River des Peres Greenway Walk

Walking in an urban landscape near River des Peres that included wildlife viewing was my exploration along a paved path in St. Louis.

The River des Peres Greenway is currently 7.5 miles from the confluence of the Mississippi River and the River Des Pere near the River City Casino where it connects to the Mississippi Greenway going south.

History of River Des Peres

Throughout the 19th century, the River des Peres remained a curving stream weaving through prairies. By the end of the 1800s, neighbors were dumping their raw waste directly into the river. In 1923, voters in St. Louis approved a bond to reroute, straighten, and deepen. And line the river with concrete. That’s how the river has remained for nearly a century.

Map and information on the trail. I am starting from Point F or Lemay Park at 236 Fannie Avenue, St. Louis, Mo., on the hike. The map shows the River Des Peres Greenway as complete, which is not at this time. You will need to use a sidewalk on the River City Casino Boulevard to reach the Mississippi River Greenway. — *Map and information on the trail. I am starting from Point F or Lemay Park at 236 Fannie Avenue, St. Louis, Mo., on the hike.* The map shows the River Des Peres Greenway as complete, which is not at this time. You will need to use a sidewalk on the River City Casino Boulevard to reach the Mississippi River Greenway.

Hike Overview

I am walking 8.6 miles on the trail with an out and back from Lemay Park to River City Casino and then a friend is picking me up at Francis R. Slay Park so for the rest of it I am only doing one way. If you did an out-and-back for the whole trail it would be about 15 miles.

**Lemay Park Trailhead sign. Went to the right at the start. The arrow points in the direction I went. I will come back to the spot at the end of this out and back.**

Short Hike Toward the Mississippi River

I started my walk from the Lemay Park trailhead since I wanted to do the full trail plus a sidewalk that connects it to the Mississippi River Greenway. I went to the south part of the parking lot and then made a right onto the River Des Peres Greenway to hike to the Mississippi River and back. This is a 2-mile walk using the greenway combined with a sidewalk.

After a short way, I crossed Fannie Avenue which dead ends.

The trail then crosses over a small stream then heads back again to Fannie Avenue.

Next, I came to an isolated section of the park that has a few picnic tables. On the morning I walked through I came across two ground hogs, so watch for wildlife.

Next, the trail goes under River City Casino Boulevard at .3 miles.

River Des Peres in the wildNex — *River Des Peres in the wild*

Then the greenway goes along a wilder section of the River Des Peres. When you go back to the other direction the river is a cement canal.

*Across Broadway and about to go to the right across River City Casino Boulevard.*

*Greenway currently ends. Have to use the sidewalk currently.*

Next, at .5 miles the greenway comes to the intersection of South Broadway and River City Casino Boulevard. Here you will need to cross Broadway then go right across River City Casino Boulevard and then go left along a sidewalk to head to the the Mississippi Greenway.

Sidewalk Section

As I walk on the sidewalk along River City Casino Boulevard the road bridges over a railroad yard.

**If you had across this road be careful since there is no designated way to do this and traffic will not stop for you.**

Next, I came to a sign for the River City Casino.

Looking right along the Mississippi River Greenway. — *Looking right along the Mississippi River Greenway*

If you go to the left across the road you will come to the Mississippi River Greenway which is where you can go to the right for a much longer hike.

If you are 21 and older and have your driver’s license on you and you stop at the casino. I added a short jaunt and went through the casino and to a small bakery at the far end for a snack and a coffee before heading back on the sidewalk.

*Back at the intersection of Broadway and River City Casino Boulevard.*

*Back on the River Des Peres Greenway after crossing South Broadway.*

I took the sidewalk around the parking lot back to the South Broadway intersection once again. Then finally to the River Des Peres Greenway to Lemay Park.

River Des Peres Greenway at Lemay Park Again

Then at the parking lot again I went left through the park passing by a playground with red swings and a climbing structure.

Along the paved path, I saw workout stations including monkey bars.

Going Towards Grant’s Trail

Then I came to the intersection at Lemay Ferry Road, where you cross this road and then go right across River City Casino Boulevard.

*View of the River des Pers from the bridge.*

Next, you walk over the bridge above River des Peres.

Now the trail follows Germania Street along this river.

The trail intersects with a railroad that crosses the river. Watch for trains here. I saw a yellow locomotive down the tracks.

Start of Grant's Trail — *Start of Grant’s Trail*

Then I saw a pedestrian bridge for the Gravois section of Grant’s Trail, mile marker zero, which is a ten-mile trail that ends in Kirkwood, Mo.

A creek flows into River des Peres, it looks sort of like a thin waterfall with rock and cement.

