Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. With 1,298 acres, it is 500 acres larger than Central Park in NYC. It is home to most of the city's cultural institutions. Forest Park hosted the 1904 World's Fair Louisiana Purchase Exposition as well as some events in the 1904 Summer Olympics. How St. Louis got to host both events is an interesting story. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1904_Summer_Olympics Two things the park has in spades are beautiful architecture and lots of grand old trees that make for great views as I run by. Not quite the same as running through a mountain meadow of the Cache Creek Trail or along a mountain stream like in Bozeman but I will take what I can get.
What follows is a series of photos of the sights along a 7 mile loop that starts from my house. To arrive at the park I try to go down different street each time since the neighborhoods between home and the park are kind of interesting. Mind you this is only a small part of the western portion of the park. My mileage is not up to making it to the eastern regions as of yet.
Washington University. In a few years this snapshot will be impossible because there are plans to build dorms or something where those cars are parked. I am told that not long ago that parking lot was green space. Ah, progress at its finest.
The Natural History Museum. Free Admission.
Nellie breaking the law off leash.
A bridge over one of the waterways in the park. As recent as 300,000 years ago the Mississipi River flowed through the eastern region of the park due to a glaciar that diverted water from the main flow of the river. When settlers arrived, this region was swampy, with a few small lakes. The area was subsequently drained and the water was tamed into polite, confined waterways. Although a majority of the River Des Peres flows underground, thanks to the good folks at the Metropolitan Sewer District, the section runnning through Forest Park has recently been restored to flow above ground and link the existing lakes.
A tree inside a tree along a trail just west of the Fine Art Museum.
The World's Fair Pavilion just got a face lift in 2007. When I first arrived in St. Louis and ran by here all the concrete on the stairs and fountains were crumbling and in an unfortunate state of disrepair. The entire hillside was torn up this past summer and remodeling began just about the time we returned. The building is used as an events and banquet center and goes for $1,400 for a weekend wedding reception. 
The trail ahead winding along side the River Des Peres.
St Louis Art Museum. Free Admission. Front, west view. Note the desperate children on the hill trying to sled on 3/4 inch of snow. You can't help feeling a bit sorry for them.
A view of the Art Museum from the east.
Fountains in the Grand Basin Lake lie at the foot of the hill leading up to the Art Museum. Both the museum and the basin were constructed for the 1904 World's Fair.
These trails run through stands of oak that are home to some urban wildlife. Since St. Louis is right smack dab in the middle of a migratory bird superhighway, sightings of an array of birds is the norm. You must click on this link I found of bird photos taken by a local. Each photo was taken at the park. From Kingfishers to Egrets to Kestrel, the variety is amazing. http://webster.edu/~corbetre/birds/park-bird-photos.html
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