About Marian’s Place

A public park devoted to nature, wellness and community

Marian’s Place is privately funded by Tom Rollins and named in honor of his wife Marian who passed on Sept.18, 2023 after a 6-year battle with Alzheimer’s/dementia disease. Tom and his family opened the park for public use during the summer of 2023.

The park is a 50-acre greenspace located along the banks of the Mississippi River (RM 167) in south St. Louis County MO and adjoins Cliff Cave County Park owned and operated by the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department.

The park first opened to public access in August 2023 to allow the public to enjoy a 5-acre area planted with sunflowers. Access trails and signage were installed to allow visitors an up close and immersive interactive experience with the large showy sunflowers in bloom. The public response was very positive, and thousands of people came to enjoy the beautiful display to take photos and walk and revel in the beauty of the site. It was an awesome display greatly appreciated by all who came and received extensive news and social media coverage during the blooming season. Sunflower field plantings will be provided in 2024 with peak blooming anticipated during August and September.

The 50-acre park is situated on approximately 35 acres of the Mississippi Riverbank and floodplain with lowland forests, open wetlands and trails excellent for wildlife viewing. A primitive trail takes you to the rugged river shore where bank fishing for large catfish is popular.

Approximately 15 acres of the park’s northern area was earthen filled and elevated above the 100-year floodplain in 2005. Approximately 11 acres of level “plateau” at the top of this elevated site does not flood when the river rises, making it ideal for year-round ADA compliant recreation, facility, trail and vegetative habitat development. It is here where the sunflowers are planted and where Tom is developing plans and partnerships to fully realize the potential of this elevated site for exercise/wellness, river education and just enjoying nature with sweeping views of the beautiful Mississippi River and diverse natural floodplain habitats below.

Development Plans for Marian’s Place

The 11-acre elevated plateau on the north end of Marian’s Place is a flood-proof area designated for future public park development. In 2024, the existing gravel service road will serve as the main public access trail until further trail infrastructure is established. This access route begins at the Cliff Cave County Park pavilion parking lot, enters Marian’s Place via the service road at the northwest corner, and extends south approximately a quarter mile, where it descends from the south-central end of the elevated plateau to connect with the floodplain and county bike/hike trail.

For 2024, sunflower plantings will feature three fields: a 5-acre field on the plateau flanking the main access trail, a 1.5-acre field on the floodplain between the southwest base of the elevated site and the county bike/hike trail, and a 2-acre field on the farmed floodplain area along the county bike/hike trail, directly opposite the 1.5-acre field. As the sunflowers mature and begin to bloom, paths will be mowed through the fields, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in their vibrant beauty and experience them "up close and personal.

NOTE: These plans are tentative and may change based on talks with engineers, designers and planners

Wellness Development Area

The future development area, anticipated to span approximately 3 acres, will be located in the northeast section of the elevated plateau, offering excellent river views and easy access to the county pavilion, parking lot, and restroom facilities. The county has conceptually agreed to expand their parking lot and relocate and enlarge their restroom facilities in their master plan, contingent upon funding availability. These enhancements are necessary to accommodate the heavy visitor use currently experienced at the county pavilion and bike/hike trail, as well as the anticipated increase in visitors due to the development of Marian’s Place. The planned wellness area will be professionally designed by landscape architects to ensure that all facilities and features are integrated seamlessly, blending functionality and aesthetics for an optimal visitor experience.

Key facilities and features planned for the wellness area are:

  • Exercise trail.

  • Group Pavilion

  • Grassy Activity Area.

  • Outdoor Art/Butterfly/Sensory Gardens

  • Childrens Play Area

Trails

The existing main access trail/service road will be upgraded and maintained for long-term use. In the future, an additional one mile of ADA-accessible trails will be developed, allowing full circulation across the entire 11-acre site and connecting all planned facilities and features. This looped trail system will provide visitors with various route options, enabling them to choose their preferred sites and walking distances without needing to backtrack. The trails will be strategically aligned to showcase the stunning east-side views overlooking the river and the scenic south views overlooking the floodplain.

Interactive Sunflower Fields

Sunflower plantings were the inaugural public attraction at Marian’s Place in 2023. Due to overwhelming support and appreciation, these vibrant displays have become a signature feature of the park and will be cultivated and maintained annually. While the location, size, and associated activities may vary each year, the sunflowers will remain a constant, delighting visitors and enhancing the park’s natural beauty with every bloom season.

Group Fire Ring with Seating for Programs

A native stone fire ring with bench seating, designed to accommodate groups of up to 30, is planned for the eastern area of the plateau, south of the wellness area, and overlooking the river. This inviting feature will provide a scenic and cozy gathering spot for visitors to enjoy.

Vernal Pool

A shallow swale area, approximately 1/8th acre in size, will hold water during wet periods, providing a habitat for aquatic insects and amphibians. This feature will be surrounded by wet mesic prairie that dries out during dry periods, adding habitat diversity and ecological interest to the park.

Floodplain Open Wetland

Transforming a 1.5-acre natural depression on the floodplain into a haven for wildlife and visitors alike. We will carefully excavate the site to create a shallow wetland, 1-3 feet in depth, fostering wetland herbaceous vegetation and mudflats. This sanctuary will provide a vital stop for migrating shorebirds, enriching our ecosystem and offering a peaceful retreat for all along the county bike/hike trail.

Bank Fishing Access Trail

An existing traditional primitive access trail, established by catfishing enthusiasts years ago, provides access to the river shoreline for bank fishing. The trail begins at the bike/hike trail, sharply turning south, and extends through mature floodplain forest to the riverbank. Safety improvements will be needed in the future due to the rugged nature of the rock revetment shoreline and rock navigation wing dikes, which can pose hazards.

Prairie Plantings

Native prairie grasses and wildflowers will be planted throughout all areas of the elevated plateau not designated for sunflower fields or other developed areas and infrastructure. This planting will enhance the natural beauty and ecological value of the park, creating a vibrant, sustainable landscape for all to enjoy.

Memorial Tree Planting Area

Designated areas will be allocated for memorial native tree plantings to honor deceased loved ones. Specific rules and procedures for this memorial program will be defined in the future. This initiative could also extend to include memorial park benches, other facilities, interpretive signs, outdoor art, or native plantings, offering multiple ways to create lasting tributes.

“Hives for Heroes” Bee Keeping

Designated area for a veterans based not for profit bee keeping area on the southwest area of the plateau surrounded by prairie to provide therapy and skills for veteran members of this nationwide organization and with outreach and education on the art, science and value of bees and bee keeping.

Flood Plain Successional Forest with Primitive Trail

We are creating a natural trail through early successional and mature floodplain forest, bordering the southeast and east sides of the elevated plateau. This trail will offer the public an opportunity for hiking, wildlife viewing, and access to the river shoreline for bank fishing