ST. LOUIS • On a 91-degree day, with no trees to block out the sun, the dusty construction site of the North Gateway doesn’t look too appealing.

But come this fall, the 7.5-acre development at the north end of the Arch grounds will be home to a bike and foot path, amphitheater area, children’s play area and more.

The park space embraces its gateway roots, featuring a meandering pathway inspired by the Mississippi River and a garden filled with “plants Lewis and Clark would have seen on their journey west,” according to Ryan McClure, CityArchRiver director of communications. The organization gave media a tour of the site Wednesday.

The park has been entered in a contest with 19 other national parks, run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. If the park garners enough public votes to rank in the top 5, it will win $250,000 to put toward renovations of stairs connecting the north and south overlooks with the riverfront. Voting is open until July 5. Currently, the park ranks 16th out of 20.

The project is expected to cost up to $3 million, McClure said.