Lack of Maintenance Cannot Spoil Beauty of Fairgrounds Park
When I arrived at Fairgrounds Park on Saturday for the Jeff Smith 3 on 3 basketball tournament the large crowd was having a great time enjoying the mostly pleasant weather and all the activities. I briefly watched some of the guys on the courts and chatted with the host Sen. Jeff Smith as well as Mayor Francis Slay (sans body guard!) and License Collector Michael McMillan. Despite all the tournament activity, I was drawn into Fairgrounds Park.
So, I went for a walk…
I had driven my car and ridden my scooter beside and through Fairgrounds Park numerous times but I had never just taken a casual stroll. Wow, what a gorgeous park! I’m really a sucker for bodies of water — especially those with cattails. Note the long-dead tree to the right.
The park has a very interesting history, here is an excerpt:
In 1855 a group citizens founded the “St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association,” which held annual fairs starting in 1856. Prominent citizens, under the leadership of Colonel J. Richard Barrett, founded the venture, which was not intended to pay dividends. All profits were to expand and beautify the fairgrounds.
A zoological garden was added in 1876 consisting of a monkey house, bear pits, and carnivore house, which were modeled after the finest European zoological buildings. Later additions were an aviary, outdoor pens for herbivorous animals, a lake and a grotto.
The last official fair was held in 1902 after which it was abandoned while preparations were under way for the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair. Another blow to the fair’s revival was the abolition of horse racing in Missouri in 1905.
After protracted political debate, the abandoned 132-acre fairgrounds was purchased for park use by the city for $700,000 in 1908. With favorable interest by the park commissioner and the skill of landscape architect George E. Kessler, the park was dedicated on October 9, 1909.
Well, Kessler did a great job laying out the park.
The big tree above is just a wonder — the branches extend so far from the trunk. In the background you can see some of the homes along Natural Bridge that get to enjoy the beauty of the park from their front porches.
Sadly, the park just doesn’t feel cared for. Sure, the grass is cut and the trees are generally well pruned.
Most of the walkways are asphalt in good to poor condition. In numerous places I saw where the grass was worn next to the walkways, presumably by park vehicles.
Broken asphalt, rather than nice paths, send a message to the user that the area isn’t politically that important.
The stunning bridges are in generally good condition but lack of care shows here as well.
You see markings on the walkways, possibly gang code?
On a bridge railing too you see coded messages as well, I rather liked this drawing of the Arch.
Like in many city parks, the public restrooms have been closed for years. This building type was used throughout city parks.
A newer park building has worn paving at the entrance.
The walkway above is broken up and stops suddenly.
A main path, one of the few in concrete, leads to one of the bridges.
Money is tight but I have to ask. Did we reduce park upkeep because of the deterioration of the surrounding neighborhood or did the neighborhood deteriorate in part because of the diminished presence of the park? Most likely it was a combination of both. Still, I see efforts in parks such as Carondelet Park to have a long-term master plan that is slowly achieved. For local residents I wonder if the park is seen as a great place or one more reminder of a city that has given up on the north side?
All my photos from this series, including a few of the actual event, can be viewed here.
I never even knew this park existed until you just posted about it. It’s a shame that this portion of the cities history has been mostly lost. I’ve always wondered about the church and the large tower that are right around Grand as viewed from highway 70 as I pass by, and it would appear that they are in the general vicinity of this park as well.
Thank you for shedding some light on Fairground Park. I too find the the park grounds to be beautiful, and find it a shame to be in such bad condition. There is, in fact, a Masterplan that was recently completed for the City of St. Louis for Fairground Park. I know this because I worked on it. It is the third instance of a masterplan for a city park behind Forest Park (of course) and Carondolet, and I think there is another in the works as we speak.
Unfortunately North St. Louis parks do not get the attention they deserve. The poor state of the park (in reference to the question you posed) is in my opinion a microcosm of what happened to North St. Louis as a whole, and is not a question easily answered.
Let’s hope the Masterplan can be achieved to some acceptable level sooner rather than later.
I’m under the impression that most of the improvements seen at Forest Park and Carondelet are funded from monies raised via private donations–not from the City’s general budget. If so, then restoration of Fairgrounds’ would have to start by embarking on a similar capital campaign.
How the park got where it is seems less interesting than how it can get out of where it is. Forest Park is a regional draw, and thus can garner donations regionally. Carondelet draws somewhat regionally, with the concerts and the Tuesday Night bike races, and sports practice/playing fields. However, I suspect that, at least right now, Fairgrounds only draws from its immediate area, and its immediate area isn’t flush with wealth. Moreover, the current patrons do not seem interested in taking care of the park, as evidenced by the graffitti.
Carondelet and Forest Park have had their share of crumbling infrastructure over the years; it’s only in the last few that crumbling pavement and walkways have been addressed. Access to bathroom facilities is still hit-or-miss, even in parks with no cash flow issues like Tower Grove.
