“St. Louis County parks foundation to donate $900,000 for Kinloch Park overhaul”

AUTHOR: Nassim Benchaabane
DATE: July 20, 2022

KINLOCH — St. Louis County officials on Wednesday heralded news that a private foundation supporting St. Louis County Parks will contribute $900,000 to overhaul Kinloch Park, a county-owned park in the historic but faded African American suburb here. 

The donation goes a long way to paying for a $1.5 million planned renovation expected to start work in April. The county has also applied for $750,000 in federal grant funding for the project that could be awarded later this year. 

"It's our hope that the revitalization of Kinloch Park will reenergize this area," said Mark Ohlendorf, president of the St. Louis County Parks Foundation.

Ohlendorf was joined by County Executive Sam Page, and 1st District Councilwoman Rita Days, state Rep. Raychel Proudie, and state Sen. Brian Williams, who all represent Kinloch.

The officials have all spotlighted planned renovations for Kinloch Park as a means to revitalize the historic community, the first town in Missouri to be incorporated by African Americans. Once home to 10,000 residents, fewer than 300 residents remain in the city. And the city has become a target of illegal dumping that leaves trash piles in abandoned lots and vacant properties.