*Sign along the greenway at the Carondelet Connector intersection*

After the Interstate

After walking under Interstate 55 I came to the Carondelet Connector. This one-mile paved trail connects the River des Peres Greenway to Loughborough Commons shopping center and Carondelet Park. I have previously walked this connector and through Carondelet Park.

Then I waited for a stop light change to cross Morgan Ford Road.

Next, I came to Christy Greenway. This one-mile paved trail provides a connection to Christy Park and Old Saint Marcus Cemetery which I share in a previous Blog Story.

*Pedestrian bridge crossing the River des Peres*

Turning the other way, I cross a pedestrian bridge over the River des Peres and then come to Rivers des Peres Boulevard.

*Using a crosswalk across Rivers des Peres Boulevard.*

Here I use a crosswalk to the other side. Now I will be following this road for a long way.

River des Peres Boulevard Section

A pedestrian bridge crosses a brook that is hemmed in with white brick.

Across the bridge is a small park with Fulz Baseball fields, a playground, restrooms, and a parking lot you can also use for the River des Peres Greenway.

I come to Gravois Avenue, which is a busy road so make sure to wait for the light.

After the intersection, I walk along the large New St. Marcus Cemetery. Filled with huge old trees seen among the graves.

Then the trail curves away from the boulevard between some tall evergreens.

I come across some Canadian geese foraging in the grass.

Next, I notice an abandoned rock building with red, blue, and gray tiles on the roof.

Across the River des Peres is Willmore Park with its lake and playgrounds. If I had crossed the river at Gravois Avenue and then went left on Hampton Avenue I would come to the park.

Bike Education Loop

I come to the Bike Education Loop in River des Peres Park.

A sign talks about the importance of Bicycle Safety, this trail is heavily used by bicyclists more than walkers.

A small creek is nearby along with a forest-themed play area.

Crossing Streets Area

At Chippewa Street the hardest part of the walk. You go uphill along the River des Peres Boulevard while Chippewa is below you. The route is done in curves.

*A hawk attacking something on the ground.*

At the intersection with Landsdowne Avenue, I see a red tale hawk to my right on the ground walking around. I thought at first, he was injured because he was so close, but it looked like he had found possibly a mouse. It is the closest I’ve been to a hawk, and strangely in the heart of the city.

If you cross Landsdowne using a connector you can take the Metrolink to other parts of the metro from the Shrewesbury-Lansdowne I-44 stop.

Instead, I cross Lansdowne Avenue and River des Boulevard to take the Lansdowne Avenue bridge across River des Peres.

Then I make a left onto Wabash Avenue.

Along Wabash Avenue

I am away from the River des Peres along a wide cement sidewalk in a residential neighborhood until north of Tholozan Avenue. Across the street is a garage painted with a waterfall with flowers around it.

Then the greenway trail goes under train tracks and Interstate 44.

I look in the water and ducks are swimming about shaded from the sun by the bridges.

*Under the Interstate 44 columns are painted with images of people enjoying the trails.*

Painted with images of the people enjoying the trail are on the columns of the bridge.

Towards Francis R. Slay Park

After the bridges, I am back in a residential area with the River des Peres across Ellendale Avenue. It is smaller now.

Finally, I cross Ellendale Avenue at Canterbury Avenue and enter Francis R. Slay Park. If you want, you can do a short loop walk in the park.

The park has a tennis court, baseball fields, a restroom, and a parking lot.

Final Thoughts

This is a long hike even if only doing half of it. The full length from the river to Francis R. Slay Park is 15 miles. I have done this walk in sections, such as going from Fultz Field or Lemay Park and walking back. It is not the most scenic walk but gives you a full view of St. Louis and the different parks, homes, businesses, industries, and people that make up this place we all call home.

NOTE: The creek is used for stormwater sewage, like many inner city waterways, so no swimming.

MORE HISTORY OF THE RIVER DES PERES

In the 1600s, the Kaskaskia and Tamaroa people settled along the River des Peres. Just a few years later, two Jesuit priests built a mission at the mouth of the River des Peres. 2,400 Native Americans and 100 French Americans lived there. The mission existed for only three years, but the name remains today. The River des Peres is French for the “river of the fathers” who were the two French priests.

DETAILS

Drive: If you are coming from South County take the exit for River City Boulevard and go right on this road to Alabama Avenue and make a right and then a left onto Military Road and the park is on the right.

If you are coming from St. Louis take the exit for Germania Avenue and make a left onto this road then make a right onto Alabama Avenue and then a left onto Military Road and the park is on the right.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Address: 236 Fannie Ave, St. Louis, MO 63125