People around the world spend thousands of dollars traveling to Las Vegas to see over-the-top magic shows, but St. Louisans know the real magic is in Forest Park.

The magic of togetherness. The magic of rebirth, regrowth and renewal. The magic of nature’s colors, smells and sounds. The magic of discovery. And there’s no sleight-of-hand, no tricks, no illusions. Forest Park’s magic is real, and it’s right here, in the heart of the city, free and open to everyone.

No one knows the magic of Forest Park better than Forest Park Forever Members. They have chosen to support the Park because of their deep, personal connections to these 1,300 acres of forests, flowers and lakes, the undisputed “Jewel of St. Louis.”

Below, we share some stories of what makes Forest Park so magical for our members, and you can see their faces and hear their voices in our special year-end video. Enjoy!

Be Healthy

When Elson Williams Jr. came to St. Louis following military service in Vietnam, he found a home in Forest Park.

“I had been in the Army, and when I came here, I was by myself, so I just started running and meeting people in the Park,” Williams remembered. “That’s just how it happened.”

Soon, a regular group of people started making a ritual of running together in the Park. The group’s informal “members”——called themselves “The Legends of Forest Park.” They still meet in the Park regularly, some 50 years later.

Wiley Brandon is another one of The Legends. Like Williams, his jogging and running days are mostly behind him, but Forest Park is still part of his health routine.

“We’ve been coming even since before Forest Park Forever got involved, when it was in not-too-good of a condition, but Forest Park Forever has done some great things to the Park,” Brandon said. “That’s why we like coming here now.”

Whether rollerblading, biking, running, walking or playing handball on Sunday afternoons like Forest Park Forever member Ralph Tidwell, Forest Park offers unlimited opportunities to be healthy while enjoying fresh air, open spaces and plenty of Vitamin D.

“This is the only place I go ,” Williams said. “I just love it. I love it a lot.”

Be Hopeful

Seeing children at play in the new Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape or in an upgraded, more accessible playground. Watching flowers fade in the fall only to bloom again in the spring. Enjoying facilities that Forest Park Forever has renewed. These are all reasons to be hopeful for the future of the Park and of St. Louis.

But some members have even more powerful reasons to find the magic of hope in Forest Park.

Susan Brantley moved to St. Louis’ DeMun neighborhood from Pennsylvania in 2006. The Park immediately drew her in with its many free amenities and natural beauty.

“We had moved for the first time, not knowing a soul and without children, so we didn’t have the connection with other families,” Brantley said. “The Park really saved me from being sad and lonely. I had a golden retriever at the time, and I walked him every day in the Park, and it was really what got me out of a sad place. It was quite an important thing in my life.”

For others, Forest Park offers a different kind of hope. Many have donated to dedicate commemorative trees in the Park, including Peter and Nancy Smith.

“We have a tree in the Park, dedicated to some twins that we lost,” Nancy said. “We love to go there, say a little prayer, and hope for them.”

Be Happy

For Nique Fajors and his family—Saba Fajors, Faiza Zarroug and Zina Fajors—Forest Park has made everyone happy since they moved to St. Louis seven years ago. Today, the kids are older, but Nique said that makes them appreciate the Park even more.

“We don’t get to spend as much time together as we used to,” he explained. “Forest Park gives us a great opportunity to come out and be together. Otherwise, time just sort of passes away. Forest Park helps you appreciate family time, the outdoors and sunshine.”

One highlight of their years is Forest Park Forever’s annual Member Appreciation Day. “Whether it was hayrides or bicycles that made smoothies the more you pedaled them, all the kids could find something to make them happy.”

Nique added that the Park recently made him and his teenaged son happy—as well as healthy and hopeful.

“Three weeks ago, my son and I biked to the Park from our home in Olivette. That was great exercise, and as I told my son recently, my father lived until 95, and I want to be a great-grandfather, so I want to live to 100,” Nique recalled. “Being out in the fresh air with all this green can only help me be happy and give me the hope that I’ll make it to 100!”

Be Magic

With nothing hidden and nothing up their sleeves, Forest Park Forever members make everyone’s lives more magical simply through their membership.

By becoming a member, you too can help Forest Park continue to make spellbinding stories for St. Louisans and others for generations to come.

After all, as member Sharon Daugherty said, “Who would say no?”

HELP MAKE THE MAGIC OF FOREST PARK POSSIBLE