Queeny Park Equestrian Events - About Queeny Park

About Queeny Park

For over thirty years, St. Louis County Parks and Recreation has been in partnership with the volunteer 501c3 organization, Queeny Park Equestrian Events (QPEE). This partnership has provided and continues to provide fun and exciting events to our county residents and guests who have a special interest in equestrian events. But QPEE�'s enthusiasm for Queeny Park is not limited to equestrian events: QPEE volunteers have donated over 90,000 hours of labor� developing new trails, mowing grass, repairing fencing, constructing new jumps and repairing existing jumps� plus have donated more than $250,000 in funds to develop and maintain over 7.5 miles of multi-use trails and a nationally recognized cross-country equestrian course, all within Queeny Park. Have a terrific time during your visit to Queeny Park. And remember�, St. Louis County Parks: Where fun comes naturally!

Queeny Park National Grant

Thanks to then QPEE president Marvin Harwood's efforts, along with those of his long-time co-worker and event former organizer and board member Richard Wessel, Queeny Park has drawn national attention. In 1998, the Recreational Trails Program awarded QPEE a $31,000 matching grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. QPEE used the money to build new cross-country fences and renovate trails.

The following year, the Coalition for Recreational Trails and the Federal Highway Administration recognized QPEE for its "innovative corridor sharing techniques", and named QPEE as one of only eleven national recipients of the Recreational Trails Program.

Queeny Park Equestrian Organization Wins Statewide Award

Missouri Parks and Recreation Association (MPRA) honored QPEE with a Citation Award at MPRA's annual conference, held in Branson, Missouri. Genie Zakrzewski, Director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, presented the award to Marvin Harwood, then QPEE president. Zakrzewski nominated QPEE for the award because of the organization's noteworthy contributions to improving Queeny Park in west St. Louis County.

Zakrzewski acknowledges this partnership with QPEE, "The character of this organization is demonstrated by the dedication of its volunteers. They not only clear trails, mow grass and repair fences, they also find funding to continue trail and jump development. QPEE's leadership and community service should be a model for all not-for-profit organizations."

Horse Jump Dedication at Queeny Park

To express their gratitude to St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, QPEE dedicated the jump, called the "QP Tower" to the Queeny Park's staff and management. The signature horse jump of the Queeny Parks Equestrian Events, Inc. was dedicated on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 in Queeny Park, by Richard Wessel, then vice-president of QPEE and Marvin Harwood, then president of QPEE to Genie Zakrzewski, Director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation. QPEE founder, Richard Wessel gave a speech recognizing the efforts of the park employees in aiding the continuation of the Queeny Park Horse Trials.

Zakrzewski acknowledges this partnership, "We're quite enthused about this valuable arrangement with QPEE. For over 20 years, our partnership with QPEE has provided and continues to provide fun and exciting events to our County residents and guests who have a special interest in equestrian events."

For more information about St. Louis County Parks, see their web site at St. Louis County Parks