1304 S 18th St, St Louis
Lafayette Park
Considered to be the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi, Lafayette Park has a rich history. Its 30 acres were dedicated as the first public park in the city of St. Louis in 1851. During the Civil War the park was used as campgrounds for Union troops. Near the end of the war, Renowned Landscape Architect, Maximillian Kern created a very impressive Victorian strolling park, which was devastated shortly after by The Great Tornado of 1896. The 1904 World's Fair named Forest Park as the Premier Park in St. Louis, which furthered the decline of Lafayette Park. It wasn't until the late 1960's that Lafayette Square and Lafayette Park started to progress again. Urban pioneers began restoring the homes in Lafayette Square and eventually restored the park as well bringing it to its current glory.
If you wish to explore the park and see some of its rich history for yourself, a self guided walking tour is available to print out with a map and explanation of some of the major sites.
Lafayette Park is home to the Saint Louis Perfectos, a vintage baseball club that plays by the rules and customs of 1860's baseball. Their games are fun and entertaining for all ages! Just don't forget to bring your own lawn chair!
Children will enjoy playing on the fun playground with its slides, ramps, and huge fish bridge!
There are 3 monuments that you can find in the park, a statue of George Washington, one of Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and a Revolutionary War monument. The Revolutionary War Monument features 3 cannons that were resurrected from the British frigate Actaeon which was scuttled during the Battle of Sullivan's Island.
Enjoy Live Music at the Lafayette Park Summer Concert series every other Saturday from June-August. Each summer the Park puts on a Summer Movie series as well where they show popular movies on a giant inflatable screen.
Labor Day Weekend kicks off each year in Lafayette Square with the Gateway Cup: Tour de Lafayette!

Lafayette Park is a hot spot for Weddings, Photos, and other Events. The Park House, The Elizabeth Cook Pavilion, and The Kern Lakeside Pavilion are each wonderful possibilities for your next event! The Park House was built in 1867 as a police station, and now serves as the office for the Lafayette Square Restoration Committee as well as a City of St. Louis police sub-station. It can be rented out for private events as well. The Elizabeth Cook Pavilion overlooks the Grotto and gardens, many weddings are held in this beautiful outdoor space. The Kern Lakeside Pavilion was recently restored and now also has a catering kitchen as well as a patio overlooking the lake.
No matter what type of outdoor activity you are looking for, you are sure to find something fun to do at Lafayette Park!
