The Oldest Known Park in Missouri is Over 170 Years Old

Knowing that spring is around the corner got me thinking of parks, and walking in nature (cause I love doing that). In researching I found the oldest park in Missouri is located close to the Tri-States.

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Just outside of St. Louis is Lafayette Park, which was founded in 1838. Although this is the oldest known area west of the Mississippi River, it's not the biggest. the biggest park is 46 times bigger the Lafayette Park and that honor goes to Forest Park.

My family and I love visiting Forest Park having a picnic, going to the zoo, or just walking through it, but it's GIANT and sometimes you need something a little smaller. Not that Lafayette Park is small, it sits on 30 acres and is one of the largest parks in St. Louis just not as big as Forest Park.

Lafayette Park was set aside from the St. Louis Common in 1836 and dedicated in 1851 as one of the first public parks, and by far the largest of its era, in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. It is considered by many historians to be the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi.

The park has a few venues that you can check out. Including the lake, Revolutionary War Cannons, the George Washington Statue, the Lafayette Park House, and a lot more. So, while we wait for spring to come and the weather to warm up you should put this park on your things-to-do list for 2024.