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About Forest Park Forever
Founded in 1986, Forest Park Forever is a private nonprofit conservancy that partners with the City of St. Louis to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America's great urban public parks for a diverse community of visitors to enjoy, now and forever.
Forest Park Forever leads the fundraising for projects called for in the Forest Park Master Plan. Our experts deliver seasonal experiences and educational opportunities to kids and adults. And our team manages capital projects that benefit the whole community, like restoring Emerson Grand Basin, creating the 17-acre Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape and the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts, which opened in 2024.
Although our nonprofit partners with the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to sustain Forest Park, we're not part of the region's Zoo Museum Tax District. Restoring landmark destinations in Forest Park, along with the seasonal care of this beloved urban greenspace, depends on private donations from our community.
Forest Park for Everyone
Forest Park was dedicated on June 24, 1876, coinciding with the centenary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
In their remarks, the Park's founders highlighted the vision that St. Louisans wanted a park where "the rich and poor, the merchant and mechanic, the professional man and the day laborer, each with his family and lunch basket, can come and enjoy his own ... all without stint or hindrance ... and there will be no notice put up to 'Keep off the grass.'"
Our nonprofit conservancy upholds that vision today. The 1,300-acre park encompass woodlands and waterways, recreational areas, dual pathways, prairies and awe-inspiring landscapes. Forest Park is also home to world-class institutions that challenge the mind and various popular festivals and events set in the background of St. Louis City’s urban oasis.
Help us maintain this remarkable resource for future generations!
Forest Park Forever Facts & Resources
Founded: 1986
Office HQ: Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center and our Land Management team works throughout the Park
Interactive Map of Forest Park
President Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E. and our Leadership team
Our Staff: 50+
Forest Park Facts & Resources
Dedicated: 1876
Free
Home to five major cultural institutions: the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, The Muny and the Saint Louis Zoo
Location on Google Maps
Park-wide events calendar (not inclusive of all happenings in Forest Park)
1,300 acres
2.5 nautical miles of waterway
15.5 million annual visitors
47,000 trees
Forest Park Master Plan is on this City of St. Louis website
Host of 1904 World's Fair
“I present to you, the people of the County of St. Louis, your own, this large and beautiful Forest Park for the enjoyment of yourselves, your children and your children’s children forever . . . The rich and poor, the merchant and mechanic, the professional man and the day laborer, each with his family and lunch basket, can come here and enjoy his own . . . all without stint or hinderance . . . and there will be no notice put up, ‘Keep Off the Grass.”