TRANSFORMATIONS GALLERY

Recognized as one of the most iconic places in our city, the Emerson Grand Basin was renovated in September of 2003. After years of disrepair, the Emerson Grand Basin now serves as the backdrop for countless prom and wedding photos each year.

Recognized as one of the most iconic places in our city, the Emerson Grand Basin was renovated in September of 2003. After years of disrepair, the Grand Basin now serves as the backdrop for countless prom and wedding photos each year.

Recognized as one of the most iconic places in our city, the Emerson Grand Basin was renovated in September of 2003. After years of disrepair, the Emerson Grand Basin now serves as the backdrop for countless prom and wedding photos each year.

The original site of the U.S. Government and Missouri Pavilions during the 1904 World's Fair, Government Hill was renovated in to its current glory in 2007. Due to its iconic positioning at the base of the World's Fair Pavilion, Government Hill has become a popular spot for ceremonial photos, leisure and relaxation.

The island in the center of Pagoda Lake was the site of the Park’s first bandstand, also called the music pagoda. The original pagoda, built in 1876, was deemed unsafe and closed in 1911. It was damaged beyond repair by storm, the wreckage burned and was torn down around 1912. It was replaced by the Nathan Frank Bandstand in 1925. Donated by Nathan Frank, the bandstand was designed by Heffensteller, Hirsch and Watson. Pagoda Circle was restored in 2000.The landscape, designed by the firm of Oehme van Sweden, was planted by volunteers from the Flora Conservancy, planting over 27,000 bulbs in only four days!

Opened in 2021, the 17-acre Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape transformed a previously little-used section of mowed turf and trees into an engaging space for outdoor play and beauty. Today, Park visitors enjoy the accessible path through its multiple plant zones in every season, while educators lead field trips for thousands of students each year, encouraging nature exploration and outdoor play.

Located in the heart of Forest Park on Post-Dispatch Lake, the Boathouse was renovated in June 2003. The Boathouse now offers year-round dining opportunities, special event spaces and boat rentals. Feel free to visit their website for more information.

Built in 1909 with proceeds from the 1904 World’s Fair held in Forest Park, the World’s Fair Pavilion and Government Hill received a transformative renovation by Forest Park Forever beginning in 1998, restoring a majestic space open to the public and also available to rent as a beautiful events amenity.

Home to countless weddings and special events each year, the Jewel Box underwent a major renovation in 2002. These renovations included removing all of the old plants and trees and reconfiguring the planting areas to the sides of the building, leaving the interior free. Gone are the trees that climbed to the top of the building, obscuring the light. Now the Jewel Box is flooded with sunlight that pours in through the top tiers of glass and illuminates the plants below. For more information on the Jewel Box, including facility rental, visit the City of St. Louis' website.

Originally the Lindell Pavilion, this historic structure was built in 1892 as a shelter for streetcar passengers and was remodeled in 1914 for use by golf and tennis players. A 1925 fire destroyed most of the original building, leaving only the clock tower, which was incorporated in the replacement structure. The structure was renovated in October 2005 and became known as the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center. Learn more about this space here.

Aviation Field was established in 1920 as a landing strip for airmail service between St. Louis and Chicago, which ended in 1921 following federal budget reductions. Private pilots then used the field for exhibition flights that drew huge crowds. Eventually, the field came to host a variety of athletic events, though in time it was greatly in need of restoration. The field was renovated in spring 2003, with new concessions, restrooms, reconfiguration of all fields for multiple uses and, most importantly, no net loss of existing tress or open space.

Donated to the City of St. Louis in 1919 by the U.S. Army, this former airplane hangar housed the Forest Park Division of the St. Louis Mounted Police from 1970 until 2007, when lead paint was discovered in the building. The police and their horses were displaced to different locations throughout the Park. With an anonymous gift of $900,000 raised by Forest Park Forever, the Stables reopened in October 2013. The repairs included a new roof, lead and asbestos abatement, new fencing, landscaping and refurbished offices for the officers. Learn more here.

Donated to the City of St. Louis in 1919 by the U.S. Army, this former airplane hangar housed the Forest Park Division of the St. Louis Mounted Police from 1970 until 2007, when lead paint was discovered in the building. The police and their horses were displaced to different locations throughout the Park. With an anonymous gift of $900,000 raised by Forest Park Forever, the Stables reopened in October 2013. The repairs included a new roof, lead and asbestos abatement, new fencing, landscaping and refurbished offices for the officers. Learn more here.

Hidden Creek Savanna, one of Forest Park's Natural Areas, is typically a great area to spy a variety of butterflies. However, over time, hardy grasses had started to take over this beautiful site. With a much needed prescribed burn in the spring of 2013, the native flowers were given a chance to flourish, giving butterflies a reason to populate this area once again.

Thanks to a generous donation, Forest Park Forever was able to clean up and replace the invasive plant species taking over the river's edges along a significant segment of the river system with native species. The transformation has been great; improving runoff filtration, increasing natural habitat for animals and insects, and providing beautiful displays of native flowers through the spring and summer.