Over 5,000 comments received in surveys about amenity rebuilt in 2003

An aerial-view illustration of the Boathouse renovation includes a wider deck, a permanent roof for the special events pavilion, outdoor bar and bandstand, new perimeter fence and other enhancements.

Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis are beginning a renovation of the Boathouse in Forest Park that will address the venue’s long-term maintenance needs and accommodate its growing popularity as a dining, events and recreation destination.

Originally rebuilt and expanded for dining in 2003 through a Forest Park Forever donor-funded reconstruction, the beloved site’s next iteration will improve the flow of people and services throughout the space for diners, boaters, event attendees and the outfitters, chefs and food service staff who welcome visitors.

Among the planned improvements, which were designed to meet visitor and staff needs:

Interior Improvements

Improved food production capacity and dining room acoustics will provide a better experience for staff and diners.
A bar will be added to the inside dining area of the restaurant.
The renovation will include replaced and upgraded “storefront” windows, which provide diners stunning views of Post-Dispatch Lake, boaters and wildlife.
The Boathouse “annex” building will be converted from its original intent as a boat garage into a full-service event space with a catering kitchen, mobile bar, upgraded restrooms and improved contemporary “storefront” windows with lakeside views.
The boat rental area will include a designated boat rental office and improved boat rental window access.

Exterior

With patio dining and musical accompaniment popular for diners, renovation plans include an outside bar (right), designated bandstand (left) and a larger patio for customer and staff flow.

A new canopy between the restaurant and boat rental/annex building will provide much-needed shade for all.
The aging dock will be replaced, improving customer and staff flow for this popular feature.
With patio dining and musical accompaniment popular in many months, an outside bar and designated bandstand will be installed.
At the north end of the venue, where special events are held, a pavilion, including a fireplace, will replace the tent that currently shelters the space.
The perimeter wood picket and chain link fences will be replaced with a metal picket fence.
The aging cedar shake roof shingles and siding will be replaced.
The patio and pavement will be replaced and steps will be eliminated to improve and ensure ADA accessibility.

Community Input Informs Design

Forest Park has featured a “boathouse” in various forms for over a century. The current Boathouse’s use has outgrown the facility’s 2003 reconstruction and periodic modifications made since then, with its popularity far exceeding what was imagined at the time.

Design for its next iteration, funded by private donors, was initiated due to that growing popularity and related maintenance needs. To help plan improvements that address how the community uses the space today and into the future, Forest Park Forever and its City of St. Louis partners sought public input in spring 2025 for this refresh project.

The Boathouse’s popularity is reflected in the community feedback: nearly 3,700 people responded to in-person and online surveys earlier this year, sending over 5,000 comments. Their responses indicated significant interest in both wait-service and fast-casual dining, improved access to food and boat rental services, and overall enhancements that would make the venue much more attractive to visitors during the winter months.

“From spring blooms to mid-summer nights and fall sunsets, dining and boating at the Boathouse is a beloved part of the Forest Park experience for thousands of visitors,” said Lesley Hoffarth, President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever. “Our nonprofit conservancy is excited to partner with the City of St. Louis to enhance this amenity so that even more of our community can enjoy it, in every season.”

“We appreciate the public input, which is essential to understanding how our community uses Forest Park and its amenities,” said Greg Hayes, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry for the City of St. Louis. “We are very excited that these maintenance and improvement plans will ensure the Boathouse remains welcoming, functional and enjoyable for our entire community and park visitors.”

Boat Rentals and Food during Construction

Construction begins in October and will continue through 2026, with a re-opening date to be determined.

During construction, Big Muddy Adventures will continue to offer boat rentals during its normal operating season through a relocated dock slightly northwest of the existing location. Visit paddleforestpark.com for details on these rentals, which will resume at this location in October.

NOTE: During construction, the Boathouse parking lot will be closed, and access to boat rentals will be from the north. Visitors can park in the Visitor Center lots and take the path through Langenberg Field and over the waterway bridge to the rental dock on Post-Dispatch Lake.

Discussions are also underway to provide alternate food options, such as a food truck, in 2026 during renovations for this refresh project.