Be the Heart of the Park: Support Forest Park Today

As the “heart of the Park,” Forest Park Forever members bridge the past, present and future of what was again voted the #1 city park in the United States. They provide the resources needed to keep the Park's heart beating.

Since the late 19th century, millions of visitors have attached memories to every spot in Forest Park, from the creeks and streams to the woods and trails. But nearly 150 years take their toll on even the Park's most cherished places.

The contributions from Forest Park Forever members help conserve natural habitats, preserve welcoming landscapes and maintain everyone's favorite spot, spread over 1,300 acres—a diverse ecosystem of waterways and green spaces, vistas and historic structures. Generous people allow the nonprofit conservancy to care for Forest Park year-round, plus members receive some neat perks.

Keeping Forest Park at its best allows memories to live on in the hearts of yesterday's visitors, even as the Park creates new memories for the visitors of today and tomorrow.

At this year's annual Member Appreciation Day, we asked several members about their favorite spots in their beloved Park. While answers varied, a few locations jumped out as the most popular spots that fill St. Louisans’ hearts.

Read on to learn more about the personal histories attached to these places—and how your Forest Park Forever membership will sustain them when you become the heart of the Park.

Kennedy Forest, Tamed!

Forest Park Forever charter member Ann G. has enjoyed Forest Park her entire life. But as she has grown with the Park, her favorite spots have changed.

"As an adult, my favorite place in the Park now is Kennedy Forest," she says. "You don't think you're in a metropolitan area. You think you're out in the country somewhere until you suddenly see some of the tall buildings on Skinker."

The 65-acre Kennedy Forest is the Park's oldest asset, but by the 1960s, the Forest had shrunk to just 26 acres. Conservationists added acreage in the 1970s but often focused more on planting trees than caring for the ground beneath them. That led to a dark forest full of invasive species, such as honeysuckle and wintercreeper, that made it less accessible to visitors. Forest Park Forever’s restoration efforts, funded by membership donations and grants, have changed all that.

Another member, Mary, remembers those days.

"You never went into Kennedy Forest. Ever!" she recalls of her youth. "And now, I would come here by myself. I wouldn't think anything of it. It's perfectly fine to come in here anytime, day or night, anywhere in the Park. I love it more now because it's much more accessible."

Thanks to Forest Park Forever’s expert staff, these efforts are guided by careful planning and strategy. The recently completed Forest Park Natural Resources Plan—a generous gift from the Mysun Foundation and assembled with the help of Forest Park Forever's longtime partner, the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry—will help Kennedy Forest continue to grow and thrive for future generations. 

Every Forest Park Forever membership helps. Not part of the Zoo-Museum Tax District, the Park depends on donations to Forest Park Forever for most of its maintenance funding each year. 

"Implementing the resources plan and addressing ongoing challenges, such as preserving the big oaks needed for the forest's upper canopy, require everyone's help," says Forest Park Forever Park Ecologist Amy Witt. "Proper forest restoration needs never end."  

Welcome to the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center!

Known by its fans as "the visitors' center," the home of Forest Park Forever also enjoys a fascinating past. Built as the Lindell Pavilion Streetcar Shelter in 1892, it speaks to the city's many transportation transformations and has been an important meet-up place for all.

"We lived on McPherson, and no matter where in the Park, we always had to go to the bathroom before we started to walk home," Ann G. says. "We were three little kids, and our big brother had to navigate us to the restroom in the visitors' center."

However, the visitors' center was not the welcoming place it is today.

"It used to be for the golfers, and it was dark--at least in my memory," Ann recalls. "And there were the lockers on both sides and some refreshments. So we would go into that dark, scary building. But now we can come out of this bright Park and make it over to this beautiful visitors' center."

The visitors' center is also a bright spot for member Laura Carly.

When Carly's daughter was going on an eight-month international trip, they stopped at the visitors' center before she left "because my dad was working there as a volunteer. I have pictures of him showing her all these maps and information about the Park on our way to the airport."

The impromptu lesson left a mark. That same daughter chose Forest Park as the site of her wedding reception.

"It was just a beautiful evening, and everybody loved it," Carly says. "It was such a fun day, and it was just such a happy event for my family because Forest Park has meant so much to us. Our family loves Forest Park, and we will always love Forest Park."

Nature, Play and Design: The Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape

In its first year, the Nature Playscape has already become a favorite spot in Forest Park, especially among younger Park visitors.

"My grandson and granddaughter love the Playscape!" said one Forest Park Forever member. "They have four cousins of similar ages, and they all played where the water flows all the way down and down for an hour or two. They had their shoes off and were all wet and climbing all over the place. We had to drag 'em out of there!"

Forest Park Forever member Mary volunteers at the Playscape.

"I come here pretty often," she says. "The Playscape is one of the things that's changed the most in recent years, in addition to Kennedy Forest. Those have been huge improvements." 

Designed in partnership with the City of St. Louis' Office on the Disabled, the playscape is accessible for different abilities and a place for all kids.

In fact, even the canine set enjoys it. Members Lory Cooper and Adam Naylor had their "last first date" at Forest Park. Lory brought her new puppy.

"Before our date, I asked him, 'Hey, should I bring my puppy?' Lory remembers. "He didn't respond at first, but finally, he said, 'Whatever you want.' So I brought the puppy, but he was very distracting. Adam said, 'Why'd you bring your dog? That's a terrible idea!'" she laughs.

But Adam grew to love both Lory and the dog. The couple later got engaged, also in Forest Park.

"The dog knows his way around Forest Park, and he has his favorite spots," Lory continues. "He loves the Playscape. He likes to chase the rocks into the water."

Asked why she supports Forest Park Forever, Lory’s answer reflected happiness as genuine as the wagging of a dog’s tail.

"I give to things that bring me joy," Lory concludes, "and Forest Park brings me joy."

Don’t Delay: Add Your Heart to the Park!

While major gifts have contributed to many favorite places in the Park, its’s the memberships of everyday Park-goers like Ann G., Mary, Schwartz, Cooper and Naylor that fund the green care and maintenance that ensures Forest Park remains a great place to enjoy.

By joining Forest Park Forever, you can join them by investing in the spots holding special places in your heart—and in the hearts of all who will follow in your footsteps.