Safety Tips & Information for Visiting Forest Park

• Keep up with road closures and other alerts.

• Early-morning visitors should park in the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center’s east or west parking lots.

• Report suspicious behavior by calling 911.

• Learn more about safely using the dual recreational path that traverses the Park.

• The City of St. Louis Park Rangers are headquartered in Forest Park. City of St. Louis police officers and park rangers actively patrol Forest Park every day.

  • City of St. Louis Park Rangers: 314.289.5350

  • City of St. Louis Mounted Police Horse Stables: 314.444.1290

Prohibited items include but are not limited to the following:

• Illegal substances of any kind

• Grills of any kind (Revised Section Code 11.34.160); grilling pits are available in designated picnic areas

• Tents

• Hammocks (except in the hammock garden near Post-Dispatch Lake)

• Large shade umbrellas

• Unauthorized events, vendors or solicitations (e.g., sampling, giveaways, etc.)

  • To obtain a permit for a restricted activity, contact Jordyn Harps with the City of St. Louis by email (preferred) or phone at 314.289.5300. The City of St. Louis Parks Department currently is not accepting requests for new special events in Forest Park. However, permits remain available for other City parks.

  • Refer to our Key Contacts page for more information about facilities and institutions within the Park.

  • Contact the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry at 314.289.5300 if you have a question about using an outdoor space in the Park.

Wildlife

• For their safety and ours, it is essential that visitors avoid behaviors that encourage human-wildlife interactions.

  • If you encounter wild animals in Forest Park or any park, do not approach and do not feed. This only encourages unsafe human contact.

  • Report injured, sick or dangerous wildlife to the Citizen’s Service Bureau or contact a park ranger at 314.289.5350. Animal Care & Control will respond to a report of wildlife that is injured or poses a safety or health issue, but they will not respond to reports of nuisance wildlife.

  • Do not try to capture or “adopt” an animal, even one that appears young or injured. It’s illegal and does more harm than good. 

• Find more information on how the City of St. Louis handles wildlife issues and additional organizations who may be able to offer guidance on the City’s website.

• Forest Park Forever seeks to provide a positive environmental impact and a home for urban wildlife within the heart of St. Louis. It's part of our daily work! Our expertise have observed that birds, deer, turtles and other plant-eating animals live in Forest Park. This habitat is also home to predators like hawks, foxes and coyotes. The Missouri Department of Conservation is a great resource for learning to live with the wildlife who share our habitats.

Insects

• Chiggers, wasps, yellow jackets and other biting and stinging insects are present in Forest Park. Many thrive in the heat and are very active during the warmer months of the year. Bug spray can be a deterrent, but it is not a solution. Wearing long sleeves and pants tucked into socks offers the best protection.

Dogs and other companion animals

• Unleashed dogs are in violation of Park regulations and City ordinance. If you observe an unleashed dog or dogs, call 911 and contact St. Louis Animal Care & Control by calling 314.657.1500. Animal Care & Control possess the proper training, equipment and authority to handle such situations.