Turtle Park, officially Sculpture Park, is a small grassy lot on the south edge of Forest Park covered with seven giant concrete turtles — three snapping turtles, three red-eared sliders, and a soft-shelled turtle — alongside three turtle hatchling sculptures. Children climb on them all day; the park is essentially an unofficial play area for the surrounding neighbourhoods.
The turtles were created in 1996 by Bob Cassilly, the artist behind the City Museum downtown, as a public-art commission. They are exactly the right scale to invite climbing — large enough to feel impressive, low enough that no one has to be lifted up. Free, open all hours, parking on the surrounding streets.