2019: A Year in Review at Tower Grove Park
Tower Grove Park is the confluence of St. Louis’ history and its contemporary communities. Located at the heart of our city’s most diverse collection of neighborhoods, the Park is the shared backyard of thousands of lifelong city residents, recent transplants, and new Americans from all walks of life.
The Park welcomes everyone—the fourth-graders on a science field trip, the neighbor on her morning dog walk, the geese who devotedly block Main Drive, and the trees that tower over it all.
Home to native flora and fauna, our public park seamlessly bridges the divide between conservation and community, particularly in an urban environment. Bordered by the neighborhoods of Shaw, Tower Grove South, Tower Grove East, and Southwest Garden, the Park serves a wide radius that includes St. Louis’ most diverse populations. Tower Grove Park welcomes visitors from the global neighborhood of South Grand, the Latino communities of Cherokee and Gravois Park, the Bosnian communities of Bevo, and families from The Tiffany, The Hill, Benton Park, and more. Neighbors can walk some of the busiest streets and bustling business districts to reach a place of nourishing tranquility and recreation.
Here is a summary of the Park’s accomplishments in community, conservation, membership, education, and more for our 2019 fiscal year (July 1, 2018–June 30, 2019).
Community
We partnered with many neighborhood organizations to host annual festivals, like the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, Pagan Picnic, the International Institute’s Festival of Nations, 4 Hand Brewing’s Grace City Wide Fair, Tower Grove Pride, Compton Heights Concert Band, and the St. Louis Classic. We also present signature events like Terror at Tower Grove Park, the Summer Children’s Concert Series, and senior program field trips.
The city of St. Louis completed the Neighborhood Access Improvement Project to improve 21 intersections around the Park.
The Operation Food Search van parked weekly during the summer to offer Food & Fun Club.
After the restoration of the Director’s Residence front entryway, we now offer the villa as the exclusive bridal suite for Piper Palm House weddings.
We expanded our list of preferred caterers—Hendri’s Events, Hollyberry Catering, Salt + Smoke, Seed Sprout Spoon, and The Social Affair—so guests have an array of affordable options for catered events.
A new partnership with Vetta Sports helps offer programs and classes at the Henry Shaw Memorial Tennis Courts.
Conservation
We expanded our interactive, digital map to include Tree Walks.
We hosted the Missouri Community Forestry Council annual conference with a tour led by Forestry Supervisor, Andy Berg. He discussed best management techniques, such as soil management, caring for aging trees, elm injection techniques to manage Dutch Elm Disease, specialized pruning, and support systems.
Berg was also awarded the International Society of Arboriculture 2018 Award of Merit during the Midwestern Chapter luncheon.
With a generous grant from Emerson, we restored the aging porch of the Director’s Residence, a project that followed the National Park Service’s guidelines for historic preservation.
The Landmarks Association of St. Louis awarded the Park the Most Enhanced Award for the restoration of the historic stable complex.
Membership
In the spring, the Park launched a membership drive with a matching gift from long-time supporters, Steve and Nancy Kidwell. It raised over $35,000 that immediately went to preserving the Park.
In 2019, we reached our highest number of members ever. It proves that the community cares, and the space and services we offer are meaningful to the region.
Our annual fundraisers—Flower Power, Pavilion Party, Martinis at the Mansion and Tower Trot 5K—all raised needed funds as well as introduced us to new people who want to give back.
Flower Power on May 15–16 sold out with the record-high attendance.
During the winter days when people often do not think of the Park, our members still give back for the year-end fundraising drive. Our December 2018 drive raised more than ever before, thanks to committed supporters.
Education
We launched Horticulture Programming and Education (HOPE), a series of science classes to students from Tower Grove Christian Academy.
We hosted the Greenhouse Venture, where our Forestry Supervisor, Andy Berg, and Horticulture Supervisor, Steve Hogenmiller, gave presentations to the classes and tours of the Park’s plant life.
We established a Monarch Waystation Garden to help teach students about pollinators and migration.
Our two beehives continue to thrive year to year and teach elementary classes about the importance of pollination.
We have school groups and corporate partners join us for volunteer days. They have the opportunity to plant flower beds, rake leaves, spread mulch, plant or pull bulbs, and more hands-on activities in the Park.
We proudly celebrate another momentous year in Tower Grove Park’s extensive history, finishing 147 years of providing St. Louis with meaningful events and accessible recreation. Our growth and success would not be possible without support from our members, corporate partners, donors, and visitors.
Your support helps us continue Tower Grove Park’s success without compromising any of the qualities that make it such a special place for visitors year-round. The continued health and vitality of a historic wooded park, at the center of a richly diverse urban area, is critical to the vigor of the neighboring communities and a contributing factor to the quality of life for the greater St. Louis region. Thank you.
