Lafayette Park, a nearly 30-acre gem in the heart of St. Louis’s Lafayette Square neighborhood, is celebrated as the oldest public park west of the Mississippi River. Established in 1836 from land once part of the St. Louis Common, the park quickly became a focal point of civic pride and leisure.

Encircled by a graceful wrought-iron fence added in 1869, the park features winding pathways, ornamental gardens, statuary and tranquil water features, including a lake framed by willows. Visitors can still admire statues of George Washington and Thomas Hart Benton, reminders of the park’s 19th-century origins.

Though the 1896 tornado devastated much of its landscape and destroyed many original structures, Lafayette Park was lovingly restored over time and remains a peaceful retreat amid the city’s bustle. Today, its shady promenades, flowerbeds, playgrounds, and open lawns draw residents and visitors alike for picnics, concerts and festivals, continuing a legacy of community gathering that has endured for nearly two centuries.

For information on renting the Park House or the Gazebo, see our Private Events page.

For inquiries on renting the Lafayette Park – Park House, please contact lsba@lafayettesquare.org

For inquiries on renting any other areas of the Lafayette Park, please contact the St. Louis City Parks Department 314-289-5300.