June 5, 2026

Last fall, more than 300 park enthusiasts descended upon Gateway Arch National Park for the National Park Friends Alliance annual fall conference.

Gateway Arch Park Foundation had the privilege of being the host organization. From September 15 to 17, the Friends Alliance and the Foundation partnered with the National Park Service and various St. Louis institutions to show off our favorite city and its parks and how the power of public-private partnership and collaboration makes big things happen for our region.

Founded in 1998, the National Park Friends Alliance is a coalition of nonprofit partners who work tirelessly toward a shared mission—to support and enhance national parks. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has proudly been part of the Friends Alliance since 2019. Since then, we have attended various Friends Alliance gatherings, our Executive Director Ryan McClure has taken on the role as Friends Alliance Board Chair, and our staff members have recently founded Friends Alliance affinity groups to foster focused learning and partnership through the Marketing and Communications Affinity Group, Volunteer Affinity Group, and Young Professionals Network.

The conference came to life after eight months of planning with Friends Alliance leaders and Meagan Patterson of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. This group intricately arranged every detail of the conference with great intention, from the flow of the sessions to the meals, from the field trips to the learning circles. And, that intention shined on center stage as the conference kicked off in September 2025.

The first day of the Friends Alliance began with field trips around St. Louis so attendees could not only learn about park conservation, education, visioning, partnership, and storytelling, but also get better acquainted with our city. The Foundation’s partners from the National Park Service, Jefferson National Parks Association, Great Rivers Greenway, and other partners and institutions joined us in leading the tours, providing attendees a chance to dive into different parts of St. Louis’ history and existence today. This was an example of St. Louis collaboration at its best—helping new visitors see the best of our city, how we honor the richness of our history, and how we come together to make St. Louis a place you want to visit time and time again.

Days two and three kicked off the heart of the conference, with moderated panels, fireside chats, learning circles, and networking opportunities. It would be difficult to find an attendee who left the conference without a new project in mind for their organization, without a proposed solution to a recent roadblock, or without having made a friend at a group across the country.

Feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive. The conference attendees were surprised and delighted by Downtown St. Louis, the organizations here, and Gateway Arch National Park, so much so that many genuinely promised to return one day.

And, a rewarding experience for our visitors meant a rewarding experience for Foundation staff members, who each played a role in the conference. The staff had the opportunity to attend sessions, work the check-in desk to answer questions, lead tours, and participate on panels. Each staff member gained a renewed sense of purpose, partnership, and appreciation for the work of those at Gateway Arch National Park and parks nationwide. To work at a conservancy is to care deeply about these public spaces, to feel committed to a mission of stewardship, and to devote yourself to partnership because our parks belong to everyone. It was an invaluable experience to be surrounded by more than 300 other people who live and breathe the same purpose: to uplift our national parks.

“Hosting this conference was a deeply rewarding experience for the Foundation, our partners, and the City of St. Louis,” said Meagan Patterson, Senior Manager, Operations & Volunteer Engagement, who was vital to planning the conference. “The partnership and collaboration among the Foundation, Friends Alliance, park community, and local organizations were truly inspiring. It is amazing to work alongside so many individuals who demonstrate such passion and care for their communities and public spaces. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this unforgettable experience and for the knowledge gained and relationships built along the way.”

Thank you to our partners at the National Park Friends Alliance and to the conference attendees. We look forward to continuing to keep our national parks vital and welcoming , and we are excited to see our Friends Alliance members once again in Rocky Mountain National Park this fall!