All of us at Forest Park Forever are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jack C. Taylor, a transformative and visionary civic leader and benefactor for the St. Louis region and beyond. As I was honored to learn from him over the years, Jack truly loved Forest Park. He and his family have great personal memories of the Park, from visiting the old Boathouse as kids to sledding down Art Hill to reveling in the beauty of each season’s annual displays. Yet through his generosity and leadership, Jack ensured that Forest Park would become a community treasure for all of us — a destination beloved by millions of families from every background and from around the world. Forest Park’s return to greatness is simply unimaginable without him. As the story of Forest Park continues to be written — one of joy, connection and beauty — Jack Taylor will forever be a part of it.

— Lesley S. Hoffarth, President and Executive Director, Forest Park Forever

Above: The Boathouse in Forest Park, restored through the generosity of Jack C. Taylor. (Photograph by Randy Allen)