The Whitaker Foundation awarded a $200,000 grant to restore and enhance the historic urban forest at Tower Grove Park. Funds will be used to rejuvenate the health and diversity of the remarkable collection of trees that was first begun in 1868 by Henry Shaw to be a resource of recreational, educational and cultural value for the people of St. Louis. The grant also includes a challenge opportunity whereby Whitaker will provide an additional $150,000 in match funds if the park meets the total amount dollar for dollar before the end of the grant period.
Tower Grove Park is home to a remarkable collection of more than 8,000 trees and woody shrubs of over 300 varieties, more than in any other urban park in America. Tower Grove Park is the second largest park in the city of St. Louis with 289 acres of greenswards, restored Victorian structures, bronze statues of heroic scale, fountains, urns, lily ponds and exquisite mock classical “ruins.” Over $15 million has been invested in restoring the park over the past 15 years, most of it raised by park supporters. It is one of only a handful of urban parks in the United States designated as a National Historic Landmark.
For more information about Tower Grove Park or how you can assist in the matching challenge, please contact Shaughnessy Daniels at (314) 771-4454.