HOK’s vision for the space revives a treasured historical landmark, transforming it into one of America’s 10 best urban parks
ASLA announced that Restoring the Glory, the Restoration of Forest Park, St. Louis, designed by the landscape architecture firm HOK in Washington, D.C., has won the ASLA 2025 Landmark Award.
The Landmark Award is bestowed upon a distinguished landscape architecture project completed between 15 and 50 years ago that retains its original design integrity and contributes many benefits to the surrounding community.
At 1,370 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. The site of the 1904 World’s Fair, funding and maintenance challenges in the 1970s and ‘80s degraded the park’s quality, rendering it less functional and unsafe. In 2000, the nonprofit conservancy Forest Park Forever (FPF) engaged the design team at HOK to restore some of the park’s most iconic landmarks in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Fair. The restoration modernized amenities, reintroduced natural systems, and reconnected visitors to the beloved public space, transforming it into an area for recreation, sports, civic and cultural events, and more.
“Forest Park is the nation’s largest urban park, while always remaining at the heart of St. Louis. HOK’s restoration honors George Kessler’s original vision while embracing modern sustainability and resiliency,” said Brian Jencek, Director of Planning, HOK. “By restoring ecosystems, improving access, and creating inclusive spaces, we’ve prepared the park to serve its community—and future generations—as a vibrant, democratic landscape.”
The restoration of Forest Park is a nationally recognized success story. With more than 15 million visitors annually, the park is the sixth most visited urban park in the U.S. and was recently named the best city park in USA Today’s readers’ choice awards for the second consecutive year. The park continues to be recognized as a national destination and the pride of its city and region.
“The restorations of Government Hill and Emerson Grand Basin have stood the test of time and delighted millions of Forest Park visitors for a generation. Forest Park Forever was proud to partner with HOK and the City of St. Louis on these signature projects, which remain wonderful examples of landscape architecture for the entire St. Louis region to enjoy,” said Lesley Hoffarth, P.E., President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever.
The Landmark Award was announced as part of the ASLA 2025 Professional Awards. Thirty-five winners in multiple categories showcase innovation and represent the highest level of achievement in the landscape architecture profession. Read more in the awards press release.
Award recipients and their clients will be honored in person at the awards presentation ceremony at the ASLA 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture in New Orleans, October 10-13.
Jury: General Design, Residential Design, Urban Design & Landmark Award
Jury Chair: Thomas Balsley, FASLA, SWA/Balsley
Members:
C.L. Bohannon, FASLA, University of Virginia School of Architecture
Carol Coletta, Coletta and Company
L. Irene Compadre, ASLA, Arbolope Studio
Adam Greenspan, FASLA, PWP Landscape Architecture
Matt Hickman, Architectural Record
David Hocker, FASLA, Hocker Design Group
Shannon Nichol, FASLA, GGN
Jury: Analysis & Planning ASLA / IFLA Global Impact Award, Research, Communications & Landmark Award
Jury Chair: Diane Fernandez Bibeau, ASLA, City of Boston
Members:
Sierra Bainbridge, ASLA, MASS Design Group
Francisco Brown, Metropolis Magazine
Keiko Tsuruta Cramer, ASLA, WRT
Claire Latané, FASLA, Cal State Poly Pomona / Design with Mental Health in Mind
Adrian Smith, FASLA, City of New York
Bo Yang, FASLA, University of Arizona
Adam Yaracs, AIA, IKM Architecture
IFLA Representative: Monica Pallares Trujillo, IFLA America Region
CELA Representative: Bo Zhang, ASLA, Oklahoma State University
LAF Representative: Signe Nielsen, FASLA, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C.