Hike along paved paths through forests and hills, passing playgrounds at James S. McDonnell Memorial County Park in St. Ann, Mo. Overview This is a 1.3-mile loop hike on an asphalt trail with a 102-foot elevation gain. It took me about 25 minutes to complete. McDonnell Park was initially called Adie Road Park. In 1980, its name was officially changed to James S. McDonnell Memorial…
A walk in Moody Park (Longacre Park) takes you past a woodsy-themed playground and along the shoreline of a lake. My son and I walked a 1.5-mile paved loop with a gentle incline, gaining 19 feet in elevation in this 90-acre park. We started our visit by spending some time at the playground. In the late August each year, the park hosts the Midwest Salute…
A day at Twin Oaks Park involves a leisurely walk through the woods, passing by picturesque waterfalls and ponds and admiring the vibrant red and white koi swimming gracefully. Going to the Park This park is located in the small town of Twin Oaks, Missouri, not far from Missouri Highway 141. You enter the park off Crescent Avenue, going north on Twin Oaks Court. Parking…
Wildwood Community Park features a campground-themed playground and a paved trail through wooded hills. Our Time at Wildwood Community Park I came here with my son because the park has a fun playground, and he likes to ride his dirt bike while I walk. Playground Fun The playground allows kids to explore wood climbing structures and scale along rope ladders along with tube slides. My…
You can have fun with the kids at a large playground or take a short walk at City Hall Park in Dardenne, Prairie, Mo. Playground Before starting the walk, my son enjoyed the playground. The larger one is for 6-12-year-olds and includes a tower with several slides coming out of it and a climbing wall along it. By the tower is a rope ladder with…
Walk alongside a lake and pond on a paved trail, stopping at the playground to fly across a zipline at Boulevard Park in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. This is a .7-mile walk with 23 feet of elevation gain in a park that includes a playground that my son enjoyed. Playground I was here with my son, who first put his hands around the plastic-covered rope…
Apple picking, carnival rides, a petting zoo, and even pig races are a few activities that you can do at Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm east of Belleville, Ill. Arriving at the Farm We parked in the gravel lot near the entrance road. I do this since it makes it easier to find the car when we leave. Next, we headed to the Ticket Booth. I…
Hawk Ridge Park in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, offers a scenic lake walking trail and fun playtime at castle-themed Zachary’s Playground. Overview of Zachary’s Playground Zachary’s Playground is named after a neighborhood kid who wanted a place where he could play, even though he is confined to a wheelchair. This playground was one of the first of its kind and was built in 2007. It…
Elephant rocks
Take in the views of far-off hills and be near the shorelines of lakes and ponds in St. Ellen Park in O’Fallon, Illinois. The 85-acre park was originally part of a coal strip mining operation from 1854 until the mine closed in 1960. With the changeover to a park, the topography includes a hill, numerous ponds, and a lake. This hike is on a 2.4-mile…
