FRANCIS PARK IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, WHICH HAS LIMITED FUNDS TO MAINTAIN THE PARK. A GROUP OF CITY RESIDENTS GOT TOGETHER AND FORMED FRIENDS OF FRANCIS PARK (FOFP), A 501(C)(3) CORPORATION, TO PRESERVE, IMPROVE, SUPPORT AND PROMOTE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND TO HELP FUND AND IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN FRANCIS PARK. FOFP WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OUR ALDERPERSON AND THE CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT. FOFP IS FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE NET PROCEEDS FROM THE ANNUAL RUN FOR THE HILLS AND FOOT GOLF EVENTS. IT HAS NO PAID EMPLOYEES. THE CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OUR 2ND WARD ALDERPERSON HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN ALL OF OUR DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS OR FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK AND MUST APPROVE ANY IMPROVEMENTS OR ACTIVITIES PROPOSED BY FOFP BEFORE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED OR SCHEDULED.