Art, culture and open spaces converge in Citygarden. As you walk through the park, discover a variety of sculptures ranging from a massive bronze head lying on its side, to a jubilant Pinocchio reaching for the sky, to an austere scarecrow lording over the path.
Citygarden opened in 2009. The City of St. Louis and Gateway Foundation transformed two barren city blocks into an urban park that made art accessible to everyone downtown. Today, enjoy the fruits of their labor with the city’s iconic Gateway Arch looming in the distance.
Dial in to a self-guided audio tour on your cellphone. The tour is narrated by acclaimed St. Louis residents, including Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, The Office actress Jenna Fischer, former St. Louis Cardinals player Ozzie Smith and more.
Discover over two dozen sculptures scattered throughout Citygarden. Eros Bendato, Igor Mitoraj’s gigantic bronze head lying sideways, is one of the park’s most iconic pieces. In a pool near the restaurant, check out La Rivière by Aristide Maillol, a sculpture of a bathing woman washing her hair. Admire two futuristic pieces, Kiera and Julian Walking and Bruce and Sarah Walking, LED panels of couples walking, created by Julian Opie. This is a sampling of the many sculptures that await you in Citygarden.
In addition to sculptures, Citygarden has a number of water features. Eros Bendato actually sits atop a fountain base, giving the effect that water is streaming from the head. Enjoy the stunning piece while the water adds a soothing effect. Escape the heat in the spray plaza, where water shoots several feet into the air from 102 mini fountains. You can’t miss the massive split basin, which is bound by a sweeping waterfall. Have coffee at a nearby café and enjoy a meditative moment by the upper basin.
Find Citygarden in the Gateway Mall area of downtown St. Louis. It sits between Eighth, Tenth, Market and Chestnut streets. The park is open throughout the year and does not have an entry fee.
