Christy Greenway Walk

Walk through the grounds of a historic cemetery and ends at a Tudor-inspired fire station on the Christy Greenway in St. Louis.

This is a 5.4 mile out and back walk through an urban area and parks in St. Louis and starts near the River Des Peres.

Reached from a lot for the River Des Peres Greenway.

River Des Peres Greenway

I parked in a lot on the left about half a mile west of the intersection of Morgan Ford Road and River Des Peres Boulevard.

My walk began along the paved River Des Peres Greenway. I passed by a baseball field and a playground in the distance.

Then I crossed a small stream encased with stone on the sides.

Then I came to an intersection on the trail and made a left onto a connector of the River Des Peres Greenway that crosses the River Des Peres Boulevard. Push a button before the road to have traffic stop for you.

This trail went along the River Des Peres. I looked to my left and found some geese in the tall grass along the river.

Then I crossed a green metal pedestrian bridge across the river.

This river goes through an industrial area and if you look down you can see old tires and large pieces of cement in the water.

I came to an intersection with Germania Street. Painted in the bricks is a black and white fleur-de-lis, which is a symbol of St. Louis, which started out as a French settlement. Pushing the button again I crossed this road and was now on the Christy Greenway.

Start of the Christy Greenway

Beginning the Christy Greenway, I walked along a paved trail by a field and through trees.

On the left flowed a small creek through a stone rock channel.

On the other side of the creek, you can see graves in the Saints Peters and Paul Cemetery. A tall chain link fence separates you from the cemetery and the creek.

After crossing Loughborough Avenue, I came to the St. Marcus Commemorative Park. I decided to do the .8-mile hike out and back through St. Marcus.

St. Marcus

This park started as a German Evangelical cemetery in 1856 but was not maintained and closed and burials were prohibited after 1960.

Although many of the grave markers remain. Money from the cemetery’s sale to the city was used to move graves to the New St. Marcus Cemetery.

At first, you head up a winding paved path into the cemetery.

Here you will find different types of graves some still standing tall.

One had an urn-like top (main blog photo). Another was like a short cement coffin with a long decorated handle.

In the middle of the park is a flagpole with a lone American flag.

I came to Gravois Avenue and headed back.

This time I stopped at a dedication to U.S. Veterans whose headstones were placed into a wall.

Then I went by the graves once more heading downhill back to the Christy Greenway.

Back to the Greenway

I made a left and headed to the end of the Christy Greenway at the intersection of Holly Hills Boulevard and Christy Drive.

Watch traffic now since there is no longer a button to push. I wanted to take the walk further along Christy Boulevard which goes through several parks in St. Louis before ending at Kingshighway Boulevard.

Joseph R. Leisure Park

Now walking on a cement sidewalk, I walked through Joseph R. Leisure Park.

I went by a baseball field that had soccer goals in it, used for more than one sport.

Then a playground where kids can climb and go down slides.

I crossed Gravois Avenue at a stop light and continued on the sidewalk through the green space that leads to Christy Park.

Christy Park

Named after Willian Tandy Christy who founded a St. Louis fire brick company.

Christy Park has a large green field surrounded by green metal benches with one dedicated to McMahan Wood Bat Tournament, The Birdman 2010.

Used for the local kids in baseball tournaments, similar to the movie The Sandlot.

Sandlot refers to the makeshift field, which could be nothing more than an empty piece of land in the area composed of grass, dirt, or sand that is big enough to host the game, which this field seems to fit.

The park also has a playground with swings and climbing walls along with an outside workout area nearby.

St. Louis Fire Department Engine House No. 36

At the corner of Kingshighway Boulevard and Christy Boulevard is a firehouse in the Tudor style with a turret. It is the only one I’ve seen like it and snapped a photo of it.

Side Trip To Bevo Mill

If you want, you can add a mile walk up along Gravois Avenue to Das Bevo or what was once known as Bevo Mill.

Located halfway between the former Busch estate now Grant’s Farm and Busch Brewery. Built by August A. Busch Sr. and he once had a private-quarters there.

Done in the German beer hall style with stained glass, woodwork, a stone fireplace, and grand archways. Outside is a large spinning wooden windmill. It is an amazing landmark in the Bevo neighborhood of St. Louis.

I also went into a small park with a wooden cabinet-like structure with a circular green top. This is a moment dedicated to the Bosnian refugees of the Bosnia War who settled in St. Louis.

On the walk back I passed by a brick building with a painting of a cat with a red locket wearing a blue robe.

NOTE: I did not add this into the total walk and would make your day a 6.4-mile hike, which is a long one in the city of St. Louis.

*One of the many bungalows along the walk*

Heading Back

This time I paid attention to the houses that were sometimes nearby Christy Greenway. One had a rounded entrance, a green tile roof, and a brick fireplace with white stone along the side of it. I love the intricate details of these bungalows built to the homeowner’s specifications.

Next, I walked back to the River Des Peres Greenway to the car.

Final Thoughts

I did a lot of urban walking today through different neighborhoods and through each park having its own sights to see. This is an interesting walk if you are into urban safes.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 55 to the exit for Carondelet Boulevard if you are coming from the south or Germania Street if you are coming from the north. Go east and if on River Des Peres Boulevard look for the parking lot on the left after crossing Morgan Ford Road. If you are on Germania Street make a left onto Morgan Ford Road then a right onto River Des Peres Boulevard and look for parking on the left.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily

Address: 4815 River Des Peres Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63123