Photo Flood 5: Forest Park

photograph by Jason Gray

St. Louis’ favorite place to relax and unwind is undeniably Forest Park. Opened in 1876, this 1,371-acre green space is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and hosts many attractions including the St. Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, The Muny (a municipal theatre), and Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, among others. It is also a fabulous place to walk; I have personally spent countless hours wandering the trails of the John F. Kennedy Forest and beyond.

photograph by David Moore

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

photograph by Patrick Gioia

photograph by Jeni Kulka

As evidenced in many of these photographs, the park takes on a magical quality after dark. Exploring the seemingly infinite paths in this context provides a restrained counterpoint to the daytime hustle and bustle. At times, it feels almost as if you might have the whole thing to yourself. That is, until you turn a dark corner to reveal a busy ice skating rink (the largest outdoor rink in the Midwest), or a spinning carousel full of smiling children. Also, you could do as we did, and stop for a drink at The Boathouse overlooking the glistening water of Post Dispatch Lake.

photograph by Amanda Krebel

photograph by Jeni Kulka

photograph by David Moore

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

photograph by Patrick Gioia

photograph by David Moore

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Mandi Gray

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Amanda Krebel

photograph by Mandi Gray

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by David Moore

photograph by Jeni Kulka

photograph by Jason Gray

The Map:

Our end point in Forest Park was the Boathouse on Post-Dispatch Lake. The night was freezing cold, but we warmed up quickly with their Boathouse Ale (brewed by Schlafly), and yummy dinner options. A few more Ales, and we might have even tried to rent a paddleboat…

photograph by Patrick Gioia