2019 Annual Report The St. Louis County Parks Foundation has been created to support and promote the facilities, programs, capital improvements and resources of the St. Louis County Parks. Letter from the President

It has been an exciting year for the St. Louis County Parks We are continually working with the Parks Department to Foundation. Due to the volunteer efforts of many board identify additional projects. We have been talking with members and others, the Foundation has made great many other foundations, corporations and individuals progress this year. It has been a year of meeting new explaining our mission and asking them to join us in this people through the St. Louis County Parks Master Plan with great work. interests in the park department and exploring new ways to raise money for needed projects through grant writing, solicitations and special events.

The St. Louis County Parks Master Plan was completed in early 2018. This plan will guide the Department and the Foundation in the recreational trends, needs and desires of Mark R. Ohlendorf the residents of the County. The Foundation will utilize the President, St. Louis County Parks Foundation outcome of the plan as a focus for our fundraising efforts for the next several years.

Bee Tree Park STLCOUNTYPARKSFOUNDATION.ORG 2 2019 Park Highlights

165 44 12,465 MILES OF TRAILS PLAYGROUNDS TOTAL ACRES

67,428 42,311 1.4 Million TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS VISITORS AT THE TAILS & VISITS TO OUR 6 HISTORIC & TRAILS DOG PARK CULTURAL SITES

10 Million 303,000+ VISITORS ENJOYED OUR 115 TOTAL ST. LOUIS COUNTY 77 SHELTERS FOR FAMILY WEDDINGS WERE HELD IN PARK ATTENDANCE EVENTS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, ST. LOUIS COUNTY PARKS FUNDRAISERS, ETC.

3 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Parks Foundation Board Members

Mark Ohlendorf, President David P. Weiss Mark R. Ohlendorf has been active in many civic activities in Mr. Weiss, a practicing lawyer with Sandberg, Phoenix, the St. Louis area. He is a semi-retired businessman who has Von Gontard, P.C., is a firm believer in giving back to the launched several businesses in the dental field. He will use community, Weiss has served in a variety of capacities, his extensive business experience to develop, organize and including serving as the Chairman of the business Education promote the Saint Louis County Parks Foundation. Committee for the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, served on the St. Louis School Alumni Association, and Virginia V. McCook, Vice President former trustee of Webster University. These are just a few of Virginia V. McCook is an active community volunteer for the the many boards and originations on which he has served. Botanical Gardens, Master Gardeners of Missouri, and the St. Louis County parks. She has served on several Robert Schweizer Boards for these organizations. She is retired from owning/ Robert has been involved with the Boy Scouts and youth operating a restaurant franchise. She will use her expertise sports. He now serves as Senior Project Manager for Wells to further the awareness of the St. Louis County Parks Fargo where he directs programs and project managers Foundation. in the design and execution of large Strategic efforts. His experience with planning, organization, and delivery will be Marshall Galliers, Secretary used with efforts such as the Foundation’s undertaking to Retired Finance Executive for Elsevier, Inc., a global science restore the Nims Mansion in Bee Tree County Park. and medical publishing company. Currently Marshall serves as a board member of the Clayton Ladue Rotary Colleen Wasinger Club, Volunteer Mediator for the Better Business Bureau Colleen is an attorney, a graduate of the St. Louis University of St. Louis and board member of the Creve Coeur Sailing School of Law and is licensed in Missouri. She brings Association. a wealth of experience in leading public sector efforts ranging from health care, children’s and women’s support Eric R. Moses, CPA, CVA, Treasurer organizations, and scholarships for youth who strive to Eric R. Moses is a practicing CPA for Maher & Co. Eric has overcome adversity. Colleen served our community on the extensive experience in Tax preparation for individuals, St. Louis County Council as an elected official for 12 years. corporations, trusts and tax exempt agencies. At Maher& She joined our board in 2019. Co Eric is involved planning and consultation, assignment and management projects for various organizations. He is a Jeff Davis member of several professional and national associations. Jeff leads HOK’s planning, urban design and landscape architecture studio in St. Louis. Working on standalone Gene McNary planning projects or as part of integrated design teams, he Gene has spent much of his life in public service. In has delivered hundreds of successful projects that improve 1974 he was elected St. Louis County Executive and was how people live across the U.S. and overseas. His designs subsequently elected to three additional terms. The County blend economic, social and environmental sustainability. Parks system was developed and greatly improved under his leadership. McNary was appointed Commissioner of the United States Immigration and Naturalization service in 1989. Governor Matt Blunt appointed McNary to serve as Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming commission. He is president of the Special Education Foundation of St. Louis County and previously served as Chairman of Shriner’s Hospital. Recreation Centers

