CWEnder John Marlow, grand pooh-bah of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, was singled out by Lyda Krewson Tuesday evening at a large gathering in her honor at Basso at the Cheshire Inn (yes Basso is in the 28th Ward). Earlier, John had shared the news that Travel & Leisure named Forest Park one America's "coolest city parks." The magazine ranks Forest Park as 10 out of 14; first place goes to New York City's Governors Island, not, as you might expect, Central Park.
According to the article, "Parks play a big role in making a city
desirable for both locals and visitors." That was certainly the case on a recent Friday afternoon when there was something going on in every corner on or near The Muny grounds. Actors were in rehearsal for the current production of Shrek while nearby a lively group of campers took a lunch break, above.
A wedding party used The Muny's beautiful entry as a backdrop for photos hours before the majestic space would be packed with theater-goers.
And in a nearby meadow children were learning how to paint with oils during a summertime art class.
When I was leaving the Chase Hotel recently I overheard a hotel guest say to her friends, "I could totally see living in a place like this with the park (Forest Park) right there." Forest Park may be number 10 on Travel & Leisure's list, but it's the coolest of them all to St. Louisans who've been enjoying what it has to offer for generations.
P.S. To John Marlow: For Travel & Leisure to suggest September as the best time to visit Forest Park because of the Balloon Race is a real tip of the hat to your continued work on an event that makes such a contribution to the City of St. Louis, and Forest Park. Thank you!
I love Forest Park and can’t imagine this city without it. I often just find a bench and sit for a half hour to restore what little sanity I have left—- MUCH better than therapy and it’s all FREE!