http://www.forestparkforever.org Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 December 21, 2009 Visitor Center volunteer extraordinaire, Fred Rurhwien, kept getting questions about the cannon in Forest Park. The minimal information he had didn’t satisfy him and the mystery of the cannon got under his skin. Fred asked a lot of questions and made a lot of connections, spending more than a year diligently researching the origins of this little known Forest Park feature. His inquiries took him around the globe and back again. The answers and how Fred discovered them are inspiring. Read all about Fred’s discoveries in his interview with the Riverfront Times [1]. Photo Courtesy of the Riverfront Times [1] http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2009/11/mystery_of_spanish_cannon_in_forest_park_revealed.php http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/12/21/visitor-center-volunteer-fred-rurhwien-investigates-the-cannon-in-forest-park/ November 23, 2009 Highway I-64 will be completed and open for traffic on December 7, 2009.  To celebrate this historic event the St. Louis Track Club will be hosting a 5K Highway Run/Walk on the highway on Sunday, December 6th.  The St. Louis Track club is generously donating a portion of the net proceeds from this run to Forest Park Forever! To find out more information about this event click here to download the registration brochure [1] (PDF).  There are no race day entries, so register today with the St. Louis Track Club by mailing the form found in the brochure or click here to register online [2]. From all of us at Forest Park Forever - Thank you St. Louis Track Club [3]!! [4] [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hwy64-entry09.pdf [2] http://www.active.com/running/st-louis-mo/i64-highway-run-2009 [3] http://www.stlouistrackclub.com [4] http://www.forestparkforever.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hwy64-entry09.pdf http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/11/23/forest-park-forever-to-benefit-from-i-64-5k-highway-runwalk/ November 16, 2009 [1] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Pat Nolan pnolan@customerdirect.com [2] 800-332-3756 x336 Customer Direct Sponsors Forest Park Forever Fundraising Company to provide Contact Center for Community Service Since 2003, Customer Direct has teamed up with Forest Park Forever to provide contact center services for its local fundraising efforts.  Once again in 2009, Customer Direct is proud to provide its services and looks forward to another year of successful fundraising for the benefit of a St. Louis treasure, Forest Park. Forest Park Forever’s mission is to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s great urban public parks, for the enjoyment of all ~ now and forever.  The local CBS affiliate, KMOV-TV, provides programming in November and December to enhance exposure for the organization. [3] For more information or to join Forest Park Forever, click here [4] About Customer Direct Founded in 1997, St. Louis-based Customer Direct provides outsourced call center services for a wide variety of clientele.  These outsourced services include customer care, multi-tier technical support and contact center software.  Their domestic and international clients include, the hospitality industry, web retailers, software companies, not-for-profit organizations, financial services organizations, direct marketers, and health care providers.  For more information, visit www.customerdirect.com [5] or call 1-800-332-3756. [1] http://www.customerdirect.com [2] http://www.forestparkforever.orgmailto:pnolan@customerdirect.com [3] http://www.forestparkforever.org [4] http://www.forestparkforever.org [5] http://www.forestparkforever.orgwww.customerdirect.com http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/11/16/customer-direct-local-contact-center-donates-services-for-forest-park-forever-2009-kmov-membership-drive/ September 21, 2009 For Immediate Release Contact: Rebecca Rausch September 21, 2009 314-982-9139 217-299-1667 (cell) rebecca.rausch@fleishman.com 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: Prioritize the visitor’s experience Clarify and expand the role of Forest Park Forever to sustain and maintain the park at the highest standards of excellence Seek financial stability and sustainability for the park Attract quality leadership 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. [caption id="attachment_2319" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Lesley S. Hoffarth "] [1][/caption] Forest Park Forever is a private, nonprofit organization working in partnership with the St. Louis 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. [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/lesley-hoffarth-headshot-2008-04-22.jpg http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/21/major-announcement-new-president-executive-director-announced/ September 10, 2009 On the morning of August 25th, twenty-eight students from Washington University’s School of Law volunteered their time and services to Forest Park.   Areas in which they worked included the Riffles at the Rock Beach as well as continuing the on-going honeysuckle bush removal project.  These hard-working volunteers, in tandem with FPF volunteers & staff, cleared enough honeysuckle to produce two truckloads of wood chips!  To learn more about volunteering with Forest Park Forever visit Volunteer Opportunities [1] or email volunteer@forestparkforever.org [2]. 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 [2]. [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/support/volunteer/ [2] http://www.forestparkforever.orgmailto:volunteer@forestparkforever.org [3] http://www.forestparkforever.orgmailto:volunteer@forestparkforever.org http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/11/whats-happening-in-the-park-washington-university-law-school-project-day-makes-a-big-difference/ September 10, 2009 There is a new amenity going into the Deer Lake Natural Area, a Council Circle.  