We have had almost five months of cold, snowy and dreary days. The common theme in St. Louis is Hurry Up Spring! We sat down with the experts in Forest Park Forever’s Land Management team to see what areas in the Park they recommend you take a stroll through in the coming weeks. Plan your route in Forest Park around these spring blooms.
Art Hill
Daffodils and various colors of tulips fill the beds surrounding the Apotheosis of St. Louis statue. The top of Art Hill is also lined with blooming crabapples this time of year — take a stroll through them.
Post-Dispatch Lake Loop
Start at the entrance of Boathouse in Forest Park to view the incredible display of daffodils, tulips and fritillaria that Forest Park Forever’s horticulture team designed and maintains.
Follow the chat path toward Picnic Island, and you will find trout lilies and white bluebells along the way.
Post-Dispatch Lake Loop (Suspension Bridge)
As you pass the Post-Dispatch Lake Riffles, don’t miss an epic photo op of cherry blossoms framing the Suspension Bridge.
Let your sense of smell lead you to your next destination … Pass Picnic Island and make a left at the bridge crossing the Emerson Grand Basin. Continue down the chat path until you reach Government Drive, and the Spanish bluebells (passing the World’s Fair Pavilion) will guide you to your beginning at the Boathouse in Forest Park.
Government Hill
Climb the stairs of Government Hill from Government Drive to be met by several beds (some hidden on your right or left) of daffodils and tulips. Once you reach the top (congratulations — that is a lot of stairs!), walk along the World’s Fair Pavilion for a magically lined display of crabapples.
Jewish Memorial
At West Pine and Kingshighway, the bed designs are show-stoppers in the spring. The Jewish Tercentenary Monument is surrounded by daffodils, tulips and hyacinth.
Crabapples and cherry groves also create a line around the Jewish Memorial.
Behind Steinberg Skating Rink
Take the path behind Steinberg Skating Rink walking up toward Kingshighway to be mesmerized by the grove of saucer magnolias on display.
Murphy Lake
Murphy Lake is a genuinely off-the-beaten-path spot in Forest Park, located between Grand and Lindell. This peaceful, enchanted area brims with hellebores, Koreanspice viburnums and stunning dogwoods.
Magnolias Around the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center
The central hub for visitor information and education will fill your Instagram feed with stunning photos every season, but especially during springtime. There is one magnolia in front that will catch your eye immediately and more in the back to please your senses.
The Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center Beds
As you enter the Visitor Center, stop at the well-loved beds out front or back that are artfully designed with tulips, daffodils, hellebores, hyacinth and flowering onions.
