Schaefer Park and Centennial Greenway Walk

Take a stroll along paved trails through the parkland, where the highways intersect at Schaefer Park and Centennial Greenway in St. Charles.

Schaefer Park features a half-mile loop trail at the intersection of Missouri Highway 94 and Missouri Highway 364 in St. Charles, Missouri.

I also took a separate walk that included a 1.3-mile out-and-back on a section of the Centennial Greenway from the Commuter Parking Lot along North Outer Road.

NOTE: You can also walk along a connector path from Schaefer Park to a wide sidewalk alongside North Outer Road. This path stretches 0.6 miles to where the Centennial Greenway crosses high above the highways. For this section, it is 1.2 miles for a round trip. Additionally, it’s possible to walk 0.9 miles or 1.8 miles total to the Commuter Parking Lot.

Bird's eye view of the park — *Bird’s eye view of the park*

By the Parking Lot At Shaefer Park

Schaefer Park is located in a residential neighborhood with a paved path encircles the park.

I parked in the lot in the center of the park. Nearby are restrooms and a playground featuring climbing structures, slides, a boardwalk, and swings.

*Walking to the loop trail from the connector.*

Next, I walked a short distance down the park road until I came to the start of the paved connector to the walking trail. The paved trail does not connect directly to the lot.

The Walk

At the walkway, I turned left and followed the trail. It leads through fields and alongside some small trees.

*The trail goes to the left of some trees.*

Then, it curves around a cluster of trees before reaching the back of the park.

Finally, it crossed the park road, and I was back where I had started.

Final Thoughts

This half-mile walk is mostly level, with only 26 feet of elevation gain. It is stroller-friendly and ideal for those who want a short walk in nature while visiting St. Charles.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 64 to Interstate 270 north, then take Exit 16 for Missouri Highway 364 and go west. Then take exit 12, getting onto N. St. Peters Parkway. Then make a right onto N. Outer Road, a left onto Hackmann Road, and a left onto Santa Ynez Drive. Then, a left onto Rodeo Drive, a left onto Wilshire Valley Drive, and a right onto the park road.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Address: 1647 Wilshire Valley Dr, St Charles, MO 63303

CENTENNIAL GREENWAY WALK

After walking half a mile at Schaefer Park, I walked 1.3 miles out and back on the nearby Centennial Greenway.

*Heading out on the Centennial Greenway trail.*

Start of the Hike

The path begins at the front of the Commuter Parking Lot along N. Outer Road.

*Going to the first bridge across the highway.*

It first goes along this street until it curves around to go over Missouri Highway 94 on a bridge.

Then, it enters a triangular field between highways.

Next, the pathway crosses Missouri Highway 364 on another bridge.

Trail Intersection

I arrive at the point where the Centennial Greenway branches to the left, leading to the Heritage Museum.

If you follow this section trail to the right, you can visit many different places. You can cross the Missouri River to reach Creve Coeur Park or connect with the Katy Trail, which leads to downtown St. Charles, Mo., to the east and Chesterfield, Mo., to the west.

Heading Back

I was only doing a section of the Centennial Greenway, so I turned around and headed back.

On the return, I stopped at a circular courtyard with an embedded star, like the coordinates of a compass. Then, I made my way back to the parking lot.

*Sign showing the different distances to places of interest if you hike further on the Centennial Greenway.*

Final Thoughts

This walk extended the distance of my travels, and I was curious about how it crossed over the highways in this area. Of course, there is some traffic noise. Additionally, this walk is a great starting point if you want to explore other hikes from here.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 64 to Interstate 270 north, then take Exit 16 for Missouri Highway 364 and go west. Then take exit 12, getting onto N. St. Peters Parkway. Then, make a right onto N. Outer Road and look for the commuter parking lot, which is the lot that will reach this section of the Centennial Greenway.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: MODOT Park and Ride Lot, St Charles, MO 63303