( KTRS ) A new section of the Arch grounds in St. Louis is now open to the public.

On Tuesday the North Gateway section of the park was officially opened.

The garage has been replaced with 7.5 acres of new park area that includes a natural amphitheater area, shaded lawns, a bike and pedestrian path, the “Explorers’ Garden” – a landscape designed for children to play and learn, diverse and interesting plantings, and a scenic raised walkway from 1st St. at the Eads Bridge to the North Overlook on the Arch grounds.

This area will provide pedestrian access from Laclede’s Landing, through the park, all the way to the Arch.

The CityArchRiver group says it hope to have more open in time for Spring 2017.

This is the largest section open to the public since construction on the $380 million project began.