2020: A Year in Review at Tower Grove Park
Imagine snow-covered treetops, an icy fountain at the Ruins, and the red-striped Turkish Pavilion peeking through the gray landscape. These idyllic scenes remain welcoming year after year, a comforting reminder of home. This year’s season of giving means more than ever before. It is the time of year to give back to organizations that are important to you.
Consider giving back to Tower Grove Park. A public park is more than an amenity, it is a necessity, making our city a better place to live, work, and play, and providing people with access to beauty and nature.
We ask you consider making a contribution during our special year-end fundraising drive by choosing one of our three easy ways of giving:
During these final weeks of the year, as a nonprofit, Tower Grove Park must raise the majority of its annual funding in order to maintain an annual operating budget. After significant loss in revenue due to event and rental cancellations caused by the pandemic, the park relies on private donations. Your contribution is critical to our success, now more than ever.
When our city went on lockdown, Tower Grove Park remained open. When you stayed home, distancing from family and friends, Tower Grove Park welcomed you. When a high volume of visitors came to the park, Tower Grove Park closed the roads to vehicles to provide extra space for social distancing. When the restrooms and playgrounds re-opened, our staff worked diligently to keep them sanitized and safe. When gatherings and festivals were canceled, Tower Grove Park created innovative, safe events, like Sip & Stroll, so people could join together at a distance.
As soon as our generous supporters make contributions to help us recover, another unexpected project needs funding. Our fall membership drive raised over $30,000, for which we are deeply grateful, but then the streetlamps shut down from electrical issues and the park suffered massive damage from severe storms.
It’s costly to operate a historic, well-loved, busy park for the community. Tower Grove Park is more than its fields, pavilions, playgrounds, and trails. The park is an intricately orchestrated institution with a small but mighty staff of caring individuals. With your support, we can not only maintain but enhance the park.
Your contribution makes great things happen. Here are some of the significant accomplishments of 2020, a year of challenges and opportunities:
Created car-less days for popular pedestrian-only access
Renovated the Stupp Center to include gender-inclusive restrooms and a catering kitchen
Reached an all-time high number of members, proving the community cares
Transformed two major fundraisers—Martinis at the Mansion and Tower Trot 5K—into virtual experiences
Worked closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation to offer additional free natured-based programming to children and adults
Extended the children’s music concerts into the fall for more educational experiences
Welcomed volunteers safely for new docent tours and projects like Plant it Forward
Introduced the new Park Lager with our partner, Schlafly Beer
These accomplishments would not be possible without support from the community. If the park holds a special place in your heart, consider making a contribution. Any amount helps us recover and prepare for what could be another challenging year.
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you may be able to deduct up to $300 in charitable donations from your taxable income when you file your 2020 tax returns in 2021. Take advantage of this charitable giving opportunity with a gift to the park.
Above all else, we hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Always but especially now, we are grateful for all our supporters. Visit the park during the wonderful winter season soon. Happy holidays!