New plan unveiled to connect St. Louis to its riverfront

"The theme of the design is really to put the people in contact with the river," said Diana Balmori, a New York-based landscape artist who led the design project. "As much contact as possible."

Her design certainly provides that - any more contact with the river would require a snorkel.

The vision is to have the riverfront extend into the river itself onto two groups of floating islands that reach into the water like a pair of giant butterfly wings. The islands, which would be connected by floating bridges, would feature walking paths, bike trails and even a swimming pool that would be converted to an ice skating rink in the winter.