Forest Park Forever Names New President and

Executive Director to Lead Park’s Sustainability Efforts

I-64 Project Director Lesley Hoffarth

to join Forest Park Forever

Sept. 21, 2009 – Forest Park Forever, the private, nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to work in partnership with the city of St. Louis to restore, maintain and sustain the glory of Forest Park, named Lesley Hoffarth its next president and executive director at today’s executive committee meeting. Hoffarth, currently the I-64 reconstruction project director, will join Forest Park Forever in January 2010. Earlier this year, the organization’s board approved a new strategic plan to guide the park in the post-restoration era – of which hiring a new president and executive director to oversee the park’s long term sustainability is a critical component.

“After successfully completing a $100 million restoration, Forest Park Forever is now focused on sustaining the park’s renewed heights. Our plan calls for a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration throughout the community and requires a strong leader with a proven track record to help ensure future success. Lesley’s experience overseeing all aspects of the I-64 project uniquely prepares her for taking a lead role in our efforts to sustain our beautifully renovated park. We’re very pleased she is joining our team,” said Todd Epsten, board chairman.

An extensive nationwide search resulted in Hoffarth’s selection. As project director for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) single largest contract ever, she demonstrated unparalleled vision, commitment and collaboration. Hoffarth’s leadership and the half-billion-dollar reconstruction of 10 highway miles running through the heart of St. Louis County, St. Louis City and Forest Park has been labeled a national model and is widely recognized as an innovative success. On an accelerated construction schedule, MoDOT is reconstructing and upgrading all pavements and bridges and building 13 new interchanges in less than three years. The innovative approach is expected to result in completing the project on time and under budget.

“As we approach completion of the I-64 project, I am overcome with appreciation and gratitude for the team of professionals making it a reality for our region. This project truly demonstrates the power and strength of good planning, innovative thinking and working collaboratively with the community. This is the foundation I bring with me to Forest Park Forever. Like I-64, Forest Park has been transformed. But, it’s only the beginning. I look forward to fostering new collaboration and growth to ensure the park’s beauty, infrastructure and quality for future generations,” said Hoffarth.

During the decade-long I-64 project, Hoffarth collaborated with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever, neighboring communities and park stakeholders to build consensus for the effort. Among the important priorities identified by neighboring communities and addressed during the New I-64 project, Hoffarth developed a plan to work with third parties to support and fund ongoing landscape maintenance along I-64.

Hoffarth will help Forest Park Forever achieve its objectives to sustain the park for future generations, as articulated in the organization’s strategic plan. The plan details five key goals:

1. Prioritize the visitor’s experience
2. Clarify and expand the role of Forest Park Forever to sustain and maintain the park at the highest standards of excellence
3. Seek financial stability and sustainability for the park
4. Attract quality leadership
5. Build community awareness and support for sustaining Forest Park at its current high level of restoration

The plan focuses on collaboration and cooperation with the greater St. Louis community, as well as:

• Forging a new alliance with the city of St. Louis that will be a national model for urban parks
• Closing the annual funding gap in order to adequately maintain the park’s beauty, infrastructure and programming
• Continuing to invest in capital improvements
• Providing a consistently positive and memorable experience to park users through excellent programs and educational offerings
• Enhancing all aspects of the visitor experience, including access, circulation and greater detail about park activities

A 20-year veteran of MoDOT, Hoffarth held positions in Maintenance and Traffic, Bridge Design, Construction, Roadway Design and Project Management. She participated in various projects throughout her career, including replacing 30 bridges on and over Interstate 70 and earthquake strengthening the double-deck approach to the Poplar Street Bridge. Hoffarth earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia and is a Missouri registered professional engineer. She is an alumna of the CORO Women in Leadership Program and was recognized in 2008 as one of the CORO Leaders of the Year for St. Louis. She is also a distinguished member of the MU Academy of Civil Engineers and was recognized by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri as a 2009 Woman of Distinction in the practical arts category.

Lesley S. Hoffarth

Join us this fall on November 7th for our honeysuckle bush removal day!  For more information call (314) 367-7275 or email volunteer@forestparkforever.org.