City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, & Forestry

This week, Parks, Recreation, & Forestry team members proudly stood with Mayor Cara Spencer as she signed Board Bill 9. Thanks to all our employees who go above and beyond for the City of St. Louis and our residents every day.

Exciting news for City workers! This week, I joined employees at all levels to sign Board Bill 9, ensuring a well-deserved $1,000 one-time payment to our dedicated City employees.

This bill is a heartfelt thank you to everyone who works tirelessly to keep our city safe, clean, and vibrant every day. Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed, and this is just one way we’re showing our appreciation.

We know this is only a first step in honoring your service and making St. Louis a top choice for talented workers. In the near future, I look forward to signing another board bill to secure raises for all civil service employees and making our pay range minimums competitive. Here’s to building a stronger city, together!

Join us May 30 at the St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium (SLUGS) to learn from native plant experts as they lead engaging and informative discussions on the benefits of native plants. The Brightside Demonstration Garden will be buzzing with pollinators and excited participants!

You don’t want to miss this! Register on brightsidestl.org!

It’s only $10 to participate or free for those interested in applying for a Neighbors Naturescaping project. For more details and registration visit: tinyurl.com/slugs2026

Our Recreation Centers staff members look forward to helping you make the most of your summer!

The City of St. Louis is committed to creating fun, safe, and supportive experiences for youth all summer long. From summer jobs and camps, to sports and pools, there’s something for kids, teens, and families to enjoy.

Ready to get started? Find program details and register using the link below.

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/live-work/summer/activities/index.cfm

Soulard Farmers Market was the place to be today when the Budweiser Clydesdales came to the neighborhood for a visit.

Today marks a critical step forward for our city, as I stood with President Megan E. Green, STL Recovers, St. Louis Development Corporation - SLDC, City of Saint Louis Water Division, STL Street Department, City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, & Forestry, Board of Public Service, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Greater St. Louis, Inc., and Explore St. Louis to announce the filing of a Board Bill committing $230 million from the Rams Settlement funds to common sense, visible, city-changing investments.

The bill reflects months of diligent conversation and collaboration among elected officials, community stakeholders, and regional partners, all of whom firmly believe in the worth of our city and all of our people.

Decades of systemic disinvestment and the need for long-term recovery from the May 16th tornado have left North St. Louis requiring major resources for critical home repair, housing production, and the capitalization of community-driven neighborhood plans.

Our entire city’s water infrastructure is in widespread need of critical repairs, and we need more funding for projects like street paving and sidewalk repair, and to tackle pervasive city blight from unaccountable absentee property owners.

The economic engine of Downtown St. Louis suffers from diminished vitality and reputation due to long-term vacant buildings and storefronts, an underdeveloped Riverfront, and degraded infrastructure that hinders a safer, more walkable, and economically vibrant core.

Due to these needs, we are proposing $110 million for North St. Louis, $65 million for city-wide infrastructure, and $55 million for downtown revitalization.

We know these investments do not meet all of our critical needs, but we do believe that these investments will create momentum. We welcome support from our investors, partners, and community organizations and we thank them for being with the City.

Help our city’s canopy of trees grow! New trees need water. If your street has new trees, planted in the past 3 seasons, please give them a big drink of water.

Some tips:
Apply 5 to 10 gallons per watering
Water slowly
Water weekly from April-October

Learn more how you can help newly planted trees survive. https://bit.ly/42p1cm3

Thank you to State Farm and its initiative, basketball courts in parks across the City of St. Louis are getting a refresh. The city has received nearly 100 basketball nets through a program dedicated to helping communities replace missing or damaged basketball nets at community courts.

Johntae K. and Kendall P. from our Parks Department installed the first new nets in Sherman Park.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ti4G52