Tower Grove Park Picks A New Director

William E. (Bill) Reininger, Jr., horticulturist and long-time park manager, has been appointed as the new Director of Tower Grove Park in South St. Louis. He succeeds John Karel, who retired as Director at the end of 2014 after 27 years in that position. Reininger will assume his new duties in mid-July.

“We are thrilled to have a leader with Bill’s experience and knowledge to guide the next chapter of Tower Grove Park’s history,” said Bob Sellers, President of the Park’s Board of Commissioners. “Bill brings a depth of insight and perspective that extends over 20 years of park management, horticulture and arboriculture that is critical for the Park as it approaches its 150th anniversary -- and beyond. He has a great appreciation for Henry Shaw and his vision for the Park, and shares the Board’s commitment to continuing Shaw’s legacy.” Reininger was selected after an exhaustive national search that yielded more than 70 candidates.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the team at Tower Grove Park,” said Reininger. “Being a native St. Louis, I realize the importance that Tower Grove Park has as an internationally recognized Victorian Park and the role it plays as neighborhood and regional park. I look forward to working with our staff, the Friends of Tower Grove Park, and all of our donors and neighbors to continue the progress my predecessors have made.”

Reininger joins Tower Grove Park from Forest Park Forever, where he spent the past 10 years as Park Operations Manager. In that role, he established their Land Management Division, which assists the City with park maintenance. He was integral in developing and implementing cooperative maintenance agreements between the City and Forest Park Forever. As part of their leadership team, Bill worked to fulfill the Park’s Master Plan and the organization’s Strategic Plan. He worked closely with the St. Louis Department of Parks’ staff to establish and coordinate priorities and implement ongoing improvements.

Prior to leading Forest Park Forever’s operations, Reininger’s park experience extends to the City of Crestwood and University City -- including the jump-start of his career as an outdoor horticulturist at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Reninger is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, with bachelor’s degrees in both Uban Forestry and Horticulture.

In 2011 Reininger received a Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association for his work in Forest Park. He was the recipient of the 2010 St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission for his role in the Regional Wayfinding program. He serves as a board member with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and on the Advisory Council of the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources.

At 289-acres, Tower Grove Park is the second largest in size in St. Louis, and has been characterized as the largest and best-preserved 19th-century Gardenesque style city park in the United States. The Park was first authorized by a state law passed on March 9, 1867, and came into existence on October 20, 1868 when Henry Shaw conveyed lands to the City of St. Louis, by deed of gift. In 1989, the Park was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Tower Grove Park features a number of historic Victorian pavilions that have been restored, not to mention the Ruin/Fountain Pond and its famed Lilies, the Pool Pavilion and the various Park entrances and gates. The Piper Palm House was restored and adapted for public use, and the historic Plant House is home to the Staff Office. Today, the Park enjoys over two million annual visitors, 23,2999 “likes” on Facebook, plus 2,268 Twitter and 804 Instagram followers. Tower Grove Park is owned by the City of St. Louis and governed by a special Board of Commissioners appointed under the authority of the Missouri Supreme Court.