I’m saddened at the neglect of Fairgrounds, but care starts at home. Look at those photos–I don’t see a single person out in the park. Head to lots of other parks and you’ll see people using the park–fishing, enjoying the outdoors, walking, or reading a book. Much as I dislike what politicians have done and continue to do to stratify our city, I’m not ready to give them the blame for Fairgrounds’ woes. The citizens of the area aren’t doing their part, either. Let there be an investment of time–sort of an Operation Brightside for Fairgrounds–where the city provides resources and some supplies, but the people provide the labor. Then, I’d be happy to see more of my tax dollars invested, because I would like for it to become a place where I’d be willing to take my kids.
A wonderful photo essay. I used to pass this park every day on my way home from Beaumont High School. I am saddened by the deterioration of north St. Louis, especially my former neighborhood, Walnut Park, in northwest St. Louis. Local media give little attention to these areas. I am nostalgic about a neighborhood that perhaps will never again fit the images in my memory, but I still love to see glimpses into it.
Kudos to the citizens who are trying to make St. Louis a desirable destination once again. And kudos to the publisher of this newsletter. Keep up the great work!
Best,
Mary Herbert
(born in St. Louis, and proud of it)
Chris pointed out that Fairgrounds did not seem to see much usage. This seemed to suggest that maybe the local populace doesn’t quite appreciate the park.
I can’t believe that a lack of appreciation exists or has much to do with it. I’d just like to point out that usage would seem to be a function of the economic health of a region. It is hard to find time to take a stroll in the park when you have to work two jobs to make rent. Strong economic growth policies applied to the neighborhood may have as positive an effect on the park as anything.
Great post on Fairgrounds! Just thought I’d mention that there are efforts to revive the park and rally around the community resource. Last month’s “Community Days” festival sponsored by the Historical Society and the Whitaker Foundation offer a glimpse of how the park can serve as a way to bring the community together. Look for “Back to School in the Park” on August 18th.
Steve good post on Fairgrounds. It could be another jewel in the crown of St. Louis parks like FoPa, TG, Carondalet, and Laf Park. Penrose in North StL is kind of cool too. I suspect Cleeland hit on the key to success, and it is the “regional draw” (bringing in people from the surrounding counties). The park needs something. A museum, fancy garden, miniature eifel tower, theater, old airplanes, junkyard sculptures, performing fountains, concrete turtles, a castle, giant windmill, old firetrucks, ice rink… something. Last time I went by FG it looked there were no bushes or smaller trees. It seemed like you could look across the entire park and it wasn’t broken up into rooms or sections. I didn’t like that. I figured that was intentional for safety reasons. For where the money goes, the city could do a better job spreading it around. FoPa I think gets to much but as was pointed out some of it comes from private money which goes to where it’s intended but I don’t way to imply I’m not appreciative of it.
Parks in most cities are chronically underfunded, especially on the maintenance side. The political reality is that it’s easier to get funding for a new or renovated recreation center or picnic pavillion or playground than it is to “find” money in the budget for basic maintenance. Politicians want to go to ribbon cuttings, and there aren’t a lot associated with removing graffitti or repaving worn paths. Combine that with the inherent inequity in funding that comes with dedicated private sources (as in Forest Park Forever), and it’s no surprise that some parks look better than others . . .
The one olther thing missing from Fairgrounds Park is a heavy tree canopy. Unlike the major central and southside parks, there just don’t seem to be as many trees here, adding to its comparatively barren apperance, even in areas that aren’t sports fields. The question then becomes were the trees lost (due to old age and/or Dutch Elm disease) and simply not replaced, or were the trees never planted in the first place?
I am doubtful that any amenities in Fair Grounds Park will attract people regularly from surrounding counties.
The goal should be to have citizen group backing and private funding like with Carondelet or Francis Park to make up for the funding gap or non-existance. The park may have to wait for significant improvements until gentrification spreads into north St. Louis for citizens to demand greater investments. Other scenarios are more taxes or increased tax revenue in the City as a whole generated by revitalizing downtown, CWE, and South Grand. But those people will clamor for their wealth to be spent where they have moved to leaving Fair Grounds behind in fiscal distribution. Hyde Park, Old North St. Louis, areas surrounding O’Fallon Park, and neighborhoods immediately south of Fair Grounds and southeast present large homes or townhomes built for an upper class population originally. If these homes were to attract gentrifiers than they will have the clout to clamor for a better park, schools, streets, etc. Politicians pay attention to money and those who have it. Sending Metrolink up Florissant and along Natural Bridge would be one way to aid this process.
Bulldoze it for Mary “One” Johnson’s new housing vision.
I thought the new BJC lease was supposed to aid our parks with a new infusion of cash. [End sarcasm] It is a shame that the park is in neglect but should the gentrifiers move back into the neighborhoods the park with improve as well. It will take efforts of local residents, neighborhood associations (NAs) and their pocketbooks to improve the situation. Look at Wilmore Park’s new dog park (Southampton NA) and the classic example of Francis Park which is largely improved (see new children’s playground) by the St Louis Hills NA.
The city and metro had best get in there now with a line down Florissant before the eventual return of residents to complain about noise and construction. 🙂 Maybe that statement’s just too optimistic on all fronts.
