Young Friends
Who are the Young Friends of Forest Park Forever?
The Young Friends of Forest Park Forever is a group of young people who play a crucial role in maintaining and sustaining Forest Park. The typical age range for this affinity group is twenties to thirties, and all are welcome to join.
The Young Friends Board members manage the group and work with Young Friends Committees to organize opportunities, advocate, fundraise and volunteer in the Park.
Membership has its perks!
Enjoy these benefits when you become a Young Friends Member today.
Invitation to our annual member appreciation event
Forest Park Forever Newsletter
Discounted merchandise and I Love Forest Park 5K registration fee
Forest Park Forever Member decal
25% off an annual locker room membership at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center
Coupon book for discounts at Park attractions
Forest Park Forever sunglasses
Want to Connect with the Young Friends?
The Young Friends organize several volunteer opportunities and ticketed events throughout the year. And you do not need to be a Young Friends Member to attend!
Ticketed events:
February Trivia Night
May Golf Tournament
September Young Friends Social
Saturday volunteer opportunities:
Trash & Trails
March details coming soon
June details coming soon
August details coming soon
Invasive Species Removal & Forest Restoration project day in November
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Board applications are open from January through February.
The Young Friends Board meets quarterly and is the guiding force behind the Young Friends of Forest Park Forever affinity group. Board members help decide what events the group will host and the general direction of the group with the help of a Forest Park Forever staff liaison.
Check back during the application period to apply! Applications will close at the end of February, and the current Young Friends Board President and Forest Park Forever staff members will review them.
Selected applicants will receive an official invitation to join the Young Friends Board. Upon acceptance, applicants will receive an email invitation to join the Young Friends on Basecamp (a project management software that serves as a group hub) and e-calendar invites to applicable meetings for the year.
After one year of Young Friends Board service, individuals are eligible to apply for a position on a Forest Park Forever Board Committee.
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Committee positions are open all year long. You do have to be a current Young Friends member to submit a request to join a committee. Available committees are Events, Membership, and Golf. Committees meet on the last Thursday of each month to provide support and plan for each upcoming event.
Committee members will receive an email invitation to join the Young Friends Basecamp and will receive e-calendar invitations to all upcoming meetings.
To apply for a Young Friends Committee, please email the Young Friends staff liaison, Caira Starnes.
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To become a Young Friends member, you must also be a member of Forest Park Forever at the Keeper of the Park ($100) level or above. When submitting your membership application, click the dropdown menu next to “Membership affinity group” and select “Young Friends.”
Forest Park Forever Staff Liaison
Caira Starnes, Manager of Annual Giving
2024 Young Friends Board
Zack Bluestone, Chair
Chris Borders
Joe Burch
Maria Coxon
Joshua Dull
Allyson LeBlanc
Todd Mannion
Lia Nunez
Jen O'Neal
Jennifer O'Neal
Tim Schweiss
Dan Reilly
Steven Rose
Rebecca Thessen
Jerry Thomeczek
Mark Timmerman