Senior benefit: Aldermen poised to rename park for mayor’s dad
Francis R. Slay
ST. LOUIS — For his years of service to his party and his city, aldermen are rewarding Francis R. Slay with a place of his own — a city park.
The board has endorsed a bill renaming Arsenal-Ellendale Park — a swath of city land at the intersection of McCausland Avenue and Arsenal Street in southwest St. Louis — “Francis R. Slay Park.”
In city politics, Slay is well-known beyond his famous son, Mayor Francis Slay. Mr. Slay was the city Recorder of Deeds, a state representative and a popular restaurateur.
Earlier this year, the older Slay stepped down after 45 years as Democratic committeeman in the 23rd Ward. Though his new park will technically be in the neighboring 24th Ward, it’s close enough to home that it will be used by plenty of his former constituents.
The park isn’t much to look at now — some grass and a tennis court — but could become more prominent if supporters of the Animal House Fund succeed in raising enough money to put a new pound on the park grounds.
As it stands, the bill to rename the park for Francis R. Slay will, after one more vote by aldermen, head for final approval to the mayor’s desk, who might just be able to sign in time for his pop’s birthday — Mr. Slay turns 82 on Oct. 28.
Very, very appropriate….a very nice recognition. That’s the park
with the softball fields…near River Des Peres? Or is it across the
street?
Pathetic. Kind of like naming a certain South Side park after a person named “Leisure”.
Every other day someone else gets murdered in the city, Lambert Field is turning into a ghost town and the schools stink. What to do?
Spend time naming a park after the mayor’s old man. Nice!
When our dear beloved Mayor Slay passed away to the money pit in the sky let them name a park downtown after him,that where he gets all his underhand money and gratitude from.As far as the Animal House Fund-what is going on with this?I have given over $300.00 to this fund and having seen nothing yet.With all the corruption going on in the city maybe the Post-Dispatch should do an invesigation to see what is being done with contributions to the animal fund!
Mr. Slay is a wonderful gentleman. I hope that complimentary cigars are handed out for chewing at the ceremony.
A park name for the KKK now that’s good what next ……
Go Animal House Fund, go! A new pound is overdue.
And congratulations to Mr. Slay too.
Craig-read my post on the Animal House Fund-I donated money as part of paying my water bill.It was a voluntary “add-on” donation.I sure hope the funds are being kept by a group independent of the City of St.Louis.Way to much corruption going on there.
Congrats Mr. Slay–a well deserved honor. I don’t care what anyone else says. You have served your community, family and church above and beyond the call of duty.
Turd, you and your comment stinks.