One of the most beautiful urban parks in the world is in the City of St. Louis.
Forest Park was dedicated on June 24, 1876, coinciding with the centenary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
The 1,300-acre park encompass woodlands and waterways, recreational areas, dual pathways, prairies and awe-inspiring landscapes. Forest Park is also home to world-class institutions that challenge the mind, and various popular festivals and events set in St. Louis City’s urban habitat.
In their remarks, the Park's founders highlighted the vision that St. Louisans wanted a park that "the rich and poor, the merchant and mechanic, the professional man and the day laborer, each with his family and lunch basket, can come and enjoy his own ... all without stint or hindrance ... and there will be no notice put up to 'Keep off the grass.'"
The nonprofit conservancy Forest Park Forever upholds that vision today.
Help us sustain Forest Park FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The video below is an overview of the Park’s cultural institutions and most iconic locations. Scroll past the video for more Forest Park facts and resources.
Facts About Forest Park
Dedicated: 1876
Free
Owned by the City of St. Louis
Maintained by the City of St. Louis’ Parks Department, and the City’s Division of Parks, Recreation and Forestry in partnership with Forest Park Forever
Home to five major cultural institutions: the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, The Muny and the Saint Louis Zoo
Location on Google Maps
Park-wide events calendar (not inclusive of all happenings in Forest Park)
1,300 acres
2.5 nautical miles of waterway
15.5 million annual visitors
47,000 trees
3 playgrounds (not including a 17-acre Nature Playscape)
Forest Park Master Plan is on this City of St. Louis website
Host of 1904 World's Fair
“I present to you, the people of the County of St. Louis, your own, this large and beautiful Forest Park for the enjoyment of yourselves, your children and your children’s children forever . . . The rich and poor, the merchant and mechanic, the professional man and the day laborer, each with his family and lunch basket, can come here and enjoy his own . . . all without stint or hinderance . . . and there will be no notice put up, ‘Keep Off the Grass.”