St. Louis County Parks supports six recreation centers Recreation Center Usage located throughout St. Louis County: Gym/Arena Rentals...... 201,540 North County Recreation Complex General Attendance...... 95,712 Veterans Memorial Park Ice Rinks...... 93,912 2577 Redman Road, St. Louis, MO 63136 Programs & Events...... 82,092 Pools & Aquatic Centers...... 79,434 St. Vincent Community Center Meeting Room Rentals...... 74,158 St. Vincent Park Fitness Room Attendance...... 64,163 Total...... 691,011 7335 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63133 9%

Affton White-Rodgers Community 29% 11% Center 9801 Mackenzie Road, St. Louis, MO 63123

The Pavilion at Lemay Jefferson Barracks Park 11% 691,011 305 Gregg Road, St. Louis, MO 63125 TOTAL ATTENDANCE Kennedy Recreation Complex 6050 Wells Road, St. Louis, MO 63128 12% 14% Greensfelder Recreation Complex Queeny Park 550 Weidman Road, St. Louis, MO 63011 14%

North County Recreation Complex Pavilion at Lemay Aquatic Center

5 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Cultural & Historic Sites

St. Louis County Parks is aware of the importance of offering the community places to explore culture, art and history in addition to recreational spaces. The Department supports seven historic and cultural sites that cover everything from military history to modern art.

Laumeier Sculpture Park - Founded in 1976, Laumeier is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the country.

Fort Belle Fontaine - Fort Belle Fontaine was the first U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River, established in 1805.

General Daniel Bissell House - The Bissell House was built between 1812 and 1820 and is an outstanding and early example of the Federal style of architecture in the Missouri Territory.

Frank Lloyd Wright House - The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park is a unique and significant residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, widely recognized as the greatest American architect of the 20th century. Faust Historic Village Historic Village & Thornhill Grounds at Faust Park - The Historic Village at Faust Park includes four homes and 14 additional structures representing a variety of building and architectural styles, from log to brick. All of which have been saved from demolition and preserved by Park staff.

Built ca. 1819 for Missouri’s second governor, Frederick Bates, Thornhill is the oldest standing governor’s home in Missouri and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park - The St. Louis Carousel, with its St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park 60 hand carved horses and four deer, is located within a climate-controlled building inside beautiful Faust Park in West St. Louis County. The St. Louis Carousel is an original 1920s carousel from the Dentzel Co. of Philadelphia.

Jefferson Barracks Park and Museums - Jefferson Barracks, established in 1826, as the country’s first “Infantry School of Practice,” served as a major U.S. military installation until it was deactivated in June 1946. The 426 acre park includes trails, disc golf, picnic shelters, a recreation center, an ampitheater and museums that offer exhibits, educational programs and special events. Fort Belle Fontaine

STLCOUNTYPARKSFOUNDATION.ORG 6 Completed Projects

The St. Louis County Parks Foundation has made great progress since its inception in the summer of 2015.

