Leffingwell Society Evening Celebrates Leadership Support

Forest Park Forever celebrated Leffingwell Society members on a beautiful September evening in Forest Park, with dinner and music in the World’s Fair Pavilion preceded by a special twist: cocktail hour in the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape.

Leffingwell Society members of Forest Park Forever play a leadership role in ensuring the Park remains beautiful and well-maintained. Their annual membership gifts provide more than 75% of the annual funds our nonprofit raises to maintain and sustain Forest Park.

At this special event, we were also proud to celebrate the recipients of our Leffingwell Award, bestowed annually to a corporation, foundation or individuals who have made a significant contribution of time, talent or resources to the restoration and maintenance of Forest Park. The 2025 recipients are Anne O’Connell Albrecht and Doug Albrecht, two longtime Leffingwell members who have also lent their time to Forest Park’s leadership and supported major restoration and capital improvements.

The cocktail hour was an opportunity for supporters to talk with Forest Park Forever experts and explore the Playscape, which opened in 2021 and serves a valuable educational role for local schools and for self-guided play. As many members discovered for the first time, it’s also a beautiful backdrop for people of every age, in every season.

During the evening’s program, Leffingwell Society members also heard the latest Park updates from President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth, who emphasized the importance of their support this year as Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis navigated recovery from the devastating May 16 tornado.

Year after year, consistent support from Leffingwell Society members is crucial not only to our ability to maintain the Park through each season, but also to make the long-term plans that are necessary to sustain the Park well into the future.