Andrew Pace
Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, now has basketball courts! The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts opened in 2024 and feature two full courts and two half courts with a painted asphalt surface. The courts are free to use and are located just north of the Visitor and Education Center. The addition of basketball courts to Forest Park is the result of a groundswell of community support and a public-private partnership between the City of St. Louis and the nonprofit Forest Park Forever. The courts are named in memory of Nick Booker, a St. Louis youth who loved basketball and worked in Forest Park with the Parks Division as a teenager. Tragically, Nick passed away in 2018 from an asthma attack while playing pickup basketball. The courts are a welcome addition to the park, offering a space for the community to come together and enjoy their favorite sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball courts | Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts |
| Number of full courts | 2 |
| Number of half courts | 2 |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Lighting | Dark sky-compliant |
| Location | North of the Visitor and Education Center, east of the Missouri History Museum and Loop Trolley terminal stop, and south of the Forest Park–DeBaliviere Metro station |
| Amenities | Shade pavilion, player and spectator seating, drinking fountains, public restrooms, cafe, day-use lockers, vending machines, locker rooms with showers |
| Parking | Available at the Visitor Center lots on Grand Drive in Forest Park |
| Basketballs | Can be checked out at the visitor desk |
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What You'll Learn
Forest Park's basketball courts opened in 2024
Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, has finally opened its basketball courts to the public in 2024. The basketball courts, named the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts, are located just north of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, which includes amenities such as public restrooms, a cafe, day-use lockers, and vending machines. The courts are also adjacent to the handball and racquetball courts.
The opening of the basketball courts in Forest Park adds to the park's existing sports amenities, which include tennis, soccer, baseball, handball, and rugby facilities. The addition of basketball courts is a result of community support and a partnership between the City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy. The project cost approximately $1.4 million, with a fundraising goal of $1.5 million, led by Forest Park Forever in collaboration with the City.
The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts feature two full courts and two half courts with a painted asphalt surface. The courts are equipped with dark sky-compliant lighting, which can be turned on by players after sunset. In addition, the courts offer player and spectator seating, a shade pavilion, and new trees and landscaping.
The courts are named in memory of Nicholas J. Booker, a St. Louis native and basketball enthusiast who tragically passed away during his first year of college due to an asthma attack while playing basketball. Nick Booker had a personal connection to Forest Park, having worked there during his teenage years with the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department. The courts were dedicated with a variety of activities, including free throw contests, 3-on-3 games, youth games, and wheelchair-adaptive basketball, bringing the community together to celebrate.
The basketball courts in Forest Park not only provide a space for recreational sports but also contribute to the park's diverse offerings, attracting people of all ages, races, and genders. The addition of basketball to Forest Park's sports mix is a welcome development, promoting fun, skill-building, and lasting memories for the community.
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The courts are named after Nicholas J. Booker
The basketball courts in Forest Park, St. Louis, are named after Nicholas J. Booker, a St. Louis native and youth who was a beloved basketball enthusiast. Nick, as he was fondly called, developed a deep appreciation for Forest Park while working with the City's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry during his teenage summers.
Nicholas's love for basketball and his connection to Forest Park were, unfortunately, cut short during his first year of college at Fordham University. In 2018, he suffered a severe asthma attack while playing a pickup basketball game and passed away. To honour Nicholas's memory and his passion for the sport, the city of St. Louis, in collaboration with Forest Park Forever, embarked on a mission to bring basketball courts to Forest Park.
The project, led by Forest Park Forever in partnership with the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, began in November 2023 with a groundbreaking ceremony. The courts were strategically located north of the Visitor and Education Center, providing easy access for community members. The construction process involved soil remediation, asphalt pouring, and the installation of essential amenities.
The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts were finally opened to the public in July 2024 with a dedication ceremony. The event celebrated Nicholas's life and legacy, bringing the community together through various activities, including free throw contests, 3-on-3 games, youth games, and wheelchair-adaptive basketball. The courts feature two full and two half courts, lighting, a shade pavilion, player and spectator amenities, and landscaping, creating a vibrant space for the community to enjoy.
Nicholas's family, including his father, Britt Booker, and his grandfather, Andy Newman, played a significant role in making the courts a reality. Andy, as the trustee of the Eric P. & Evelyn E. Newman Foundation, made a lead gift for the courts in Nicholas's name. The courts stand as a testament to Nicholas J. Booker's love for basketball and his connection to Forest Park, ensuring that his memory lives on through the sport he cherished.
