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Tower Grove Park, a 289 acre park, was originally part of Henry Shaw's vast prairie estate that also included what is now Missouri Botanical Garden. In 1868, Shaw donated the park as a gift to the citizens of the City of St. Louis with the stipulation that it would always remain a park. Modeled after the many pleasure parks Shaw studied in Europe, Tower Grove Park features a playground, children's wading pool, picnic sites, beautiful early 20th century pavilions, athletic fields for softball, baseball, soccer/football and corkball; plus horseshoe pits and tennis courts. The park also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.