2015 • Installed fountain at • Built Expression Swings at Bella Fontaine, Faust, Tilles and Suson parks

2016 • Installed fountain at Faust Park • Purchased a new gym divider curtain for the North County Recreation Complex • Built three shade structures at the Aquatic Center at the Foundation kickoff event & fountain dedication at Tilles Park Pavilion at Lemay

2017 • Received $50,000 grant from the Gateway Foundation • Planted trees in Jefferson Barracks Park

2018 • Installed fountain at Spanish Lake Park • Replaced splash pad at Castlepoint Park • Completed the Family Trail at Spanish Lake Park • Foundation president, Mark Ohlendorf, received the Land Conservancy Award for 2018 from the Open Space Council of the Greater St. Louis Region

2019 Jefferson Barracks Family Trail ribbon cutting • Foundation given the 2019 Citation-Organization Award at the annual convention of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association • Family Trail at Jefferson Barracks was completed and dedicated in November • Provided matching funds with the Parks Department for new entrance and exit gates at Lone Elk Park • Developing a strategic plan that will help provide direction in conjunction with the recently completed Master Plan for the Parks Department

New entrance to Lone Elk Park

7 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Spanish Lake Family Trail ribbon cutting with Foundation President Mark Ohlendorf

Expression Swing Spanish Lake Family Trail ribbon cutting

Splash pad at Castlepoint Park

Gym divider curtain at the North County Recreation Complex Fountain at Spanish Lake

STLCOUNTYPARKSFOUNDATION.ORG 8 St. Louis County Parks Foundation recognized as outstanding support organization

In 2019, the St. Louis County Parks Foundation received the Citation - Organization Award from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association. At the awards ceremony held in Branson, the foundation was recognized as an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to recreation and parks.

The St. Louis County Park Foundation was established on July 15, 2015. The kickoff event was held at one of the most visited county parks, Tilles Park. During the kickoff event, the foundation made their first contribution by donating a fountain for the lake in the park. Over the past three years the foundation has been able to raise funds to make additional purchases of two fountains at Faust Park and Spanish Lake Park and playground equipment at Tilles, Faust, Bee Tree and Suson Parks. In addition, a new gym divider curtain at the North County Recreation Complex and for the three shade structures at the new Aquatic Center at the Pavilion at Lemay in Jefferson Barracks Park and several additional projects were purchased though funds raised by the foundation.

In 2018, as their funding increased the St. Louis County Park Foundation has taken on larger projects which include the contribution of new spray pool at Castle Point Park and playground and exercise equipment at four locations along a “family trail” at Spanish Lake Park. The Family Trail concept was designed to encourage multi-generational use and features four separate children’s play stations with nature- themed attractions and exercise equipment for adults. Kids, parents and grandparents can all share these spaces along the trail that combine fun and exercise. Another Family Trail was installed at Jefferson Barracks Park in 2019. More Family Trails are planned at Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park and Queeny Park.

9 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Future Projects

In 2018, the St. Louis County Parks Department completed a department wide Master Plan. In an effort to move that plan forward, the St. Louis County Parks Foundation is in the process of developing an Action Plan to begin fundraising efforts that will advance some of the most needed projects. The Action Plan will be used to guide the foundation in their efforts. In conjunction with the County Parks Department, the Foundation will select needed projects throughout the community.

To begin, one project in each park region has been selected.

Nims Mansion at Bee Tree Park In South County, the restoration of the Nims Mansion was chosen. Serious restoration is needed on this beautiful and historic mansion in Bee Tree Park. This will be a two phase project. The first phase is to stop the deterioration before it is too late to restore the building. The second phase will be to restore the interior and develop it into a usable area for weddings, meetings and various functions.

In West County, the selected project will be the rebuilding of the playground in Queeny Park. This playground was built in 1972 and was once a jewel of the County Park System. Although still a popular attraction for children, the playground has not been updated since 2006. We have received a $500,000 matching grant to start the process in Playground at Queeny Park motion.

In North County the park department requested that we try to raise the money to completely rebuild Kinloch Park. Over time, this North County Park has fallen into disrepair. Kinloch Park serves a neighborhood population and with a little work, we feel that we can update the park facilities and make it a place where people can gather, play sports, walk or just enjoy the outdoors.

To donate to the foundation or to view more information about these projects visit www.stlcountyparksfoundation.org. Kinloch Park

STLCOUNTYPARKSFOUNDATION.ORG 10 St. Louis County Parks Foundation PO Box 311658, Des Peres, Missouri 63131 (314) 503-5792 | [email protected]