[Gage McCallister]

3/23/26

It has been a high-energy week for our community WiFi initiative. As we move closer to our goal of universal park connectivity, we are thrilled to share some major milestones that bring high-speed internet to more of your favorite neighborhood green spaces!

Construction Progress and Milestones

We are officially checking two more locations off the “Active Construction” list.

• Hyde Park and Benton Park: Final work has been successfully completed. These parks are transitioning from construction zones to fully connected community hubs.

• Marquette Park: Work is in its final concluding stages today, March 23rd, 2026. Residents can expect the last of the equipment to be cleared shortly as we finalize the signal testing.

• Murphy Park and De Soto Park: We are shifting gears to electrical remediation starting today in coordination with Kipp Inspire Academy and RJP. This is a critical step in ensuring the infrastructure is safe, stable, and ready for hardware installation. Electrical will be ran from Kipp Academy to support the network’s power without disrupting nearby neighborhoods with costly and messy sidewalk boring. Not only is this the better route- it’s more cost effective and reliable.

Once these parks conclude, will will have completed all of our Phase 1 series parks! 🏆

Looking Ahead: Fairgrounds Park

Once we wrap up the current batch of sites, we are setting our sights on Fairgrounds Park. Due to the size and layout of the area, this will be a two-part installation. This phased approach ensures we provide comprehensive coverage across the entire park without significant service gaps.

Behind the Scenes: Compliance and Outreach

While you see the boots on the ground at the parks, our administrative team is working hard in the office to ensure the long-term health of this project. This week, we are finalizing:

• Sponsorship Packages: Building partnerships to keep this service free for years to come beyond ARPA funding.

• ARPA Compliance: Ensuring every dollar of American Rescue Plan Act funding is tracked and used effectively to meet federal standards.

<hr>The Impact: Why This Matters

For many of our neighbors, this is not just about “free WiFi”: it is a lifeline. By bringing reliable internet to our parks, we are creating outdoor offices for remote workers, study halls for students who need a change of scenery, and a way for everyone to stay connected to essential services like telehealth and job applications. This project is about making our public spaces work harder for you.

<hr>Current Status: Completed and Installed Parks

The list of connected spaces continues to grow. Here are the parks where you can currently find a reliable connection:

1. Amberg Park
2. Benton Park (Newly Finished!)
3. Fox Park
4. Gravois Park
5. Gregory J. Carter Park
6. Hyde Park (Newly Finished!)
7. Ivory Perry Park (Maintenance)
8. Loretta Hall Park
9. MLK Boulevard / Corridors
10. Norman Seay Park
11. O’Fallon Park
12. St.Louis Place Park
13. Tandy Park
14. Tilles Park

*If you have any additional questions, media, or comments surrounding the free wifi project- please email: mccallisterg@stlouis-mo.gov