Clubs & Organizations

Garden Club of Park Forest
Since 1954 the Garden Club of Park Forest has been a contributing factor to the Village of Park Forest, promoting gardening, conservation and other philanthropies. We donate to the Park Forest Library, the Thorn Creek Nature Preserve and maintain the Blue Star Marker on the corner of Lakewood and Orchard and participate in various activities sponsored by the Village.

The Blue Star Marker has been refurbished and landscaped with special thanks to Betty Doty, the Garden Club Board and the Village of Park Forest. The Blue Star Marker is located on the corner of Lakewood and Orchard Drive across from the Library. Honoring Those Who have Served Our Country The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way. What we see today is a program that has expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used at locations such as National cemeteries, parks, veteran’s facilities and gardens. The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, and in churches and businesses. This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute to our Armed Forces and especially now. Link: National Garden Clubs Official Website

League of Women Voters of The Park Forest Area
The Park Forest Area of the League of Women Voters (LWV) welcomes all persons (female and male alike) who are interested in promoting responsible government at any level. Good government does not happen without active citizen participation. The LWV studies issues, gets to know public officials, observes public meetings, lobbies on issues, registers voters and provides many educational services including candidates’ forums. The LWV does NOT support parties or candidates, but deals only with issues. We continue to support and lobby for increased school funding.

Anyone interested in the LWV should write to Diane Hodges at P.O. Box 782, Park Forest, IL 60466. Visit our website at www.lwvpfa.org.

Park Forest Photography Club
Have a longing to take better pictures? Have a new camera and don’t know how to use the camera? Why not join the Park Forest Photography Club? We’ve been meeting in Park Forest since 1981 and presently meet at Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock, Park Forest, Illinois. We meet at 7:30 p.m. the 3rd Wednesday of each month except July and August.

We have a short educational program each night and competition to help improve our skills. Each month a different photo challenge is the competition theme for novice level through advanced level. We compete in B & W, color and Alternative Process (artsy) for each skill level.

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills. The Park Forest Toastmasters Club, chartered in 1955, has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Meetings are every 1st and 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. in the Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive, Park Forest, Illinois.