Turner Park

History and Namesake

Positioned in the Vandeventer neighborhood of St. Louis sits Turner Park, a modest 1.4-acre green space established back in 1937. You'll come across it just southwest of where C.D. Banks Avenue meets N. Sarah Street.

The park honors J. Milton Turner, a remarkable figure who championed African American education, civil rights, and served in foreign diplomacy during the challenging post-Civil War period.

Amenities and Features

Kids can burn off energy at the park's playground area, complete with swings, a slide, and an old-school seesaw - ideal for family outings. The park maintains some practical historic structures too: a stone bathroom house and a charming mid-Century pavilion.

Need a spot for lunch? Several picnic tables and benches dot the landscape, including a covered section that offers welcome shade on sunny days and shelter when rain threatens. Basketball enthusiasts can shoot some hoops at the basketball court, while the grilling area stands ready for community cookouts.

Park Maintenance

One thing that stands out about Turner Park is how well it's kept up. The lawns are neatly trimmed, and the grounds are clean - thanks in part to the local neighborhood community that helps maintain this urban oasis.

You can find the facilities, including restrooms, regularly cleaned and sanitized. If you're visiting in the evening, the night lighting around the parking lot makes getting around much easier after sunset.

Neighborhood Context

Like many urban parks, Turner has weathered its share of challenges over the years. But its location near developing St. Louis hotspots like Grand Center and the Central West End gives it promising potential for revival.

The area around the park is seeing new life, including the North Sarah Apartments development nearby, which may bring more visitors and energy to this historic green space.

Community Value

Despite its small footprint, Turner Park serves an important purpose as an accessible outdoor haven for nearby residents. It packs a surprising variety of amenities into its compact size, making it a meaningful resource for the surrounding community.

Though small in size, the park offers a clean environment, well-maintained facilities, and peaceful atmosphere - a nice respite from city life just steps from home.