Founded in 1986, Forest Park Forever is a private nonprofit conservancy that works in partnership with the City of St. Louis and the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry to restore, maintain, and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s greatest urban public parks. Forest Park Forever has led major fundraising efforts to restore many landmark destinations in Forest Park, including the Emerson Grand Basin, the Boathouse, and the Jewel Box. In 2017, the organization completed a major fundraising campaign securing $139 million for park restoration projects and an expanded endowment.
Today, Forest Park Forever maintains Forest Park with the City of St. Louis; raises funds for and helps manage capital restoration projects called for in the Forest Park Master Plan; delivers experiential educational opportunities to teachers, students, and adults; and provides information and guides for the park’s 13 million annual visitors. Not part of the Zoo-Museum Tax District, Forest Park Forever is supported by private donations from throughout the community, including its 8,000 members, 1,300 volunteers, and many leading community and corporate partners.
