Francis Park facts for kids

Francis Park is a wonderful green space located in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood. This area is part of St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. The park is easy to find, sitting between Eichelberger Street, Nottingham Avenue, Donovan Avenue, and Tamm Avenue. It's a great example of an urban park, which means it's a park found right in the middle of a city.

A Special Gift to the City

Francis Park is named after a very important person named David R. Francis. He lived from 1850 to 1927. David R. Francis was a big part of St. Louis history. He served as the mayor of St. Louis from 1885 to 1889. He was also the governor of Missouri. Plus, he was the President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the 1904 World's Fair.

On Christmas Eve in 1916, David R. Francis gave a huge gift to the city of St. Louis. He donated 60 acres of land to be used as a park. This generous act created the beautiful Francis Park we know today. In 2018, a special bronze sculpture of Francis was put in the park. It stands 7 feet tall and was created by artist Harry Weber.

A statue of David R. Francis stands in Francis Park.

Fun Things to Do at Francis Park

Francis Park offers many cool things for people to do. If you love sports, you'll find courts for handball, racquetball, and tennis. There are also big fields perfect for playing soccer or softball. For younger kids, there's a fun playground where they can climb and play. It's a great spot for everyone to get active and enjoy the outdoors.

Helping the Park Stay Great

The people who live in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood really care about Francis Park. The St. Louis Hills Neighborhood Association works hard to keep the park looking nice. They organize special events to raise money for the park's upkeep. These events include an art fair, a 5k running race, and a bike race. It shows how much the community loves and supports their local park.