Tower Grove Park
Encyclopedia
Tower Grove Park is a municipal park
in the City of St. Louis, Missouri
. Most of its land was donated to the city by Henry Shaw
in 1868. It is on 289 acres (1.17 km²) adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden
, another of Shaw’s legacies. It extends 1.6 miles from west to east, between Kingshighway Boulevard and Grand Boulevard
. It is bordered on the north by Magnolia Avenue and on the south by Arsenal Street.
The park features 11 pavilion
s of picturesque design, dating from the Victorian era
, which provide shady rests from which visitors can enjoy the many lovely views and tables and benches for picnics. The landscape includes a lily pond and formal plantings; the Piper Palm House, the site of music and other special events; as well as tennis courts; a wading pool for small children; open expanses of green; softball diamonds and soccer fields; and tall specimen trees and a great variety of bushes. The park has been designated a National Historic Landmark
.
Many events, from picnics to weddings, are held in the park throughout the year. During the summer, a number of large festivals are held in the park, including ones featuring themes such as international, pagan, and Gay Pride
. Since 2005, from May through October, a farmers' market is held from 8:30-12:30 Saturday mornings just west of the Wading Pool Pavilion. It features local and organic farmers offering fresh produce and meats, baked goods and preserves, as well as prepared foods and drinks, teas and coffees, with stalls for craftsmen and artisans as well.
The park features nearly 400 species of trees and bushes. It is a well-known birdwatching area, particularly during the spring and fall bird migration
seasons. It is part of the Mississippi Flyway
and migrating birds rest in the park along their journey. Forty percent of North American songbirds and waterbirds use this route. Examples are many types of warblers, orioles, and Canadian geese.
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
in the City of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Most of its land was donated to the city by Henry Shaw
Henry Shaw (botanist)
Henry Shaw was a philanthropist and is best known as the founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden.-Early life:...
in 1868. It is on 289 acres (1.17 km²) adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is also known informally as Shaw's Garden for founder Henry Shaw, a botanist and philanthropist.-History:...
, another of Shaw’s legacies. It extends 1.6 miles from west to east, between Kingshighway Boulevard and Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard (St. Louis)
Grand Boulevard is a major, seven to five lane wide, north-south thoroughfare running through the center of St. Louis, Missouri. Grand runs north through Carondolet Park in the south of St. Louis to the Mississippi River north of McKinley Bridge, about midway between Forest Park and the Mississippi...
. It is bordered on the north by Magnolia Avenue and on the south by Arsenal Street.
The park features 11 pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
s of picturesque design, dating from the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
, which provide shady rests from which visitors can enjoy the many lovely views and tables and benches for picnics. The landscape includes a lily pond and formal plantings; the Piper Palm House, the site of music and other special events; as well as tennis courts; a wading pool for small children; open expanses of green; softball diamonds and soccer fields; and tall specimen trees and a great variety of bushes. The park has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Many events, from picnics to weddings, are held in the park throughout the year. During the summer, a number of large festivals are held in the park, including ones featuring themes such as international, pagan, and Gay Pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
. Since 2005, from May through October, a farmers' market is held from 8:30-12:30 Saturday mornings just west of the Wading Pool Pavilion. It features local and organic farmers offering fresh produce and meats, baked goods and preserves, as well as prepared foods and drinks, teas and coffees, with stalls for craftsmen and artisans as well.
The park features nearly 400 species of trees and bushes. It is a well-known birdwatching area, particularly during the spring and fall bird migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
seasons. It is part of the Mississippi Flyway
Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Mississippi River in the United States and the Mackenzie River in Canada. The main endpoints of the flyway include central Canada and the region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico...
and migrating birds rest in the park along their journey. Forty percent of North American songbirds and waterbirds use this route. Examples are many types of warblers, orioles, and Canadian geese.
Photos of pavilions
See also
- Forest Park, the largest park in the city and site of the 1904 World's Fair
- GazeboGazeboA gazebo is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal, that may be built, in parks, gardens, and spacious public areas. Gazebos are freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides; they provide shade, shelter, ornamental features in a landscape, and a place to rest...
- Lafayette ParkLafayette Square, St. LouisLafayette Square is a neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri that is bounded on the north by Chouteau Avenue, on the south by Interstate 44, on the east by Truman Parkway and on the west by South Jefferson Avenue. It surrounds Lafayette Park, which is the city's oldest public park, created by...
, the first public park west of the Mississippi
External links
- Tower Grove Park, Official Website
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Official Website