Community Stewardship Alliance at Carondelet Park

Who We Are Through a collaborative partnership led by Open Space STL, the Community Stewardship Alliance (CSA) is a conservation program designed to provide focused, trained volunteer leadership to restore and maintain the natural landscape within Carondelet Park.

Carondelet Park’s Site Ambassador, Michael Forbis, leads the Friends of Carondelet Park Nature Committee, which is responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out much of the volunteer work within the park. Join our energetic committee as we work to restore the park to its natural beauty!

Located in south St. Louis, Carondelet Park is the city’s third-largest park, spanning over 180 acres. Dedicated in 1876, the park is unique for its karst topography, rolling hills, lakes, and picturesque landscapes. Visitors can relax at the bird sanctuary, ride the mountain bike path, stroll the meandering walking trail, and enjoy the historic bridges and pavilions. Needless to say, this park offers no shortage of stewardship opportunities, including invasive plant removal, native plantings, trash cleanup, and more. Our CSA partners include Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Great Rivers Greenway District, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Master Naturalists Great Rivers Chapter, Missouri Stream Team, Open Space STL, St. Louis Audubon Society, St. Louis County Parks, St. Louis County Parks Foundation, and St. Louis City Forestry Division

For the Environment

CSA projects at Carondelet Park include:

• Invasive and Aggressive Species Management:
  Honeysuckle, euonymus, poison ivy, and other invasive or problematic species have become familiar challenges for the Friends of Carondelet Park (FoCP) Nature Committee. Through the Adopt-a-Quadrant program, Michael has created an opportunity for committee members to take ownership of their own section of the park — to learn about its ecosystem and how to identify and remove species that threaten its biodiversity. We host several invasive removal events throughout the year.
  
  

• Litter Pickups:
  We host seasonal litter cleanups each year. Bags, grabbers, and gloves are always provided.
  
  

• Native Plantings and Maintenance:
  We are currently relandscaping the Bird Habitat to make it a more manageable and intentional environment for humans, birds, and insects. There will be plenty of planting and maintenance opportunities in the years ahead. Additionally, we continue to work with our partners at the Missouri Department of Conservation and St. Louis City Forestry Division to replant native species and support our ongoing Woodland Restoration Project.

For the Community

CSA projects at Carondelet Park benefit:

• Community Members and Volunteers
  By helping to build lasting relationships, empowering local friends and neighbors, and bringing together people who value this community treasure — ensuring it is sustained and thrives for generations to come.
  
  

• Park and Trail Users
  By improving the landscape and enhancing the natural beauty of the park for everyone who enjoys these outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation.