Forever a Place for All of Us

Forest Park. It’s forever where we walk, run, ride and play. Forever a place for making memories with family, friends and neighbors. Forever a habitat for native species and sanctuary for migrating wildlife. Forever a community space open to all. Because Forest Park is ours, it’s up to us to sustain it.

The May 16 tornado was a reminder of how quickly the things we love can change—and the high emotional and financial costs of restoring them. In this season of gratitude and giving, we are grateful for the thousands of supporters who offered to clean up storm debris, donated to tornado recovery and became Forest Park Forever members.

Forever a Restorative Green Space

Ward 10 Alderwoman, Shameem Clark Hubbard, speaks with KMOV reporter Cameron Bopp on A Day 4 Forest Park

Ward 10 Alderwoman, Shameem Clark Hubbard, speaks with KMOV reporter Cameron Bopp on A Day 4 Forest Park

On December 10, we celebrated our members and invited others to join us on A Day 4 Forest Park. During the day-long membership drive, KMOV featured our work and highlighted the deep connection between Forest Park and the St. Louis community. We care for the Park, and the Park restores us.  

Ward 10 Alderwoman, Shameem Clark Hubbard, emphasized that access to this urban oasis is a necessity, not a luxury, particularly for our neighbors affected by the tornado. “Green space is good for our communities physically but also mentally, and we are going through some mental struggles right now,” she said.

Forest Park Forever remains committed to working with the City of St. Louis to maintain this 1,300-acre refuge for all of us—now and forever. Continuing that critical daily work, which now includes tornado recovery, is possible only with the help of those who love the Park and understand the many benefits of enjoying time here.

Forever Our Favorite Park

Members of the Forest Park Forever Young Friends board pose in front of Centene Grizzly Ridge at the Saint Louis Zoo

Luke Smith (third from the right) poses with his fellow members of the Forest Park Forever Young Friends board at the Saint Louis Zoo, where they celebrated at our annual volunteer appreciation event

Someone who spends a lot of time in Forest Park is Luke Smith, who considers it his go-to third space. “I’m there all the time, running, biking, hiking and walking. By myself and with others. We go to The Boathouse. We go ice skating. We take advantage of all the amenities and opportunities to connect with each other and nature.” Luke was heartbroken by the tornado damage in the Park, even as he was repairing his own home after a tree fell on it in the storm.

Visiting Forest Park frequently before the tornado, Luke noticed the constant work it took to maintain and improve it. Last year, he decided to become a member of Forest Park Forever and the Young Friends board to lend his support to our mission.

“The Park doesn’t look like this or operate at this level only because of the people who work here. It’s also the time and money so many people give because they love Forest Park. It’s because of them that so many people come from all over to enjoy it. Without these [volunteers and donors], the Park wouldn’t be what it is. I’m lucky this is my local park that I get to enjoy all the time. I’m happy to support it.”

Thanks to Luke and so many others, we’ve made significant progress cleaning up after the tornado and beginning to restore Forest Park’s tree canopy. We also continued our daily maintenance and care, completed the East Waterways project, advanced the the Glade and Steinberg Rink project and began a major renovation of the Boathouse.

Membership Comes with Park Perks

Get your Forest Park Forever MEMBER decal when you join!

Becoming a Forest Park Forever member provides more than the gratification of supporting a vital public amenity. Members also enjoy:

  • Invitations to exclusive events

  • Discounts on Forest Park Forever merchandise

  • Discounted registration for the I Love Forest Park 5k

  • A “Forest Park Forever Member” decal and more!

Not yet a member? Join today to double the value of your gift! The Enterprise Mobility Foundation will match new membership gifts of up to $1,000 between now and Dec. 31, doubling your contribution.

Already a member? Thank you! Your membership gift helps us continue daily care and restoration of Forest Park, and your employer may match it. Contact your human resources department to find out if you are eligible for this benefit!

Support Forest Park

As the nonprofit conservancy that maintains Forest Park in partnership with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever employs experts in land management, ecology, conservation, park operations, community engagement, education and customer service. We’re now using our expertise to integrate long-term tornado recovery into our annual plans and the master plan for Forest Park.

There’s still so much work to be done and many ways you can help!

Tiffany Webb