Forest Park is turning 150, and the whole St. Louis community is invited to the party: celebrate the Park’s birthday on June 24 and experience 150 ways to enjoy this community treasure throughout the next year.

St. Louis’ largest park, which was again voted the best city park in the United States earlier this year, was dedicated on June 24, 1876. On Wednesday, June 24, visitors can celebrate the birthday by stopping by select Forest Park locations morning, noon and evening:

6:30 a.m.: Join GO! St. Louis for a free community run/walk. Meet at the Visitor Center to start an easy 3-mile route. Along the way, stop at a few key Forest Park locations to hear from our friends from the Missouri History Museum, who will share fascinating stories, people and moments that helped shape Forest Park over the last 150 years.

7-9 a.m.: Breakfast in front of the History Museum: Join us in front of the north entrance to the Missouri History Museum, which will provide free coffee, a breakfast bite, and an introduction to the Park Passport.

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Sculpture and ice cream at the Art Museum: Saint Louis Art Museum volunteer educators will be stationed in the Museum’s Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden, ready to engage in conversation about the sculptures, including their histories and the processes for installing and caring for artworks in the great outdoors. Free frozen custard from Ted Drewes—another iconic St. Louis destination—will be available while supplies last, starting at noon.

4 - 7 p.m.: Music, food, skating and more by the Boathouse: Join us for a birthday party for the best city park in the country! We’ll have live music, a photo booth, free birthday treats (1), drinks, tennis and pickleball at Dwight Davis (4-6 p.m.) and community roller skating with Skate Culture! Also joining us will be several authors and artists who are releasing work about Forest Park. Park in the Visitor Center lots and make your way to the Boathouse Beer and Wine Garden.

Forest Park Passport: 150 Adventures in the Park

On June 24, and throughout the next year, visitors can also pick up the new Forest Park Passport, a special booklet with 150 different activities to do in the Park.

“Everyone has their favorite, go-to places and activities in Forest Park,” said Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth. “The Passport is an invitation to learn more about those places and explore new areas and activities you never knew existed in this 1,300-acre community treasure.”

As participants complete activities in the Passport, they can earn prizes and enter a drawing for grand prizes to be awarded in summer 2027.

The Forest Park Passport was developed by Forest Park Forever and the Missouri History Museum, in partnership with all of the institutions that call Forest Park home.

150th Anniversary Events & Commemorative Merch

Information on 150th anniversary activities, as well as merchandise, and other items commemorating the anniversary, can be found here: www.forestparkforever.org/150

Passport Info

How to Get Your Passport

Print versions can be picked up in the Park at several locations found here: www.forestparkforever.org/passport
Digital versions, prize information and additional online activities can also be found at www.forestparkforever.org/passport

Share Your Passport Progress

As you complete activities, use hashtag #forestparkpassport on social media
Tag @forestparkforever and partner institutions

Price

The passport is free.
Almost all of the activities (98%) are free.

About Forest Park Forever

Founded in 1986, Forest Park Forever is a private nonprofit conservancy that partners with the City of St. Louis to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America's great urban public parks for a diverse community of visitors to enjoy, now and forever.

Forest Park Forever has led major fundraising efforts to restore and transform many landmark destinations in Forest Park, including Emerson Grand Basin, the Boathouse, the Jewel Box and the Taylor Kindle River, while creating new spaces that draw more of the community to Forest Park like the Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape and the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts. In 2024, Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis renewed their innovative public-private partnership for the next 20 to 30 years, continuing a shared commitment to sustain Forest Park for all to enjoy. Since this public-private partnership began restoring Forest Park, it has been voted the #1 Best City Park in the United States multiple times.

Today, Forest Park Forever maintains Forest Park with the City of St. Louis; raises funds for and helps manage capital restoration projects called for in the Forest Park Master Plan; delivers experiential educational opportunities to teachers, students and adults; and provides information and guides for the Park’s 15.5 million annual visitors. Not part of the Zoo-Museum Tax District, Forest Park Forever is supported by private donations from throughout the community, including over 6,000 members, 1,100 volunteers and many leading community and corporate partners.

Connect with us at facebook.com/forestparkforever, x.com/forestpark4ever, instagram.com/forestparkforever and on LinkedIn.