EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville announced that work will begin Monday, August 31, 2026, to transform one of the City’s two newest park properties into a showcase for native plants and a relaxing spot to enjoy that scenery. Construction is scheduled to get underway on Gerber Meadows, at Governors’ Parkway and Gerber Road, to sculpt the 3.42-acre parcel into a passive park with a variety of trees, flowers and grasses; a walking path along the perimeter; and a small parking area.
The Gerber Meadows property, an undeveloped parcel in the City’s 7th Ward adjacent to Ward 6, and the 0.34-acre empty lot at 211 S. Benton Street, in the City’s 4th Ward, were announced by Mayor Art Risavy in 2024 as City purchases through the Edwardsville Enhancement Plan. That plan dedicated a quarter-percent sales tax increase that took effect that year to acquiring and preserving green space, investing in City parks and public spaces, funding future capital projects and supporting the City’s public safety pensions.
“I’m happy to see these projects moving forward,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “These two parks will emphasize green space and native plantings and be a welcome addition for residents to enjoy.”
In the time since that announcement, an open house to gather public input on the two parcels has taken place and engineering and design plans were drafted. One other major advancement was announced in June of 2025: The Edwardsville Community Foundation donated funds for the parks from the David Kriege Family bequest, which had been entrusted to the foundation to improve the quality of life in Edwardsville in the areas of recreation, preservation and beautification. The foundation is providing $165,000 for the Benton Street property, to be named in honor of the Crocker Gardens neighborhood; and $540,000 for the Gerber Meadows property.
The construction set to begin at Gerber Meadows will include the installation of a paved lot with about 10 parking spaces, utility work to add a water fountain, and the paving of an 8-foot-wide concrete walking path that generally follows the outline of the park. Landscaping and planting will follow this fall and next spring. The park’s progress is weather dependent, but the contractor, Gelly Excavating, is aiming for completion early this fall, with work generally taking place between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. A few trees at the entrance also will need to be removed as the project gets underway, but additional trees will be planted as a buffer between the park and the properties to the east.
Construction on the Crocker Gardens park is expected to begin this fall; the site will include a swing set and play area, sidewalk and landscaping. More information on the progress of both parks can be
found at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects
http://www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects
