History of Willmore Park

Willmore Park, the last major park to be developed in the City of St. Louis, is one of the city's most popular parks.

The two large lakes provide quiet areas for fishing, the big playground gives children a place to run and climb, large pavilions are great spots for picnics, barbecues and gatherings and the trails are great for exercise for all ages.

Cyrus Crane Willmore, the developer of St. Louis Hills, in 1946 donated 70 acres to the city for park use.

Combined with adjacent city-owned property, this became the 105-acre Willmore Park in 1947. Funds from the 1955 Parks Bond Issue were used to develop the park. Unlike most city parks, roads in Willmore Park are located along the periphery, providing large areas of open land.

The park was designed by landscape architect Stuart M. Mertz, in association with Layton, Layton, and Rodes.

The city used capital improvement funds after the flood of 1993 to reclaim some of the park overtaken by backwater from the River Des Peres and lake overflow.

The Missouri Department of Conservation improved the North and South lakes at Willmore Park in 1996-97. A fishing platform, parking space and trail for disabled anglers was added to the South Lake in 2001.

Fishing:

Lake #1
5 Acres of Water
Stocked with fish

Lake #2
3 Acres of Water
Stocked with fish

Sports:

2 Baseball Fields

Bike Trail 1.5 miles

4 Corkball Backstops

2 Playgrounds

5 Picnic Shelters

2 Soccer Fields (1 lighted)

4 Softball Fields (2 lighted)

Tennis Courts 4 Lighted

3 Comfort Stations

Maintenance Building