A flood on Nov. 4, 2024, caused over $1 million in damages to Maramec Spring Park and has led The James Foundation to begin reconstruction and repairs.

Alexander Construction LLC tore down the park store building on Dec. 14-15 and removed the conservation office building. 

“Right now, it’s just a pile of dirt,” said Park Director Wes Swee, who also serves as The James Foundation executive director, which owns and operates the facilities.

Plans include rebuilding the park store and the conversation office to be combined into one larger welcome center.

"We're wiping the slate clean and raising the base of the elevation to four feet above the building floor to get it out of the flood plain for future flooding events,” said Swee. “Flooding hasn’t been this bad in the past; we’re investing the money in it (reconstructing), so it won’t happen again.”

The park has saved timbers from the flooding and will put them in with the new building. March 1, 2027, is the expected completion date.

Swee addressed concerns about where the cafe will be because the park store building is being torn down, which previously housed it.

The new cafe will have indoor and outdoor seating at the new location.

“We’re excited about the investments that The James Foundation is making into Maramec Spring Park,” said Swee.

The park is currently on its off-season hours; the open buildings are the administration building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the restrooms are also open. The museum is closed because of the current schedule.