Emerson Commits $5 Million to Forest Park Forever

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ST. LOUIS, Feb. 26, 2014 – Forest Park Forever announced today it has received a gift of $5 million from Emerson for Forest Park Forever’s endowment and capital improvement projects, marking the largest gift Forest Park Forever has received from a publicly traded company. The donation continues Emerson’s long history of support for Forest Park Forever’s efforts to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s great urban public parks. 

This substantial gift comes at an exciting time for Forest Park Forever, the private nonprofit that works in partnership with the City of St. Louis to restore and care for the Park. Having established a strong new cooperative agreement with the City in April 2013, the organization is moving forward with a wave of deliberate, strategic improvement projects to fulfill the vision of the Park’s Master Plan. Emerson’s generous gift will make possible not just progress toward the completion of long-needed capital projects, but it also greatly strengthens Forest Park Forever’s endowment, so critical to ensuring that the Park will remain beautiful and accessible throughout the coming centuries. 

 “We are thrilled and grateful to receive this remarkable gift from Emerson,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director. “Emerson has shown great leadership and generosity in supporting one of St. Louis’ most beloved civic treasures. Through its support of Forest Park’s improvement projects and endowment, the legacy of Emerson’s gift will last for generations.” 

“St. Louis is home to Emerson’s corporate headquarters and hundreds of employees, so we have a responsibility to this community to help enrich our cultural institutions like Forest Park,” said Patrick J. Sly, Emerson Executive Vice President. “Emerson is proud to support Forest Park Forever, and we look forward to enjoying the many Park enhancements to come.” 

Emerson’s contribution builds on the company’s longstanding partnership with Forest Park Forever. In 2003, Emerson participated in Forest Park Forever’s Restoring the Glory campaign and donated a $3 million lead gift for the restoration of the iconic and much-beloved Emerson Grand Basin. One of the most photographed landmarks in St. Louis, the Emerson Grand Basin has become a marker of Forest Park Forever’s successful restoration efforts.

“Emerson’s sustained investment in Forest Park is truly inspiring,” said Steve Finerty, Chairman of the Forest Park Forever Board of Directors. “This $5 million gift bolsters the Forest Park endowment for the long-term while also helping us complete this next round of Master Plan improvement projects. The Park’s 13 million annual visitors will benefit from Emerson’s commitment for many years.” 

The company’s commitment to the Park extends beyond the open spaces to the institutions that call Forest Park home. Emerson has been a corporate partner to the Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, The Muny and the Missouri History Museum for many years supporting efforts that make Forest Park a cultural gem in the community. 

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About Forest Park Forever
In 1986, Forest Park Forever, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded to work 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 great urban public parks for the enjoyment of all — now and forever. 

About Emerson 
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world.  The company is comprised of five business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions.  Sales in fiscal 2013 were $24.7 billion.  For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.

FundraisingStephen Schenkenberg