Calendar of Events

Here's a listing of upcoming activities and events taking place in the Benton Park community. If your group or organization is having something you'd like others to know about, please contact us.

Annual Activities

February 17th - Mardi Gras Beverage Booth: The BPNA mans a beer booth close to 9th and Russell. We divide the day into a number of shifts. Each shift normally runs about an hour. The BPNA gets a portion of the proceeds and all of the tips we receive.

April 28th - Operation Brightside: This is a city wide activity that encourages residences to get out an clean your alley, streets and parks. The city arranges a number of extra pickups of both trash and yard waste. Planting in public places is also encouraged.

July 3rd - BPNA Picnic: Instead of a regular neighborhood association meeting, the BPNA arranges a picnic in Benton Park. The BPNA will supply a main course and you are encouraged to bring a side dish and your own beverage. This is the best time to get to meet your neighbors! Come join this fun activity! NOTE: Because the 1st Tuesday falls on the 4th of July, we opted to move it back 1 week.

August 7th - National Night Out: This is a national event design to make a stand against crime. So organize your own block party. Host your party in a nearby park or we can help get the city to close a block of the street and host it there. Another get activity to help you get to know your neighbors and show the criminals that we live here and we stand together. As this is the same day as our normal BPNA meeting....there is no meeting held this month.

Normally in either May or October - House Tour: Every year (or sometimes every other year) the residences of Benton Park open their homes to perfect strangers. This is because we have something to show. We have pride in our homes and we want the world to see how beautiful it is here. Ya, we make a little money for the association but, it also helps attract more residences, encourages neighbors to improve their homes and eventually increases our property values.

October 6th - Chalk Art Festival: Don’t miss the colorful Annual Chalk Art Contest, fast becoming an Autumn favorite on the near Southside in Saint Louis. All will have the opportunity to participate and/or witness the coloring of many sidewalks in historic Benton Park at Jefferson Avenue and Arsenal Street.

December 4th - BPNA Holiday Party: This is the last hooray of the year. Held at the St. Agnes, the BPNA supplies the main course and you are encouraged to bring a side dish and your own beverage. After everyone has had a bit to eat and the drawings have been completed, we then hold our annual elections of the BPNA Executive Board. Please come take part in this activity, meet your neighbors and let your vote count.

Monthly Activities

1st Tuesday of the Month - BPNA General meeting: Every month (except February and August) the Benton park Neighborhood Association meets to conduct normal business. This usually consist of Committee updates, guest speakers and sometime updates on the goingon's around the neighborhood.

2nd Wednesday of the Month - Housing Corp general meeting: The Benton Park Community Housing Corporation is our neighborhoods voice to the city development agencies like the CDA and LRA. They review building proposals and architectural designs.

2nd Thursday of the Month - Police Advisory Board meeting: The Third District Neighborhood Advisory Board exits to improve the quality of life for its diverse communities. Come meet your local police department, hear what they have to say and voice your concerns.

3rd Tuesday of the Month - BPNA Executive Board meeting: Here is were the elected board members get together to plan current and new actives, agenda and guest speakers for presentation at the next Benton Park Neighborhood Association meeting.

3rd Wednesday of the Month - Neighborhood Happy Hour: Each month we will gather at a Benton Park establishment to come together as neighbors to support this great neighborhood and one its local businesses! Open to any and all! Benton Parkers especially welcomed! Pass this message on to your neighbors.

Last updated: Friday, November 14, 2008