Minnie Ha Ha Park: Playing and Hiking

Take a walk that goes by multiple playgrounds and along the Meramec River at Minnie Ha Ha Park in Sunset Hills, Mo.

This is a 3.4-mile paved trail hike with two loops that are mostly level and goes through forests. I brought my son who went along with me on his dirt bike stopping to play at each playground.

Along the Meramec River

I parked by the first playground on the left off of Gravois Road. Then we headed to the right on the blacktop path along the Meramec River.

We came to a scenic overlook with a plaque on the history of the park.

Along the river, Andrew saw ten turtles on a log out in the river.

Near the Missouri Highway 30 bridge high above us was a playground that we stopped briefly. It had swings where you could practice going from one metal ring to the next, but it was too high for him to do for very long.

We headed further in going through woods.

I came across a plaque talking about the Stieren Family. They had owned a tugboat, but it had cut loose and was never seen again. The children have fond memories of the river and donated land for nature trails along the river.

Next, we turned to the left and came across some deer. They ran after seeing us and I was only able to snap a photo of them heading off.

The trail becomes a lane for local traffic so be aware of vehicles in this section.

Then it dead ends at Tapawingo Golf Course.

*Going to the left to a different part of the park on the way back to the parking lot.*

Heading Away from the Meramec

On the way back we went to a left down the paved trail that led to a large playground and away from the river.

This led to my son’s favorite activity a zipline that he kept doing over and over.

Then he enjoyed the climbing structure shaped like a ship including a slide, a lookout, and a ship helm that he steered.

Church Bell

Close by was a large church bell that you could still ring. It had been cast in Massachusetts. Located originally at the First Baptist Church in Natick, Mass., in 1874. Bought by Brossmer’s Bells Inc., then donated to the park department by Rich Stieren in 2018.

Sculpture

By the bell is the Resolute sculpture done by Abraham Mohler and is of a little girl high above on a rock that is attached by a rope to another rock below.

This trail looped back to the main trail along the river.

Another Loop

After passing back under the Highway 30 bridge we came to another trail that went to the left. We headed down this one. It went by more playgrounds.

One had a metal zipline that my son put his hands up to fly along.

Then another had a metal climbing wall that he went to the top of. Then he found a plastic climbing wall that he made it over.

Next, we went by a BMX track and then around soccer fields before ending up near where we had pulled into the park.

Lastly, he played at the first playground where he played on a green plastic climbing wall.

*Map of the park and trails I found at the park.*

Final Thoughts

This park has plenty of activities for families. My son enjoyed going from one playground to the other. If you only want a paved hike along the river and not go by the playgrounds then I would only follow the main trail to the golf course and back.

Park Amenities

These include playgrounds, zipline, climbing structures, sandboxes with diggers, restrooms, picnic pavilions, swings, soccer fields, a disc golf course, a driving range, a BMX course, and a sand volleyball court.

Park history

At one time Minnie Ha Ha Park included a beach that was used for a ferry across the Meramec River to Fenton, Mo. until a bridge was built.

In the early 20th century clubhouses were here with a zoo, dance hall, refreshment stand, boat dock, and swim beach.

Then in 2005, Sunset Hills opened the park for numerous activities.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 270 to exit 3 for Missouri Highway 30 and go west. Then make a left turn onto Rahning Road then a right onto Gravois Road and then another left onto Old Gravois Road and look for parking in the first lot on the left. If this lot is full there is more parking down the road with connectors to the main trail.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

Address: 801 Old Gravois Rd, Sappington, MO 63127