COMMUNITY & CULTURE
The Morales family of St. Louis
stares down Tony Tasset's "Eye" at
Laumeier Sculpture Park.
MEET ME IN …
B y T r i s h M u y c o - To b i n
I
ts location along interstates 44 and 270 makes Sunset Hills an easy
destination to live, work and play.
Incorporated in 1957, the town is comprised of approximately 9
square miles that border Kirkwood and Crestwood to the north,
Fenton to the west, and unincorporated South St. Louis County on
the other side.
You might say the 8,500 or so residents who call it home have it all when
it comes to convenience. There’s a plenitude of retail chain stores and
eateries, with a few mom-and-pop establishments thrown in, all within a
mile or two of any point in Sunset Hills.
There’s also an abundance of green space. The city’s biggest park,
Watson Trail Park, is popular for its picnic sites, nature trails, play areas,
tennis courts and a disk golf course - frolf, anyone? There’s even a dog
park within Kitun Park, shared with neighboring Crestwood. In nearby
Kirkwood, Powder Valley Nature Center is a haven for hikers.
But Sunset Hills’ crown jewel is none other than Laumeier Sculpture
80
GAZELLE
Park, and what a treasure it is! Considered among the first and largest
dedicated sculpture parks in America, Laumeier stands out as one of St.
Louis’ exceptional outdoor public spaces. Where else can you stare down a
giant eyeball that doesn’t blink, climb a “living,” earthen amphitheater, and
marvel at a collection of iconic sculptures by St. Louis native, the late artist,
Ernest Trova?
Laumeier marked its 40th year in 2016, and is named after Henry and
Matilda Laumeier, who owned and lived on the property where the park
sits today. Henry’s German ancestors immigrated to St. Louis in the mid-
1800s; therefore, the correct pronunciation of the name is “Lau (rhymes
with now),” and “meier (rhymes with higher).” Depending on how you
pronounce it - and we know there are many different versions - this much
is true: The name has become synonymous with art and nature and how
they intertwine.
The park hosts its biggest event of the year this month: The Laumeier
Art Fair takes place on Mother's Day weekend, May 11 to 13.
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Sunset Hills