What could Hermann Park look like in 20 years? Hilly

A detail of the 2016-2036 Landscape Master Plan for Hermann Park by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates for the Hermann Park Conservancy shows features that will be built on an innovative, elevated structure of green space above the existing large, central parking lot. less A detail of the 2016-2036 Landscape Master Plan for Hermann Park by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates for the Hermann Park Conservancy shows features that will be built on an innovative, elevated structure of ... more Photo: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Photo: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close What could Hermann Park look like in 20 years? Hilly 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Imagine what Hermann Park could be like if the sea of parking in its center was instead a place where children could scamper up a knoll to a "creature forest" and a "swing marsh."

The coolest thing about that idea from Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates? The parking lot would still be there - just where it is, not buried underground - as a kind of "hybrid inside-outside thing" with skylights and natural ventilation.

The knoll would be built above the existing lot.

That's how Van Valkenburgh explained the most spectacular element of his firm's preliminary design for the park's 2016-2036 master plan on Wednesday to members of the Hermann Park Conservancy. The renowned landscape architect and his team also met with other stakeholders and hosted the second in a series of public meetings Thursday as serious discussions get under way about the next phase of improvements to the city's beloved central park.

"It's still early in the process," said conservancy director Doreen Stoller. She wants as much public input as possible before the plan is finalized and presented to the city's quality of life committee next spring.