Oak Knoll Park Stroll

Oak Knoll Park is a picturesque destination, featuring a serene pond surrounded by bald cypress trees and vibrant tulips that bloom in the spring.

A .7 paved walkway can be found here along with a short trail done in wood chips on the east side of the park in the woods that includes sculptures.

Paved Loop Walk

I parked in the main lot of Big Bend Boulevard. I walked to the entrance of the park to begin my stroll. Planted here were pink and yellow tulips.

Next, I walked around the parking lot to the Uchitelle Garden. Purple and yellow tulips greeted me here with different kinds of plants in the back.

*Former mansion on the grounds of the park.*

I passed by a former stone mansion built by St. Louisan Alvin Goldman now home to the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation.

On the right side of the mansion is the Sunken Garden.

Here I found a walled-in garden surrounded by trees and planted around stone rock walkways were tulips along smaller purple flowers closer to the ground.

At the far end of the garden is a wooden archway.

Woods Walk

I noticed a woodchip trail where I came across a small forest with shrubs.

The first metal sculpture here was labeled the Mermaid.

The next sculpture showed the seven days that God created the Earth.

Coming out of the woods I came to a sign that explained the different native plants and trees found here.

Back on the Paved Path

Going south along the path I noticed that it came out to a sidewalk along Clayton Road. I went to the right and checked out a stone gatehouse for a subdivision. If I had more time, I would wander the neighborhoods here which are made of different many styles of homes from the Twentieth Century.

By the Pond

Back in the park on the path I headed off the main trail to a paved side trail that goes around the pond that includes a fountain in the middle.

Surrounding the pond are large bald cypress trees.

*Turtles sunning themselves on a warm spring day.*

I walked across a wood and stone bridge and around the pond seeing a group of turtles.

The bumped-out roots of a bald cypress tree serve as a small island for five turtles.

Up Towards the Mansion

Then I walked along the main path once more passing behind another stone mansion built by Charles Rice and now home to Clayton Early Childhood Center.

I pass by a playground done in a woodland theme with a large acorn that you can crawl through.

The last stop was a blue seating area sculpted as two deer staring at each other.

Final Thoughts

If I stayed on the main path, I could probably do a couple of rounds around the park enjoying the large trees and flowers planted here. If I had brought my son, he would have enjoyed the playground for a while and seeing the turtles. Overall an easy walk and a good place to see blooming tulips in the spring.

Overview

The City of Clayton established the 14.5-acre park in 1958. The park is home to a native stand of 150-year-old Post Oak trees for which it was named. It has picnic sites, a restroom, and a playground.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 64 to Exit 33 for Big Bend Boulevard. Go north and a little way past Clayton Boulevard for the entrance to the park on the left.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Address: Oak Knoll Park, S. Big Bend Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105