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Forest Park's basketball courts have two full and two half courts
Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, now has basketball courts, named the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts, in memory of a St. Louis native who loved the sport. The courts opened in 2024, and they offer free, open play on two full and two half courts with a painted asphalt surface.
The basketball courts are located just north of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, which has public restrooms, a cafe, day-use lockers, and vending machines. They are also adjacent to the handball and racquetball courts. Ample parking is available at the Visitor Center lots on Grand Drive.
The Forest Park Basketball project team has installed sidewalks between the courts and lighting for after-sunset play. Other amenities include a spectator pavilion, player benches, drinking fountains, and landscaping, including 35 new trees.
The addition of basketball courts to Forest Park is the result of a groundswell of community support and a public-private partnership between Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy, and the City of St. Louis. The total cost of the project was approximately $1.5 million, with most of the funding coming from individual donors and the Eric P. & Evelyn E. Newman Foundation.
Forest Park has a long history of providing recreational sports amenities to the community, dating back to the turn of the century when tennis champion and City Commissioner of Parks, Dwight Davis, advocated for the health benefits of recreational sports. The addition of basketball courts to the park's sporting mix is a welcome development, offering flexibility for both individual and team play.
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The courts are located north of the Visitor and Education Centre
Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, has basketball courts. The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts are located just north of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, with ample parking available at the Visitor Center lots on Grand Drive. The courts are also just east of the Missouri History Museum and Loop Trolley terminal stop, and south of the Forest Park–DeBaliviere Metro station.
The basketball courts were constructed in 2024, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on November 7, 2023. The courts were named in memory of Nicholas J. Booker, a St. Louis native and basketball enthusiast who tragically passed away in 2018 during his first year of college due to an asthma attack while playing basketball. The courts were made possible through a lead gift from the Eric P. & Evelyn E. Newman Foundation, with Andy Newman, Nick Booker's grandfather, serving as the trustee.
The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts feature two full courts and two half courts with a painted asphalt surface. The courts are equipped with dark sky-compliant lighting that can be turned on by players after sunset. Additionally, there is a spectator pavilion, player benches, and new trees and landscaping. Basketballs can be checked out at the visitor desk of the Visitor and Education Center, which also offers public restrooms, a cafe, day-use lockers, and vending machines.
The addition of basketball courts to Forest Park is a significant development, as the park did not initially have athletic fields and courts when it opened in 1876. It was not until the turn of the century that tennis champion and City's Commissioner of Parks, Dwight Davis, advocated for the health benefits of recreational sports. Since then, various sports amenities have been added to the park, and with community support, basketball courts were finally included in the mix. The construction of the basketball courts in Forest Park is a testament to the city's commitment to providing recreational opportunities for its residents and building a stronger community.
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Forest Park's basketball courts are free to use
Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, now has basketball courts that are free to use. The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts opened in 2024 and offer two full courts and two half courts with a painted asphalt surface. The courts are located just north of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, which provides amenities such as public restrooms, a cafe, day-use lockers, and vending machines. Basketballs can be checked out for free from the visitor desk and must be returned during operating hours.
The addition of basketball courts to Forest Park is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy. The project cost approximately $1.5 million, with funding coming from donations and fundraising efforts. The courts are named after Nicholas J. Booker, a St. Louis native and basketball enthusiast who tragically passed away during his first year of college due to an asthma attack while playing basketball.
The basketball courts in Forest Park are accessible and inclusive, providing a space for people of all ages, races, and genders to come together and enjoy the sport. The courts are equipped with dark sky-compliant lighting, allowing for play after sunset, and there is ample parking available at the Visitor Center lots on Grand Drive. The courts are also easily accessible by public transportation, located just south of the Forest Park–DeBaliviere Metro station.
The construction of the basketball courts in Forest Park involved careful planning and community engagement. The project team worked to protect existing trees and plant life, installed new sidewalks and utilities, and included amenities such as player benches, a spectator pavilion, and drinking fountains. The courts were designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for full games or half-court play. The official opening of the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts in Forest Park was celebrated with a dedication ceremony and various activities, including free throw contests, 3-on-3 games, youth games, and wheelchair-adaptive basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Forest Park has basketball courts. The Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts were opened in 2024 and offer free, open play on two full courts and two half courts.
The basketball courts have lighting, a shade pavilion, player and spectator seating, public restrooms, a cafe, day-use lockers, vending machines, and locker rooms with showers (available for a membership fee). Basketballs can be checked out at the visitor desk and must be returned during Visitor Center operating hours.
Yes, Forest Park offers year-round youth sports programs, including basketball. Registration typically opens in September and games are held from January to February.
