Who We Are
Through a collaborative partnership led by the Open Space Council, the Community Stewardship Alliance (CSA) is an exciting conservation program intended to provide focused, trained volunteer leadership to restore and maintain the natural areas within Benton Park. Benton Park's Site Ambassador is Cristina Cousins. Join us for an event, meet our site ambassadors, and learn more about how you can become part of the team!
Benton Park is a 14.3-acre park in St. Louis City, established in 1866. The park is nestled into a neighborhood of the same name, which surrounds the park on the north, east, and south sides. Benton Park includes a man-made lake and a smaller man-made pond (both of which are home to wildlife), many mature trees, and two native gardens. Opportunities for stewardship projects include garden maintenance, litter clean-up, and tree care.
Our CSA partners include Forest ReLeaf of MissouriMissouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Master Naturalists Great Rivers Chapter, Missouri Stream Team, Open Space STL, St. Louis Audubon Society, St. Louis County Parks, St. Louis County Parks Foundation, and St. Louis City Forestry Division.
What We Do
Native pollinator gardens - We have two native pollinator gardens located in Benton Park. One was installed by Benton Park neighbors in October 2025 with help from a Neighbor's Naturescaping Grant from Brightside STL. The other is in the process of being revitalized by a Missouri Master Naturalist and neighborhood volunteers.
Litter Clean-ups - Friends of Benton Park regularly schedules litter clean-ups to keep our public park clean for visitors and wildlife.
Tree initiatives - Friends of Benton Park was selected for a 2025-2026 Community Forestry Cost-Share Grant from Missouri Department of Conservation which allowed us to complete $25,000 of tree work in the park in January 2026. As a part of the grant, we are required to replace any tree taken down with two new native trees, which will be planted in March 2026 and watered throughout the warmer months by a team of volunteers.
