Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape

Funded by donors to Forest Park Forever and completed in partnership with the City of St. Louis, the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is a 17-acre experiential play space with natural landscapes that include native and diverse species. Featuring nine distinct activity areas, the free destination includes sand play areas, willow tunnels, stump steppers, boulders and rocks, hand water pumps and much more. The goal: Encourage visitors — especially kids — to connect with nature as they engage their senses as they explore, discover and learn.

To learn more about this project, including the process and teams behind it, read our press release here.

Helpful Maps

View the Playscape location within the Park, an aerial rendering showing key highlights and the way-finding signage onsite.

VISITOR NOTE: The Spring play area of the Nature Playscape (see maps below) is temporarily closed as of Sunday, July 7.

FAQ & Tips

Q: Where is the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape located?
It’s located in the heart of Forest Park, between the World’s Fair Pavilion and the Jewel Box. There’s a handy map above, and you can also view the destination on our web app ForestParkMap.org.

Q: Is there an entry fee?
As with Forest Park itself, there is no cost to enter the Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape.

Q: When can I visit?
The Nature Playscape has the same hours as Forest Park itself, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Q: Do the water features turn off for the season?
Yes, the water features are turned off from October until April, after the final deep freezes of the season have passed and public water features are turned on. NOTE: Water features may occasionally be turned off at other times for required maintenance.

Q: Is the Nature Playscape for any particular age?
The Nature Playscape has been designed especially for kids — helping youth experience and benefit from nature — but we know that adults will enjoy it too. For very small toddlers, there are tot-friendly areas most suited for them.

Q: Where's the best place to park?
First, if you are visiting on foot, on bike or via transit, great! There are bike racks at the entrance along Concourse near the World’s Fair Pavilion round-about (western side) and at the entrance along Carr Lane Drive (eastern side). And the Metro Hampton 90 bus stops along Concourse Drive, just south of the main Playscape entrance.

For those traveling by car, there are hundreds of free parking spots along Carr Lane Drive (just east of the Playscape) and Concourse Drive (on the northwest edge of the Playscape). Please note that both those roads are one-way. A general tip that these suggestions follow is to focus on areas less likely to be used by visitors headed to see our friends at the nearby Saint Louis Zoo. This includes coming into the Park, when possible, via an entrance other than Hampton Ave.

For navigation help to the Playscape and all of Forest Park, check out the GPS-enabled, interactive forestparkmap.org.

Q: Is there a restroom nearby?
Yes, there is a new and improved year-round comfort station — with gathering plaza — just to the west of the Playscape entrance, not far from the World's Fair Pavilion. There is also a seasonal restroom just southeast of the Playscape, close to Carr Lane Drive.

Q: Are the paths ADA-accessible?
Yes, the path system winding through the Playscape is ADA-accessible.

Q: Can I picnic in the Playscape?
Yes, you are welcome to bring picnic food in with you to enjoy in a spot you find. Thank you for cleaning up after yourselves and putting trash in one of the Playscape trash cans or — even better — in your tote bag as you head back out. ‘Pack in, Pack out’ is an approach that will help keep the Playscape looking great for all visitors.

Q: Are dogs allowed?
As in other areas of Forest Park, leashed dogs are permitted in the Nature Playscape. We ask that all dog owners remember that the Playscape has been designed especially for young children and their families and caregivers. Also, it goes without saying, thank you for cleaning up after your pet.

Q: Are bikes allowed?
We have placed bike racks at key Playscape entrances so that visitors can secure their bikes before entering the 17-acre Playscape. The Playscape's path system is intended for those on foot, in strollers and in wheelchairs. If a visitor needs to enter the Playscape with their bike, we ask that they be sensitive to the children at play. Please note: As with Forest Park's overall path system, motorized scooters and any other type of motorized vehicles are strictly not permitted on any of the Playscape paths. Those may be used only on Park roads.

Q. Can I rent a particular part of the Playscape for a private event?
The Nature Playscape is a free and open space for all visitors to enjoy. There are no private areas that are available for permitted events.

Questions? Comments? Please email us at info@forestparkforever.org. Thank you for your interest in Forest Park!