete an online activity, and download and print a personalized voucher to exchange at a participating site, including Gateway Arch National Park. The pass is good for one year.
VISITOR REMINDERS
The Thanksgiving weekend is a very busy time at the Arch. Visitors are strongly encouraged to secure Tram Ride to the Top tickets in advance by calling 877-982-1410 or going online to gatewayarch.com/buytickets.
Visitors should arrive at the Arch at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled tram time and enter the monument at the Arch entrance plaza, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only. Entrance to the Arch Visitor Center and the Museum at the Gateway Arch is always free.
Parking is available at the Stadium East Garage, located at 200 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, for a fee. Visit iparkit.com/TheArch to pre-purchase parking with no validation required. If parking is not pre-purchased, validation is required by scanning/stamping parking tickets at one of two validators located inside the Arch Visitor Center. With each parking purchase at the Stadium East Garage, $1 will go to support ongoing conservation and preservation efforts, educational opportunities, and community programs at Gateway Arch National Park through Gateway Arch Park Foundation.
For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
ABOUT GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK: Gateway Arch National Park is a unit of the National Park System that commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a unified continental nation and St. Louis’ role as the gateway to the American West during the 19th century and preserves the Old Courthouse as the site of the Dred Scott case. The park includes the Gateway Arch, the Arch grounds and the Old Courthouse, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. Admission to the Museum at the Gateway Arch is free, and most programs are free of charge and open to the public. Many programs and events at the park benefit from the generous support from park partners Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Jefferson National Parks Association and Bi-State Development. The Gateway Arch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Old Courthouse is currently closed. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information about Gateway Arch National Park, visit NPS.gov/jeff.