The Gateway Arch (National Park)
I strongly feel, the Gateway Arch should not be a national park. But why do I feel so strongly about it?
I’ve recently been doing some research in to the public lands of the United States. Through this research, I have been learning more about the National Park System and their intended purposes. There are quite a few different designations under the NPS but one of the most notable is that of National Park.
National parks are established to preserve the natural environment they encompass. This makes these parks a sanctuary for the flora and fauna in the area. An added benefit is that the park is also a great place for the public to recreate, learn and have some outdoor enjoyment.
This brings me back to my strongly-held opinion about the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2018 the United States Congress voted to grant the Gateway Arch National Park status. Aside from adding it to the exclusive group of 62 (at the time) national parks, it likely provided the city of St. Louis with an economic incentive for tourists. Me being one of those people back in 2020.
And while that is a great benefit, it was the wrong decision.
The Gateway Arch park does not meet the objectives of a national park. Being in the middle of downtown St. Louis exposes it to excessive emissions, noise, and general pollution. This directly conflicts with it being a place to preserve the natural habitat, a core purpose of national parks. However, there are a couple of other designations administered by the same NPS authority they are under now.
National Memorial
National Monument
The primary purpose of these sites is to preserve objects of historical, prehistorical or cultural significance. And that’s actually what the Gateway Arch is. It is a symbol of the United States westward expansion during our formation. It sit directly in front of the courthouse where Dred Scott v. Sanford case originated. It is symbolic of the first US government west of the mighty Mississippi River. These are both have historical and cultural significance which needs to be recognized.
But it’s not a national park.
