Today, Forest Park Forever and the city broke ground on a $5.8 million project to improve Central Fields.
An important piece of Forest Park is ready for a makeover.
Today, Forest Park Forever and the city broke ground on planned improvements for Central Fields, one of the park's largest, most heavily used spaces (and home to such major events as the Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Glow, as well as LouFest).
Renovations for the 30 acres include four soccer fields and three rugby fields, as well as two restroom facilities, a concession stand, new trails, bike racks, soil improvements for better drainage, irrigated fields, and new trees and landscaping. The $5.8 million project has been funded primarily by private donations to Forest Park Forever.
"This Central Fields project has been on our list for many years, so we are excited about moving into the construction phase,” Greg Hayes, director of the city's Parks, Recreation & Forestry division, said in a release. “We have a fantastic project design that will greatly improve the experience of visitors enjoying an array of activities, from sports to concerts to festivals. Next year will mark an exciting new chapter for this iconic area of Forest Park."
With Central Fields undergoing the makeover this year and next, both the Great Forest Park Balloon Race and LouFest are temporarily moving to new locations, with the former held at Art Hill and the latter at the Upper Muny's Festival & Parking Plaza.
The renovation is part of a multi-year phase of improvement projects in Forest Park.