The green spaces throughout the city and county are lush, welcome oases from unforgiving concrete. Parks simultaneously serve as sources of respite and entertainment: Nary a week goes by in the summer that doesn't see Forest Park hosting a concert or three, and Laumeier Sculpture Park is the perfect place for an afternoon of wondrous, whimsical art.
But many lesser-known parks dot the area. The county alone boasts some 12,000 acres of parkland, and many of its trails lay underused. But this year, the St. Louis County Parks Department hopes to get more shoes on the ground through its 30-30 Hikes program. The 30 trails that comprise the program offer hikes that are a doable, beautiful 30 minutes.
If all hikes are completed, 30-30 participants will have trekked some 55 picturesque miles. Find a link to a printable map of participating parks and trails that are taking part in the program at www.co.st-louis.mo.us/parks. As a bit of inspiration, here are a few oft-overlooked places to explore in the city and county.
As Allenton Road winds up a hill, the looming, rickety wooden tracks
of Six Flags' Screamin' Eagle roller coaster give way to the tall,
sturdy trees of Greensfelder Park (4515 Hencken Road, Pacific).
Visitors can choose from among eight different trails that range from
one to ten miles, and from easy to difficult in challenge level. For an aerial test of nerves, there's an alpine tower that's ideal
for team-building exercises (call 314-638-2100 for reservations).
Perfect for: Horseback riding. Greensfelder's trails are all
equine friendly, plus lessons and boarding services are available (call
636-245-8135).
Take it easy on the gas pedal on your way into Lone Elk Park
(1 Lone Elk Park Road, Valley Park), and drop a few bucks into a
discreet donation box: Though it's free to enter, this park is worth
paying for. Bison roam here, among these 500-plus acres of land, as do
elk, ducks, Canada geese, white-tailed deer and more. You can watch the
animals from the park's observation tower that's near the entrance, or
view them from your vehicle as you slowly putter your way through the
hilly, well-kempt grounds.
Perfect for: Science sleuths. In Lone Elk's visitors' center,
there are "mystery boxes" that contain various natural elements you
might encounter in the park. Blindly feel what's inside, and use touch
to make your best guess of the boxes' contents.
Guests can almost still smell the fresh cuts of lumber that were
used to construct Riverside Shelter and the other brand-new amenities
at Cliff Cave Park (806 Cliff Cave Road). The park, located in
Oakville, is a mixed bag of Missouri topography with its sinkholes,
wetlands and forest. The most striking features, though, are the park's
namesake opposites, its high cliff sides and deep, rambling caves
(reservations are required for cave exploration; call
314-963-9211).
Perfect for: Large group outings (reserve Riverside Shelter
by calling 314-615-4386), or an afternoon alone, book in hand, watching
the barges trudge upriver.
Green, white and red reminders of the Hill's heritage are everywhere
in and around Berra Park (Wilson and Sublette avenues) —
on banners that are hoisted like proud sails; the tricolor's also
wrapped around drinking fountains and light poles. Berra is on the
outer edge of the Hill, but still smack in the middle of a
neighborhood, so be a courteous parker (the kind eyes on the bust of
Louis G. Berra are watching). Grab lunch at Gioia's Deli (1934 Macklind
Avenue; 314-776-9410) adjacent to the park, walk across the street, and
grab a seat at Berra's picnic tables or atop the peeling green
bleachers. You might even catch a pickup baseball game in the ball
field.
Perfect for: A charming step back in time. It's a good
reminder for kids who've forgotten the simple joys that are found in
old-school playgrounds, like squeaky swings, concrete tunnels and
wobbly chain ladders.
At less than three acres, Fox Park is one of the city's
smaller spaces, and appropriately enough, it's got an eye turned toward
the little ones: There are squat basketball hoops, swings and mini
playground equipment. Adjacent to it is the softball field at PAL
(Police Association League) Memorial Park (2705 Shenandoah Avenue).
The facility comes equipped with lights and a real-deal scoreboard.
Official Cardinals logos are found here and there (the team contributed
funds for the park's completion), which provides an extra helping of
authenticity.
Perfect for: Little kids who've got big-league
aspirations.
