A walk that leads to a natural spring and through woods is part of a day at Blackburn Park in Webster Groves, Mo.

I walked 1.3 miles through the outer area of the park, which combines paved, wood chip, and natural surface trails. The elevation gain was 98 feet.

At the Trailhead

I pulled into the parking lot in the middle of the park, off of Edgar Road. Then, I walked to the north end of the parking area, away from the park entrance road.

After that, I headed to the paved trail, going left first, passing by a Spanish-style pavilion with a red tile roof. This style can also be seen in other picnic pavilions throughout the park.

The trail curves around the park road towards Edgar Road, passing through trees and grassy areas.

At .1 miles at Edgar Road, I continue on the park path going right

I wind through the forest and going north.

At .3 miles, I come to the corner of Jackson Road and Edgar Road and make another right.

Next, I go right again at .4 miles, which leads me back off the sidewalk and back into the park.

North Side of Park

At the back of the ballfield, you can turn right to shorten the hike or go left to continue around the baseball field, which I did. Nearby is a statue of kids with a pail of water.

Next, at .5 miles, I came to a brick path on the right that goes through the center of the park and again cuts the walk down.

I continue heading left as the path curves around the back of the park, passing by a statue of a little girl with an umbrella.

Near the tennis courts at .6 miles, I come to a path that goes west, but I continue following the paved trail that leads to the Bird Sanctuary, my favorite spot in the park.

Bird Sanctuary

I take the first left at .7 miles and head into the Bird Sanctuary between the bushes.

As you walk, you will intersect with several side trails. I kept going to the left ahead to walk along the outer edge of the sanctuary.

Next, I reached a bridge made from a log, supported by big rocks.

A side trail went to the left, but this time I went on the main trail to the right until I came to the cement steps that cross a clear stream. The stream was flowing full and covered the bottom step. If my son was with me, he would like this challenge of not getting wet.

Then, I reached a brief cement section leading to the Bird Sanctuary entrance off Old Orchard Avenue.

I went to the right at .8 miles, and the wood chip trail goes along a wooden fence.

At .9 miles, I reached a small spring where clear water flows from a short, low cliff wall. I paused to enjoy the lovely view, my favorite nature spot in Mid-St. Louis County.

Next, I follow the trail to the right at the one-mile mark as it curves back to the paved trail near a baseball field and ends at a sign discussing the Bird Sanctuary.

Heading Back

Now I retraced my steps and, this time, went left at the tennis courts at 1.1 miles. I pass by another Spanish-style pavilion.

Then I came to a statue of three kids, with one kid having his arms stretched out, surrounded by a garden.

I walk along the brick pathway to reach a large Spanish-style pavilion with numerous arched entranceways.

Nearby, there is a playground with slides, walkways, and swings, all designed with a forest theme.

At 1.2 miles, I take a paved pathway to the left, passing by a baseball field and then to where I parked.

Final Thoughts

This has become one of my favorite short hikes near Interstate 44 in Webster Groves. I love all the woods and the clear water of the spring. I can’t wait to take my family here and let the kids explore the Bird Sanctuary, along with the playground. The paved trail section is stroller-friendly, and the Bird Sanctuary is kid-friendly since the paths are fun for them to follow. It is a small area, so you can’t get too lost.

DETAILS

Note: Restrooms are located by the playground and tennis courts.

Drive: Take Interstate 44 and then exit 283 south on Shrewsbury Avenue, making an immediate right onto Sutherland Avenue. Then make a left onto Laclede Station Road, a right onto Jackson Road, a left onto Edgar Road, and a left into the park.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily

Address:  421 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Historic Photo of the Spring

Busch Terrace street adjacent to the spring is where a park patron’s great grandfather’s home was and the spring was their water source. The boy standing in the picture was her great uncle. The area that is now Blackburn Park and the surrounding subdivisions was where they farmed. This was in the 1800s sometime after the Civil War.

MORE NEARBY PARK HIKES

Black History Month: Ivory Crockett Park Walk

The park is named for Ivory Crockett once known as the “world’s fastest man” when he broke the world record for the 100-yard dash in 1974.

It is a small park near Manchester Road where you can do an easy loop walk.

Kirkwood Park Hike

Take a hike along a rocky creek, through forested hills, and around a clear lake in a loop walk in Kirkwood Park.

This is a .4 mile paved walk with 10 feet of elevation gain going by fields and a playground.

Exploring a Former Quarry at Dee Koestering Park

Hiking around the huge stones at the former Meramec Highland Quarry is the adventure at Dee Koestering Park in Kirkwood, Mo.

Dad Hikes: Powder Valley Nature Center

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center has paved trails for families to explore the woods crossing wooden bridges over small rocky brooks and streams. It also has an educational component that helps children learn about the environment with interpretive signs that can be found as you walk in the area.