PHOTOS: TOP PICKS

Photograph by Sarah Pritt

Pagoda Circle and the Nathan Frank Bandstand are known and loved for their majestic presence and iconic landscaping.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Crowds gather for the St. Louis Symphony Concert on Art Hill on September 27, 2013. This annual event kicks off the Symphony Season and offers St. Louisans a magical night of free music on iconic Art Hill.

Photograph by Todd Owyoung

The 41st Annual Balloon Glow in Forest Park, held on September 20, 2013. This gorgeous photo captured the beauty of the event perfectly.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Sarah Pritt

Photograph by Sarah Pritt

Photograph by Sarah Pritt

Children enjoying a refreshing fountain spray at the Variety Wonderland Playground next to the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center.

Forest Park users enjoy the recreational handball courts behind the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center.

Every autumn, the landscape atop Art Hill becomes flooded with hues of the season. This photo captures the beautiful palette of color decorating the Heels Path near the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Photograph by Randy Allen

The iconic Nathan Frank Bandstand, centrally located in Forest Park, serves as the backdrop for countless wedding and engagement photos each year. 

Photograph by Randy Allen

Crowds gathered September 20, 2013 for the 41st Annual Balloon Glow in Forest Park. This gorgeous photo captured the beauty of the event perfectly.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Crowds gather at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center for one of their numerous summer matches. 

Every autumn, the landscape atop Art Hill becomes flooded with hues of the season. This photo captures the beautiful red maples decorating the land around the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Photograph by Randy Allen

This photo captures The Boathouse — known for its fantastic views and terrific dining — in the middle of winter while a flock of birds fly above Post-Dispatch Lake. Since this photo has been taken, the Boathouse has replaced the pictured rowboats with paddle-boats. 

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

The Jewel Box is known for its unique architecture and gorgeous arrangements.  

Photograph by Randy Allen

This statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, was donated by Mrs. Alice Martin Turner in honor of her late husband, Harry Turner. He stands at the edge of the reflecting pool outside The Jewel Box. For more information on public art check out the Regional Arts Commission's website. 

Photograph by Randy Allen

One of the unique features of the Park is its ability to service the diverse athletic needs of Park users. Here, bikers take advantage of the "Wheels" path located in the Park.

The Jewel Box is known for its unique architecture and gorgeous arrangements.  

Photograph by Randy Allen

The Jewel Box is known for its unique architecture and gorgeous arrangements.  

Photograph by Randy Allen

A beautiful sunset at the Grand Basin, as seen from near the top of Art Hill.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Built in the 1930s, the 75-foot waterfall known as the Cascades is named for the World’s Fair Cascades that ran down Art Hill during the fair. Located on a steep slope west of the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Cascades have been the site for everything from marriage proposals and weddings to family photos and spontaneous picnics.

Recently renovated with a gift from the Flegel family, the Cascades are the starting place for the new Forest Park River and continue to be a popular Forest Park destination.

Photograph by Randy Allen

The Saint Louis Art Museum, founded in 1879.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Families enjoy The Boathouse not only for the great food, but for the other Park visitors swimming nearby. During the summer, one is often able to see a variety of birds, ducks, fish and turtles too!

Forest Park is the track for numerous St. Louis runners. We are also host to several large walk/run events such as this St. Louis Track Club race.

The gorgeous landscaping of Pagoda Circle is a result of the dedicated efforts of the Flora Conservancy and their devoted volunteers.

Photograph by Randy Allen

The trails in Forest Park offer beautiful surroundings during all seasons of the year. The Autumn colors, however, are truly spectacular and are not to be missed.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Even during the colder months, you will find Park goers on the trails. After your outing, stop by the Forest Perk Café and grab a cup of joe or hot cocoa! Winter hours are 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Photograph by Bruce Seymour

Where better to have a picnic than Picnic Island? Located between the Emerson Grand Basin and the Boathouse, this is the perfect spot to take your family or significant other to find a cozy spot under a tree. With natural areas nearby you will also be able to bird watch or spy on turtles while you eat!

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Randy Allen

Art Hill, with the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Photograph by Randy Allen

This photo captures the serenity that is Deer Lake. Come to the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center for a map of Forest Park's trails, including Deer Lake's nature trails.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Evening sledding on Art Hill.

Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2009 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Art Hill has become synonymous with sledding after a grand snow — in fact, it's been a St. Louis tradition since 1905. For more on this history, check out this article from our friends at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Art Hill has become synonymous with sledding after a grand snow — in fact, it's a St. Louis tradition since 1905, For history on this tradition, see this article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Randy Allen

Thursday, February. 14, 2013 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Photograph by Randy Allen

There are many corners of Forest Park to enjoy a quiet book or take in a picnic. This spot along the rock bluffs of the river system is not only secluded, but is surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Known for is majestic presence and iconic landscaping, this photograph of Pagoda Circle and the Nathan Frank Bandstand is certainly a FPF Favorite.

Photograph by Randy Allen

Photograph by Randy Allen

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2009 ©Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Art Hill has become synonymous with sledding after a grand snow — in fact, it's a St. Louis tradition since 1905, For history on this tradition, see this article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

© Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 ©Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr. 

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006 © Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Looking to the east, this aerial shows off the expansiveness of the Emerson Grand Basin at the bottom of Art Hill. 

Looking northward this view encompasses not only Post Dispatch Lake at its center but also Government Hill to the southwest, The Boathouse to the east, and in the distance the Saint Louis Art Museum and Emerson Grand Basin.

The Variety Wonderland Playground offers many accessible playground features such as this disc swing. Children with limited mobility may also enjoy this swing, with the ability to recline and be pushed. The playground is located next to the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center.

A wonderful place to spend your lunch break, the boardwalks at the eastern edge of the Park offer access to enjoy a hidden-away perspective. This is also a hotspot for wildlife sightings.

Box Turtles and Wood Ducks having a party in Murphy Lake; a hidden jewel of Forest Park.

Photo by Calla Massman

This couple is taking advantage of the serenity of Round Lake.

The Deer Lake riffles are a popular spot for the larger birds of the park including Egrets and several types of Heron. 

One of the many ways to contribute to the Park is through our Brick Tribute program. Visit our Memorials & Tributes page to learn more!

A prescribed burn is a common management practice for natural areas. Forest Park has a variety of nature reserves in which this method is used on an annual rotation. Burns helps to control invasive species while giving native plants a chance to grow and thrive. This particular burn took place in the Deer Lake Natural Area in 2011.

These little birds are common in Forest Park's natural areas. Take a stroll along the Deer Lake trails during mid summer and you are sure to see a few!

See if you can find this secluded spot in the Kennedy Forest. It is the only grove of Pine Trees in Forest Park! It offers a great place to relax that is unknown to most, off of the beaten path.

If you are very quiet, you might be able to spot one of these little guys scurrying along the riverway during spring or summer. There is a long stretch of waterway from Lafayette Bridge to Columbus Bridge that they have been seen the most frequently.

Coyotes are not a common sight in the park but every once in a while these beautiful animals sneak their way in!

Photograph by Sarah Pritt