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Letter, Table of Contents

Construction Projects

Financials

Board Members

2000 Annual Report

Dear Friends of Forest Park:

It is a pleasure to submit to the Citizens of the City and surrounding areas the Annual Report of the Forest Park Advisory Board. 2001 was a busy year for the Board. Many “Heart of the Park” projects that are targeted for completion by 2004 received their Board approvals this year. Projects receiving final approval in 2001 were 9 and 18 hole Golf Courses and the new Golf Clubhouse, Aviation Field, Fish Hatcheries area and the Jewel Box. Construction began on these projects before the end of 2001. Most are scheduled for completion in 2002.

The Planetarium and Steinberg Skating rink reopened this year after extensive renovation and improvement. The entrance to the planetarium now welcomes you from the intersection of Clayton and Faulkner Drives and the parking lot has been reconfigured and landscaped. Steinberg Rink no longer charges admission to visit and watch skaters. Its parking lot also serves as parking for the park’s path system.

The Board worked on difficult issues this year. We reviewed a proposal for entrances designed by Lawrence Halprin. The Board chose to recommend to the Director that he grant approval of the prospectus presented. Board approval permitted an interesting and lively public dialog with the History Museum, Parks Department and Forest Park Forever all receiving public comment. Feelings and emotions about Forest Park were expressed with the comments about the gate design. This dialog helped keep Forest Park on the mind of the community.

The Board worked on neighborhood access issues. All neighborhoods surrounding the park will be asked to sacrifice so this Master Plan may be fully implemented. It is the job of our Board to see that the balance set forth in the Master Plan is maintained, while recognizing the importance of the neighborhoods immediately bordering the park.

The Board approved a controversial plan to remove over 400 trees to install the new golf courses. Removal of these trees in the area along Lindell Boulevard has sparked a debate in the community and in the Board regarding removal of trees in Forest Park. Again, the vision of the Master Plan must be balanced with respect for the Park’s current beauty.

2002 will be another busy year for the Advisory Board as we complete approvals of the remaining “Heart of the Park” projects including Grand Basin, Post Dispatch Lake, Deer Lake and Steinberg Landscaping, Forest Park Boathouse, Top of Art Hill, Interim Improvements to Valley Drive, Lindell Pavilion and Lagoon Drive. The meetings of the Forest Park Advisory Board are open to the public. Copies of the minutes of the meeting are available at the Parks Department office at 5600 Clayton Avenue, in Forest Park.

Last year's annual report is available on the web at http://stlouis.missouri.org/government/docs/forestpark/.

Sincerely,