NextStop Blog

Metro transit is planning extra MetroLink service Friday evening to accommodate people who are going to the Balloon Glow at Central Field in Forest Park. The Balloon Glow is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

If you are taking MetroLink to the annual event, take the train to the Central West End Station, then make a right on Euclid, then a left on Children’s Place, crossing Kingshighway into Forest Park to Central Field. It’s approximately one mile from the Central West End Station to Central Field or about a 20-minute walk.

Attendees can also take MetroLink to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station, then walk south on DeBaliviere toward the Missouri History Museum. From the History Museum, walk east past the Visitors Center toward the Muny to Central Field. It’s approximately one mile from the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station or about a 20-minute walk.

Metro will operate additional trains in anticipation of large crowds at the Balloon Glow. Metro will NOT be operating special bus shuttle service to or from the event.

Due to street closures and traffic congestion because of the Balloon Glow, the #90 Hampton MetroBus route will NOT operate in Forest Park Friday night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The #90 Hampton route will be detoured around Forest Park during that time. The #3 Forest Park Trolley will be operating in Forest Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday but will NOT serve the Upper Muny parking lot or Steinberg Rink stops during those times.

The Balloon Glow in Central Field is a walk through event only. Motorists are not allowed in that area, which is on the east side of Forest Park.

Click on the links below to print out directional maps from the Central West End and Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Stations.

Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station to Central Field (PDF)

Central West End MetroLink Station to Central Field (PDF)