Frank Holten State Recreation Area

Frank Holten State Recreation Area is a large urban state park in southwestern Illinois, near East St. Louis, that preserves significant green space in a heavily metropolitan setting. Completed in 1932 as Lake Park after decades of planning, it was once ranked among the nation’s largest municipal parks. Financial strain later led East St. Louis to sell the property to Illinois in 1964, when it became Grand Marais State Park, retaining a historic French place-name meaning “large swamp” or “great marsh.” In 1967 it was renamed for longtime legislator Frank Holten. Its lakes, shoreline, and Grand Marais Golf Course continue to reflect both its recreational role and earlier identity.

Illinois · United States