Funded by Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis, Oakland Playground
is anticipated to open in fall 2021 and will be located just east of iconic Turtle Playground

The City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Forest Park Forever are pleased to announce that construction begins in the coming weeks on an inclusive and accessible new playground on Forest Park’s southern edge along Oakland Ave.

Oakland Playground was designed based on the feedback and ideas of hundreds of area community members who took part in online and in-person surveys and discovery sessions in 2020. Oakland Playground will feature:

• An accessible and inclusive play environment for kids of all ages

• Safe, durable equipment and safety surfacing

• ADA-accessible path and picnic table

• Natural wood elements

• Opportunities for education and interpretive play

With a nod to the beloved turtles nearby, Oakland Playground includes a few turtle-themed elements, including a stump turtle with a slide.

This project, which replaces 1960s-era playground equipment that had been in the same area, blends natural play elements with manufactured play equipment to create a unique playground experience. Construction begins in late July 2021, with the opening anticipated for this fall. Community members can visit forestparkforever.org/oaklandplayground to keep up to date.

“Forest Park has long been a great place to bring children of all ages, and Oakland Playground will add something new for families in a less-traveled part of the Park,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever. “I would like to thank our City of St. Louis partners on another terrific project together and the generous Forest Park Forever donors who made this playground possible.”

“This Oakland Playground project comes on the heels of recent renovations to Forest Park’s Variety Wonderland Playground and the opening of the Park’s new Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape,” said Greg Hayes, Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry for the City of St. Louis. “We know how much families enjoy these free amenities in Forest Park, and I look forward to celebrating the opening of this latest project with the public this fall.”

The design and construction of Oakland Playground is the result of a partnership between Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis. Forest Park Forever would like to thank the generous donors who supported this project.