I don't really feel my question warrants an new thread, but at the same time, I couldn't find one where it made sense, so my apologies. Because of that I've chosen to make it a vague title so if anybody wants to discuss the many great parts of TGP, they can do it here.

With that said, I have a specific question about the park. My girlfriend and I noticed a fenced in area in the middle of the park near the tennis courts, and are curious what it is. The fence is green and tall (the type that would surround a tennis court), and the grass is very short. Looks as if it may be relatively fresh sod. Perhaps planted last year some time. But that's all there is to it. Short grass and a tall fence. I didn't notice any signs, and there were no markings inside the fence. I don't have an estimate on the size of the area, but it's pretty close to a square.

I'm almost certain this isn't intended to be a dog park, but we sure wish that was the plan!

Anyways, curious if anybody knows what it is. Thanks!

Grass tennis courts -

Very few in the country - TGP has them and you can use them if you join the tennis center

http://www.towergrovepark.org/images/PD ... ochure.pdf

This is one of the many hidden gems in STL - things that you think exist only in larger cities

This is one of the many hidden gems in STL - things that you think exist only in larger cities

^ this would be an interesting topic for a thread, but why not expand it here and see where it goes. And for purposes of this exercise, it seems fair to include the entire metro area and not just STL city proper.

There are those who argue that STL is not unique. I say it is, in many ways.

In terms of being a smaller sized city with big city amenities, it is unique. And what would those amenities be?

As noted above, grass tennis courts. What else?

A "velodrome".

A grand city park larger than Central Park in NYC.

An outdoor ice rink. And dozens of other ice rinks.

The Arch.

Grant's Farm.

Light rail through the heart of the region and to the airport.

City Museum.

Many fine microbreweries.

Great restaurant scene.

The SLSO.

The Fox.

Two major medical schools.

A university with one of the top endowments in the country (Washington University)

Three major league sports teams (MLB, NFL, NHL).

UN World Heritage site (Cahokia Mounds)

One of the most impressive pieces of mosaic architecture in the western hemisphere (New Cathedral).

That's where I'll stop. Any one got others?

I don't mean to rip on other cities but when I see some of their "grand parks" I think they just don't hold a candle to Tower Grove Park and Lafayette Park--much less our "Grand" one--Forest Park.

These places weren't built to be just green spaces and ball diamonds.

They were built to be works of art accessible to the general population.

southsidepride wrote:These places weren't built to be just green spaces and ball diamonds.
They were built to be works of art accessible to the general population.

Yes! Tower Grove Park is stunning. I've rarely been to a park where the very placement of the trees seems thoughtful and deliberate...maybe it's not, but I get the sense that this park was "designed" to be a piece of art.

I'm looking to move to Shaw and a huge factor in my decision making process is proximity to TGP. I want TGP to be MY neighborhood park and enjoy it daily.

I'm a Tower Grover myself, and I never tire of the place. It is so picturesque, it seems no matter where you stand you are surrounded by beautiful things at which to look. The one thing I think could be improved upon would be to utilize the little octagonal building just west of the large Greek-style pavilion; I think it must have been a concession stand at one point? It would definitely be nice to be able to get some refreshments in the park when the weather is nice; put some cafe tables around it, I think it would do well. Or perhaps a biergarten?

^ Not sure which building you mean?

Tower Grove Park is my 2nd favorite park in the city to Forest Park.. One thing i can say about St.Louis is that we don't have to immolate NYC for the Central Park feel.. I find TG to be quite mysterious in how long it is but the width is short Also with one of the worlds best Gardens in Botanical Gardens we are rather fortunate to have such amazing amenities here that most cities which they could have . St.Louis has a one of a kind park system and with the Arch grounds Reno we'll be one of the worlds top 20 cities for parks i believe..

Definitely a good thing St. Louis doesn't have to immolate NYC.

jstriebel wrote:^ Not sure which building you mean?

It's just west of where they hold the Farmer's Market - small, non-descript octagonal shaped building, looks like it might be from the 70s or 80s?

