Forest Park Forever & the City of St. Louis Celebrate the Opening of the Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape
Pictured from left: City of St. Louis Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry Greg Hayes; Forest Park Forever President & Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth; Forest Park Forever Board member and past Chair Larry Thomas; Forest Park Advisory Board Chair Kelly Harris; City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; and Anne & Doug Albrecht. Photographs by Michael Thomas
On June 1, 2021, Forest Park and City of St. Louis leaders and supporters were thrilled to gather to cut the ribbon on the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape. Attendees heard from speakers including City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth, and City of St. Louis Director or Parks, Recreation & Forestry Greg Hayes.
Less than 24 hours later, the fences that had been up for the two years of construction were down, and visitors of all ages were entering the Playscape with curiosity, enthusiasm and appreciation. All day long, our team heard comments from kids and grown-ups about their excitement at finally being able to visit — and the joy they were experiencing while onsite.
“This is amaze," a little one told his mom, who replied, “You’re right, this is amaze.” A few areas over, a little boy told his father, “Dad, I love this place.”
Photographs by Abby Elizabeth