The event will share findings from a 2015 survey and four-day public open house and workshop where public input was gathered

Contact:
Katy Peace, Marketing & Digital Media Manager | kpeace@forestparkforever.org | 314.561.3290

ST. LOUIS, August 16, 2016 – Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry are hosting a public open house to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to review strategies for better access and connectivity in and around Forest Park. This free event will take place in the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center (5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park) on Thursday, August 18, from 4 – 7:00 p.m.; an introductory presentation will be available all evening, and a formal presentation will be given at 6:30 p.m. The study team will be available to answer questions at stations including an introduction to the study, pedestrian strategies, bicycle strategies, transit strategies, parking strategies and the long-term connectivity vision for Forest Park.

“We are excited to update the public about meaningful progress made on improving connectivity and mobility in Forest Park,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever. “Strategies and concepts shared this evening are the culmination of nine months of valuable engagement with the public and Park stakeholders. This is an important step in developing a long-term vision, in line with the Forest Park Master Plan, for improving how people get in and around this popular destination.”

Late last fall, Forest Park Forever and the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry gathered broad public input around improving walking, biking, driving and transit-riding in Forest Park. More than 1,300 community members shared experiences and ideas about getting in and around Forest Park through a public survey and a four-day open house and workshop.

On August 18, members of Forest Park Forever, the City of St. Louis and our consultants will report back to the community on what we learned from Park users and stakeholders and the key areas of focus moving forward.

“This has been a thorough process with broad public input and meaningful collaboration across a number of groups that connect here in Forest Park,” said Greg Hayes, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the City of St. Louis. “This study is providing us with a fresh, wide-ranging look at how to improve the experience of all Forest Park visitors, from walkers and bikers to drivers and those riding transit.” 

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About Forest Park Forever

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.

Along with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever raised $100 million between 1995 and 2003 and dramatically restored many landmark destinations in Forest Park, including the Emerson Grand Basin, the Boathouse and the Jewel Box.

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 7,000 members, 1,100 volunteers and many leading community and corporate partners.

Connect with us at facebook.com/forestparkforever,  twitter.com/forestpark4ever andinstagram.com/forestparkforever.

About Forest Park

Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, is considered one of the nation’s greatest urban public parks. The Park’s 1,300 acres feature beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region’s major cultural institutions and endless opportunities for recreation. Forest Park attracts 13 million visitors each year, making it the sixth most visited urban park in the United States. In 2016, Forest Park was voted the #1 City Park in the country by readers of USA Today.

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