This arrangement of stones will offer a perfect setting for outdoor educational opportunities as well as a quiet place for park users to enjoy the beauty of the area. Construction has begun and should be completed in early October.  The Council Circle is located off of the path that runs from the Sigel Statue to Deer Lake.  A generous gift by Bill and Gina Wischmeyer has made the construction and annual maintenance of this enhancement possible. http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/10/whats-happening-in-the-park-deer-lake-council-circle/ September 10, 2009 The St. Louis ArtWorks [1] Sculptural Escape team designed and constructed a wonderful new bicycle rack located just east of the Variety Wonderland Playground at the Visitor Center in Forest Park. This bike rack was commissioned by Monsanto [2] in collaboration with Forest Park Forever. Apprentices spent the summer learning design principles and how to engage with clients through the process and completion of this wonderful sculptural and functional art. These students found a creative way to stow your bike while playing off of organic elements of the Park and using the color scheme of the playground to help it complement its surroundings. In addition to the 16 talented and creative student artists, Forest Park Forever would like to thank Monsanto’s Deborah Patterson, Priscilla Block with St. Louis ArtWorks, The Gateway Foundation [3], William Kerr Foundation [4] and SIUE [5] with Teaching Artists, Deb Wheeler and Virginia Jenkins for their support. [1] http://www.stlartworks.org/ [2] http://www.monsanto.com [3] http://www.gateway-foundation.org/ [4] http://www.wakfoundation.org/ [5] http://www.siue.edu/ http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/10/whats-happening-in-the-park-new-bike-rack-at-the-visitors-center/ September 10, 2009 Lighting for the entrances to the Hampton Pedestrian Underpass have been installed.  This beautiful section of the Duel-Path in Forest Park has been a great success and with its wide stature the open and clear view to both sides of the underpass allows for a safe and comfortable path under Hampton Avenue. http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/10/whats-happening-in-the-park-hampton-pedestrian-underpass-lighting-installed/ September 10, 2009 Restoration of the Jewish Tercentenary Memorial is underway.  Visit this beautiful memorial on the east side of the Park near Kingshighway Blvd.  To find this and other monuments and statues visit our Interactive Destinations Map [1]. [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/experience/destinations-2/ http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/10/whats-happening-in-the-park-restoration-of-the-jewish-tercentenary-memorial/ September 3, 2009 New curbing is being installed throughout the Norman K. Probstein Golf Course. Visit Norman K. Probstein Golf Course [1] to find out more information on golfing in Forest Park. [1] http://www.forestparkgc.com/layout9.asp?id=186&page=3382 http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/09/03/whats-happening-in-the-park-new-curbs-installed-at-probstein-golf-course/ August 7, 2009 Find our new interactive map under our experience section here [1]. It is now easier to find out more about Destinations in Forest Park. Sort through the map and filter specifics interests to find exactly what you are looking for. [singlepic id=105 w=320 h=150 float=center] [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/experience/destinations-2/ http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/08/07/forest-park-forever-launches-new-interactive-park-map/ July 31, 2009 Work will begin on the South Arrival Experience project on August 12, 2009. The first phase of the project will require that Wells Drive be closed to through traffic. Notification of the Wells Drive closure will begin Monday, August 3, 2009. Signage boards that will be progressively updated will be positioned at the intersection of Hampton & Wells, and Tamm & Wells. http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/07/31/wells-drive-closing-announcement/ July 29, 2009 Forest Park's Annual Teacher's Academy, Voyagers comes to a close. To view the projects of the teachers and to learn more about the Teacher's Academy, click here [1]. [1] http://tinyurl.com/voyagers2009 http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/07/29/2009-forest-park-forever-voyagers-teachers-academy/ July 30, 2009 The wait is over. If you live in the city, practicing on your golf game just got easier. The Highlands at Forest Park’s driving range opened this week. Formerly known as Triple A, its hours will be 10 a.m. till about 7-7:30 p.m. seven days a week, until the electricity is run for the lighting, said Doug Barnhouse, director of golf at Norman K. Probstein Golf Course. [...] Click here to see the full article at STLtoday.com http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/07/29/new-golf-course-and-driving-range-featured-in-stltodaycom/ July 24, 2009 Picnic site #8 has recently been renovated with a new roof replacing the previous moss roof. Learn more about Picnics in Forest Park [1] Click here for information on how to reserve a picnic pavilion [2] [singlepic id=95 w=200 h=240 float=center] [1] http://www.forestparkforever.org/experience/destinations/picnics/ [2] http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/fppicnics.html http://www.forestparkforever.org/2009/07/24/whats-happening-in-the-park-picnic-pavilion-renovation/