^ I believe that was a concession building but older than the 70's.... I think it would be cool if the old auto lot for sale at the gateway to Morgan Ford that is being marketed as a bar/restaurant opportunity would provide park-friendly services... bike/binocular rental, box lunches, etc.

This is great to hear

^Fantastic. Most of my neighbors in Tower Grove East and myself really enjoyed having TGP closed to cars. So much more peaceful, and more people running/biking around. 

They should just make it permanent and allow cars only on special occasions. At the very least they should shrink the streets within the park to half the width. People fly through the park, especially on Tower Grove Ave where the pavement is like 50' for two lane traffic at the narrowest. 

Olmsted said his biggest regret was allowing through-traffic in Central Park.  

flipz wrote: ↑

Jul 16, 2020

They should just make it permanent and allow cars only on special occasions. At the very least they should shrink the streets within the park to half the width. People fly through the park, especially on Tower Grove Ave where the pavement is like 50' for two lane traffic at the narrowest. 

I listened to a member of the park board giving an interview to St Louis on the Air a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that (unfortunately) having the park open to traffic is very important for the sustainability of the park's finances as a chunk of the revenue comes from renting pavilion and bbq space, and I am guessing that most people want to park near those spots. I wonder if a hybrid scheme would be feasible, where you would be allowed to drive in the park if attending an event inside the park. Not sure how that would be enforced.

Perhaps a parking permit system. Rent a spot? Get as many one day permits as you need. Otherwise the streets could be used used by people loading and unloading. Another revenue stream can come from issuing illegal parking citations.

kipfilet wrote: ↑

Jul 16, 2020

flipz wrote: ↑

Jul 16, 2020

They should just make it permanent and allow cars only on special occasions. At the very least they should shrink the streets within the park to half the width. People fly through the park, especially on Tower Grove Ave where the pavement is like 50' for two lane traffic at the narrowest. 

I listened to a member of the park board giving an interview to St Louis on the Air a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that (unfortunately) having the park open to traffic is very important for the sustainability of the park's finances as a chunk of the revenue comes from renting pavilion and bbq space, and I am guessing that most people want to park near those spots. I wonder if a hybrid scheme would be feasible, where you would be allowed to drive in the park if attending an event inside the park. Not sure how that would be enforced.

That didn't sound right to me so I looked up their financials. In their 2019 annual report they list income from "Rental Program" 8% of their total or 205k. I don't know if this is only for the picnic tables and pavilions or if it includes some sort of rental fee from food trucks or the many other events. How much does it cost to rent a table? I think the pavilion rentals barely cover their own cost in upkeep and management. 

https://www.towergrovepark.org/reports

Looks like the city provides ~50% of which some is for capital expenses but it doesn't break it down any further. That 19% of the budget might be to resurface streets in the park. 

I think the neighborhoods around the park are wealthy enough to try and do a fund drive and get some sort of endowment going. 31% of funding already comes from private donors. 

I'd think simply removing two or three of the entrances to the park would significantly reduce car traffic in and through the park while not reducing car access within it (to get to pavilions, ball fields, events, etc...). 

kipfilet wrote: ↑

Jul 16, 2020

flipz wrote: ↑

Jul 16, 2020

They should just make it permanent and allow cars only on special occasions. At the very least they should shrink the streets within the park to half the width. People fly through the park, especially on Tower Grove Ave where the pavement is like 50' for two lane traffic at the narrowest. 

I listened to a member of the park board giving an interview to St Louis on the Air a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that (unfortunately) having the park open to traffic is very important for the sustainability of the park's finances as a chunk of the revenue comes from renting pavilion and bbq space, and I am guessing that most people want to park near those spots. I wonder if a hybrid scheme would be feasible, where you would be allowed to drive in the park if attending an event inside the park. Not sure how that would be enforced.

I've always believed a hybrid would be great.  I have no idea why the streets in TGP are so wide.  They should designate one side of their roads for walking & biking with some permanent infrastructure to separate that and the drivers.