My Happy Place

CeCe’s Musings

Mar 05, 2024

Prompt: My Forest Park Morning

Dusty pink magnolia buds. A sudden skunky waft of marijuana. Screaming ambulance sirens. Friendly yellow daffodils. The din of nearby Kingshighway traffic. Bikers. Runners. Park workers. Parents with strollers. The park ranger making her rounds. I take in the sights, smells, and sounds of Forest Park’s zone 6, a place I return today for my fourth season as a Tuesday morning Forest Park Forever volunteer.

Familiar faces and one new one greet me as I meet the group at 8:00 am in the Steinberg parking lot. I’ve worked with Jeff, a full-time worker; and Deb and Bill, both volunteers, for the past three years. Our fearless leader Nancy retired last fall, ready to rest and play with her husband and puppies. Marley, an energetic young woman, has taken over as lead horticulturist. She quickly puts us to work raking up dead sticks and leaves from a large dormant garden. We catch up as we work, filling each other in on our winter activities. Three hours later, we gaze across at our accomplishments, a healing garden ready for spring. Our arms and backs ache, but we smile, admitting it’s great to be back.

Back in 2021, after a year of polarizing Covid restrictions, masks everywhere, and crazy politics, I was going a little kooky. One day when I was walking at the park, I saw a posting for volunteers and immediately filled out the online form. After a quick one-on-one orientation with the volunteer manager, I showed up one Tuesday in April, was tossed a rake, and spent the morning spreading mulch. Other Tuesdays I’ve weeded garden beds, cut back honeysuckle, planted bulbs, and done almost anything requested of me. Often it is hard work, but I’ve enjoyed it, despite the pesky mosquitos and chiggers that love me. Having spent my working life inside schools surrounded by adolescents, it is invigorating to be outside, soaking in the changing seasons. I’ve learned a few plant names, but mostly I just enjoy being at the park.

Opened in 1876 and host of the 1904 World’s Fair, Forest Park is the largest urban park in the country, and has become the jewel of St. Louis. Its 1300 acres contain 30 miles of biking and walking trails, three museums and a zoo (all free admission), The Muny theater, a skating rink, golf courses, tennis courts, and spans of green space for everyone to enjoy. Currently there is much going on at the park: new basketball courts, skating rink renovation, and a large project that will eventually connect all the park waterways. It is noisy and busy and gorgeous, and I am honored to be a part of it.

Forest Park is my happy place. (MoBot is a close second, but that’s another post.)