After two years of construction, the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape in Forest Park will be open to the public starting Wednesday, June 2, according to Forest Park Forever and The City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry.
Located near the World’s Fair Pavilion and filled with both native and diverse plant species, the Playscape is meant to encourage children—and all visitors—to connect to nature and explore with their senses. Various activity areas spanning across 17 acres include a sensory garden, mounds and wetland, spring, and meadow, all connected by paths and boardwalks throughout the area to encourage this natural exploration.
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The design team behind the project consisted of Interboro Partners and Rubus Landscape Architecture from New York, as well as St. Louis’ David Mason + Associates. H3 Studio in St. Louis and the Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State University oversaw the development and continued progress. Forest Park Forever worked on plant installation (300 trees, 700 shrubs, and 40,000 perennials), and the Missouri-based company LanDesign was the general contractor for the project as a whole.
In a statement, Lesley S. Hoffarth, president and executive director of Forest Park, said, “Our team is in the final stages of planting, chip-sealing the path system, and more. We can’t wait to see the Playscape filled with smiles this June—and for decades to come.”
Altogether, the project cost $5 million to design and build and was funded through Forest Park Forever’s $139 million capital, endowment fundraising, donors to Forever: The Campaign for Forest Park’s Future, the Albrecht Family Foundation, and other donors.
Visitors will be guided through the Playscape by signs crafted in collaboration with elementary school students at Biome School, Bryan Hill Elementary, Rockwood Center for Creative Learning, and Sacred Heart Villa. There’s over a mile of walking paths; 1,500 tons of boulders and rocks; 30 tons of play area sand; four boardwalks; more than 1,500 wood stump steppers; five hand water pumps; 2 boot-washing stations; more than 30 benches; seven bike racks; and three drinking fountains.
“We look forward to the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape opening to visitors this June,” Greg Hayes, director of parks, recreation and forestry for the City of St. Louis, said in the press release. “We know how important outdoor green spaces are especially at this time, and this destination will be a fantastic new offering for St. Louisans and visitors to the region.”
Starting June 2, the Playscape will be open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
