Skating towards a more connected St. Louis

For the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Rollin’ on the River marked a new way of bringing St. Louis back to the riverfront.

Launched this Memorial Day weekend, the inaugural event drew families, skaters, tourists and longtime St. Louisans to the base of the Arch in way that provided joy, accessibility and a sense of place. 

“This is our first year doing it, and we’re excited,” said Jason Douglas, senior event manager for the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “The response from the community has been overwhelming. We’re grateful that people wanted this, and we’re glad we were able to bring it to them.”

Rollin’ on the River transformed the Arch grounds into a summertime gathering space with an outdoor rink, music, food trucks and a 200-foot communal table designed to bring people together.

“The goal is really about collaboration and community,” Douglas said. “Bringing people down to their front yard — the Gateway Arch — and letting them know they can enjoy downtown St. Louis and their riverfront.”

For many attendees, that intention landed exactly as the foundation hoped.

CB Trippin’, a local content creator who came out with his children, said the event reminded him of the St. Louis he grew up with.

“It’s bringing nothing but positive vibes out here — and that’s something we need,” CB said. “I grew up in the old St. Louis, where it was nothing but positive. May Day parades, everybody out, no violence. This right here feels almost the same.”

Rob Wilson, who skates regularly at rinks across the region, said he showed up after seeing friends post about the event online. For him, the setting and the soundtrack stirred up memories.

“It reminded me of the good old days,” Wilson said. “My mom and dad skated all the time and brought me along with them. Coming out here brings some of those memories back.”

Organizers described Rollin’ on the River as a way to “bring back those warm, summer memories of hanging out on the riverfront with your family and friends.” Douglas said that feeling is intentional — and that skating, especially in St. Louis, has always been one of the easiest ways to bridge generations.

“Skating brings back those memories of when I was younger — going to Skate King or The Palace on the weekends,” Douglas said. “We wanted to bring that to the riverfront so people can enjoy skating, be active and enjoy this great city. And what better backdrop than the Gateway Arch?”

CB Trippin’ said skating has become a way to keep his own children engaged and active.

“I’ve been skating since I was a kid, but I got back into it about two years ago,” he said. “The world changed — everything is tablets and phones now. I’m trying to get them outside as much as possible. A lot of times they volunteer to be outside now, and I know that came from me already having them out there.”

Rollin’ on the River is part of a broader effort to keep the Arch grounds active, inviting and connected to the community — especially as conversations about downtown’s future continue.

“I believe we all need to have a great relationship with our downtown,” Douglas said. “Just like other cities, we can have a thriving downtown and really enjoy the spaces we’re accustomed to.”

By drawing crowds to the riverfront, supporting local vendors and creating a safe, multigenerational space, the event begins its run as a meaningful addition to the region’s cultural and economic landscape.

“This is a celebration of you, St. Louis,” a statement from Gateway Arch Park Foundation said about the event. “It is a  celebration on the river that made us, under the glowing Arch that represents us to the world – and everyone is welcome. Come roll with us!”

And for many who laced up their skates, it was a chance to create new memories under the monument that sets the St. Louis skyline apart from other cities.

“It’s definitely good for the city,” Wilson said. “Just letting people know we’ve got a lot of good things going on here. Regardless of what you hear [about St. Louis], it’s a cool city — great place, fun people.”

Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.

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