Pecan Legacy Park opens this Thursday, October 27

ON BEHALF OF CHESTERFIELD BLUE VALLEY, LLC

Chesterfield Blue Valley, LLC (CBV) announces the opening to the public of Pecan Legacy Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, and presentation of two significant pieces of public art on Thursday, October 27, 2016.  The half-acre park is located off of Blue Valley Avenue near the intersection with Outlet Boulevard in the CBV development.

“This park is a unique amenity that celebrates the pioneering spirit of the Bayer/Brasher family who settled this land in 1852 and continuously resided here for 160 years,” said Dean Wolfe, Manager of CBV.  “The namesake natural feature of the park is a “monarch” pecan tree that was planted by the family in the 1890’s.”

At the ceremony on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., an 8-foot tall bronze statue sculpted by local artist, Julianne Sesti, will be unveiled.  “Pioneer Farmer” and his dog are flanked by two bronze plaques.  One dedicates the sculpture to the pioneer spirit and courage of all farm families in America.  The other lists the resident family lineage of the Bayer/Brasher family. 

“Pioneer Farmer” is an original bronze sculpture in “heroic” scale created for Pecan Legacy Park,” said the sculptor, Julianne Sesti.  “The pose of the late 1800’s attired man depicts a determined and proud farmer at rest in the shade of the pecan tree surveying the fields he has worked.  His panting dog at his side shares the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of a day.”

The second piece of art is a 180 foot functional fence made of corten steel.  Eighteen panels of laser cut art form a mural depicting scenes of early farm family life, iconic wheat and corn and two images of the monarch pecan tree.  Fence artwork was by Missouri artist, Julie Wiegand, and translated by laser into steel by Judy Blythe and Jim Butler of Millstream Metal Works, and can be viewed from the perimeter sidewalk or from the park basin.

“Having my artwork translated into steel is a unique, first time experience,” said Julie Wiegand.  “The iconic wheat and corn panels create a rhythm with the scenes of the family farm.  The two panels of the monarch pecan tree are my favorites,” she said.  The mural fence above the retaining walls on the east and west sides of the park will weather to a rust brown over time.

Chesterfield Blue Valley is a 132-acre mixed use development fronting on Olive Street Road and I-64/Hwy. 40.  The development is anchored by St. Louis Premium Outlets (currently 391,000 s.f. with an additional 79,000 s.f. approved for expansion), and also includes Burlington (55,000 s.f.), Gander Mountain (60,000 s.f.), Cavender’s Boot City (20,000 s.f.), and BP GasMart and Subway restaurant (7,500 s.f.).

CBV is under contract with Silverstone Hotel LLC for the sale of 2.17 acres to construct a 112-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott.  CBV is also under contract for the sale of 3.44-acre Lot 1B to construct a retail strip center.  Approximately 48.6 acres are still available for sale.  The development is zoned for 1,400,000 square feet of retail, hotel, restaurant, entertainment venues and office space.