FOREST PARK FOREVER CELEBRATES A QUARTER CENTURY,
MAYOR SLAY TO PROCLAIM JUNE 24 AS FOREST PARK FOREVER DAY IN ST. LOUIS
Three Days of Celebrations Planned for 25th Anniversary of Forest Park Forever
ST. LOUIS – (June 16, 2011) Forest Park Forever will celebrate 25 years of restoring, maintaining and
sustaining Forest Park for the enjoyment of its visitors with anniversary events held on the park grounds
beginning Friday, June 24, and culminating on Sunday, June 26.
Mayor Francis G. Slay will formally proclaim June 24, 2011, as Forest Park Forever Day in the City of St.
Louis, while the governor’s office will declare the same in the State of Missouri.
Since 1986, Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis have together invested in the preservation of
Forest Park, which has been characterized as one of America’s great, urban public parks since 1876.
“Every day more of our friends and neighbors enjoy the beauty and incredible sights of Forest Park,”
said Lesley Hoffarth, President and Executive Director, Forest Park Forever. “This year, we honor and
recognize 25 years of hard work and the dedication of Forest Park Forever volunteers and staff, both
past and present, who have made the park what it is today.”
Forest Park Forever in partnership with the City of St. Louis, and in collaboration with thousands of
citizens, helped to restore the glory of Forest Park. Now in its 25th year, the organization is recommitting
to the ongoing maintenance for the future of Forest Park.
The Master Plan. In 1995, the City of St. Louis adopted a master plan for Forest Park that would
conserve its size, beauty and quality while satisfying the needs of its users. A public/private partnership
was then formed. Forest Park Forever and the city embarked on an effort to raise $100 million in public
and private funds for sweeping improvements to the park’s infrastructure, environment, landscapes,
athletic facilities and historic buildings. This first phase of improvements was largely completed in 2003,
and the success of the public/private restoration of Forest Park became a national model for urban park
renewal.
Sustainability. In 2009, a new Forest Park Forever strategic plan was adopted to guide the park in the
post-restoration era. The plan spelled out five key goals, all focused on using resources to support
sustainability and park preservation:
1. Prioritizing the visitor’s experience.
2. Clarifying and expanding the role of Forest Park Forever to sustain and maintain the park at the
highest standards of excellence.
3. Seeking financial stability and sustainability for the park.
4. Attracting quality leadership.
5. Building community awareness and support for sustaining Forest Park at its current level of
restoration.
Visitor Services. After an extensive renovation in November 2003, the historic Lindell Railway Pavilion
reopened as the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, the first such facility in the park’s
history. Managed by Forest Park Forever and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, the
Visitor Center has quickly become a hub for multi-generational activities. Naturalist Programs have
attracted those wanting to know more about the flora and fauna. Volunteer-led walking tours offer
active recreation coupled with park history and folklore, as well as self-guided audio tours.
Schedule of Forest Park Forever 25th Anniversary Events
Friday, June 24 | 11:30 a.m.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday at the Visitor Center to officially announce the
completion of the “Wheels and Heels” Dual Path Loop. Mayor Slay will attend the event and publicly
present the official “Forest Park Forever Day” proclamation. The double capacity of the dual path system
creates a complete circuit of hard and soft paths that is safer and more accommodating to “heels”
and “wheels,” according to Hoffarth. The softer, gravel surface is perfect for walkers and joggers, while
biking and skating can take place on the harder, paved surface. Attendees present at Friday’s ribbon-
cutting will receive a commemorative 25th anniversary token from Forest Park Forever while supplies
last. (Attendees should plan to arrive by 11:15 a.m. for a short walk to the site).
Saturday, June 25 | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Park-goers can beat the heat on Saturday during the North Star Ice Cream Social at the Visitor Center,
where they can chill out with cones, cool tunes and live entertainment. In addition to North Star frozen
treats, the celebration will feature music by St. Louis’ own “Satin” from Fabulous Motown Revue, The
Greer’s Bluegrass Band, and jazz saxophonist Rod Tate. Mascots from the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis
Rams will join in the fun in addition to face painters and balloon artists. This family-friendly celebration
is open to the public and free to all. Ice cream treats are free as well while supplies last.
Sunday, June 26 | 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Celebrations will come to a close on Sunday with the “I Love Forest Park” 5K. The run/walk and half-mile
youth fun run will wind through the eastern end of Forest Park, starting and finishing at the Upper Muny
parking lot. Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the maintenance of Forest Park, and all paid participants
will receive an “I Love Forest Park” t-shirt.
During our three-day celebration, Forest Park Forever will offer a Special Membership Promotion and
members-only raffle from June 24-26. Guests can buy one new or renewing membership and get a free
gift membership of the same value. Additionally, all members, renewing and new, can sign up for a
chance to win an Ultimate Forest Park Membership Basket which includes memberships to the Saint
Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, The Missouri History Museum and Saint Louis Art Museum.
25th Anniversary sponsors include, North Star, Contemporary Productions, Fleishman-Hillard, Catering
St. Louis, Chase Park Plaza, Turec Advertising Associates, St. Louis Track Club, Casa Gallardo, and
our partners at the City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation and Forestry. Forest Park welcomes more
than 12 million visitors a year, and is home to four major cultural institutions as well as numerous
affordable recreation and entertainment opportunities. For additional information, please visit
www.forestparkforever.org.
About Forest Park Forever
In 1986, Forest Park Forever, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded to work in partnership
with the City of St. Louis and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to restore, maintain and
sustain Forest Park as one of America’s great urban public parks for the enjoyment of all – now and
forever. Learn more at www.forestparkforever.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
ForestParkForever.