I understand why private entities like to help “their” park, whether it’s Francis or Forest. What I don’t understand is why the city doesn’t require a more uniform distribution of total resources. If, for example, Forest Park is recieving $2 million + from dedicated, outside sources, there should be at least $1 million available (that used to be dedicated to FP) that can be redirected to other parks with similar or greater “needs”. Just because rich areas can afford to subsidize, there shouldn’t be a “separate but equal” philosphy when it comes to taking a hard look at the annual and limited Parks budget! And no, I’m not advocating a dollar-for-dollar reduction in funding (redirect too much and you’ll have no private participation), I’m advocating for looking at the needs of the system as a whole and making sure every park receives a fair share of the combined resources.
I don’t see why non-profits like Forest Park Forever don’t expand their responsibility to include lesser maintained parks. Like its been said before, they are the richest park. I’m sure they can use their influence to build interest in a fund raising campaign. There needs be some sort of cross branding. I think having a well cared park would give reasons for homeowners to improve their homes. (and hopefully landlords)
theoretically, Jim, that’s what was going to happen–all of the funds previously dedicated to Forest Park were going to be used to take care of other parks. ask your alderman what happened on that ….
so far as FPFaW, Tower Grove, Tilles Park, etc associations sharing–it’s hard enough to get donations for one focused purpose, much less one as diffuse as all the parks.
One other thing, I know those streetlights are for safety, but my are they ugly. At least replace them in the parks.
I like the idea of private individuals or benefactors funding renovation projects in the park. It is a lovely park indeed, it started as an actual Fairgrounds maybe during the 1904 Worlds Fair, that is why there are open spaces, there are some tree’s but they are not as dense as some of the other parks. I think a lot depends on the alderman also on how he would like to fund the park, I beleive a lot has been done in that park, as far as fixing Vandervendor, putting newer parking slots in, a skating rink, so there has been a lot of capital funds put in.
I think a real nice Water Park would be a great idea, like the ones you see in the surburban parks.
Fairground Park is the planned site of the new Public High School Football Stadium (to be funded privately).
I used to live in this area, and my family and I used to enjoy this park everyday. Unfortunatly, the City of St.Louis Parks and Recreations, don’t show much interest in this part of town. Several times while walking down the paths, we were forced to move out of the walkways, intended for walking, by the park maintence workers. The attendents were rude, the upkeep of the parks was terrible. Once a dead dog killed on Natural Bridge, sat in one of the parks wastecans for over a month. I love the city, but you couldn’t pay me to live anywhere near the North Side again. We got so tired of the broken glass on the sideways and grass, littering, loitering, and late night group sessions gathering in the park(a threathening group of people I might add) Fairground is really nice, really spacious, I just pray that someday the people in the neighborhood would take more pride and demand the City to make much needed changes. Peace.
Since this was originally posted in 2007, I thought it would be fitting to share updates to this blog. I live a few blocks north of Fairground park and East of O’Fallon Park. 3 years ago I started a yahoo group for the O’fallon and Fairground communities. Due to multiple issues the site was not well recieved. A few months ago the site was changed to StL_3rd_Ward. It continues to be a yahoo group and can be found by searching on the yahoogroups.com site. Since changing the name in early April 2009, the site’s participation has boomed. The group has planted flowers in 20 barrels in the community. Seven of which are located at Warne and Kossuth on the perimeter of Fairground Park. Though the city may place barrels they do not consider it their responsbility to care for them. The planter/barrels are in full bloom of mums, geraniums, lambs ear, sweet potato vines, violas, dianthus, morning glory, begonias and so much more. The group spans the whole 3rd ward but, daily looks for ways to engage local citizens to improve our community. While caring for the barrels we have had many of the neighbors comment how nice it looks.
We continue to have the challenge of park workers focusing primarily on the minimum of cutting the grass and cleaning up trash. We recognize that to impact changes to our community, it will take time and diligence. On the other hand, part of the problem in the past is the local community did not report situations in the park that were in ill repair such as the graffiti noted in the pictures. Weekly we survey the park and the surrounding community to report needed repairs.
Other great things that are going on in the park, is we have a roller skating rink that is used by the neighbors. Our swimming pool is now open, there are constantly people fishing in the lake which is good to see. The children’s playground has been replaced including the ground surface, which is the same type of surface as Carondolet park.
Is it a panecia yet? No of course not, there’s lots more to do! Just yesterday I requested CSB to deliver leaf mulch and soil as we currently only have mulch. It is located behind the brick bear pit and you must take a off street park road to get to it. Maybe a sign would be helpful “follow this sign to free mulch”. There are a few picnic tables out in the park but most are stored behind locks and are distributed by request. There needs to me more trash cans, they need to be emptied more regularly, more flowers need to be planted by the park department….. the list can go on and on. But to answer the initalposting question.
Yes, people do care.
Energy is being spent to make things better.
And the citizens are looking for ways to hold our city departments more accountable.
So, take a moment, drive through Fariground Park and see for yourself…..You just mght be surprised