Forest Park Forever, the nonprofit conservancy that partners with the City of St. Louis to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park, will present its 2022 Leffingwell Award to longtime supporters and community leaders David and Lelia Farr. 

Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director of Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., and Board of Directors Chair Sue McCollum will present the award on Sept. 29 at the organization’s annual Leffingwell Society Dinner, a gathering of the organization’s leadership donor group. 

The Leffingwell Award is bestowed annually to a corporation, foundation or individuals who have made a significant contribution of time, talent or resources to the restoration and maintenance of Forest Park. The award is named for Hiram W. Leffingwell, one of the earliest supporters of Forest Park after its founding in 1876. 

The Farrs have lent their leadership and philanthropic support to many civic and charitable organizations that are vital to St. Louis, including Forest Park Forever.

“David and Lelia have been so generous and thoughtful with their personal support and time over the years,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever. “I’ve had many great conversations with Lelia about what Forest Park means to our region and to the Farrs personally. Even while leading an international company, David has always been extremely generous with his time and valuable insight for the benefit of Forest Park and all of St. Louis.”

The Farrs made a significant gift to Forest Park Forever’s Forever campaign, which raised $139 million for Park restoration projects and an expanded endowment, and they have long built support throughout the region for the Park’s restoration. Under David Farr’s leadership, the global corporation Emerson continued a tradition of support for major initiatives in St. Louis, including Forest Park Forever’s restoration of Emerson Grand Basin and the Emerson Central Fields. Members of Farr’s leadership team at Emerson also long served on Forest Park Forever’s board of directors.

David Farr was the chief executive officer of Emerson from 2000-2021 and chairman of Emerson’s board of directors from 2004-2021. He has been active in board and leadership roles for a wide range of St. Louis civic and charitable organizations, including current service on the executive board of The Muny in Forest Park, and past leadership of United Way of Greater St. Louis campaigns. He was a member and past president of Civic Progress, an organization of chief executives from leading companies in St. Louis who work together to promote the region, now part of Greater St. Louis, Inc. In recognition of his community leadership and charitable activities, David was named St. Louis Citizen of the Year in 2011, recognized by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation with the Semper Fidelis Award in 2012, inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2014, and honored with the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2021 C-Suite Awards.

Lelia Farr has passionately served the St. Louis community over the past 25 years, including roles on many boards of trustees and leadership of many charitable fund-raising efforts. She currently serves on the Executive and other Board of Trustees committees for the Missouri Botanical Garden, having led the Board as Chairman for four years; and serves on the Opera Theatre of St. Louis Board of Trustees as Vice Chairman. She has also served leadership and trustee positions at Wake Forest University, the Saint Louis Art Museum, John Burroughs School, Ladue Garden Club, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Dance St. Louis, Touhill Performing Arts Center, Ladue Chapel and the Service Bureau. She is also a passionate hands-on volunteer for local institutions such as University City Children's Center, Ladue Chapel, The Salvation Army, Operation Food Search, Beyond Housing and Sunshine Ministries.

Lelia retired from Price Waterhouse as a Managing Director, Management Consulting Services. She is currently launching a new company, Jupiter Well-being, to provide well-being coaching and to teach meditation and holistic health classes. Lelia was awarded the 2014 Woman of the Year by Variety, the Children’s Charity of St. Louis.

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 great urban public parks for a diverse community of visitors to enjoy, now and forever. 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 7,000 members, 1,100 volunteers and many leading community and corporate partners.

Connect with us at facebook.com/forestparkforever, twitter.com/forestpark4ever and instagram.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 2022, Forest Park was voted the Best City Park in the country in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.