See the Birdhouse Garden at Stacy Park

Stacy Park in Olivette, MO offers a nature walk through prairie grass and woods, featuring a garden of birdhouses.

I walked a 1.3-mile loop with 59 feet of elevation gain in the park along the paved and woodchip paths.

The park is located near Olive Boulevard and is bordered by the Stacy Park Reservoir.

Start of Walk

I pulled into the parking lot. I started the walk on the sidewalk near a black metal sculpture going right.

Next, I passed by a large pavilion with a green metal roof.

Then I came to a blacktop trail and went left.

Next, I made a short right onto another blacktop trail before heading straight off of it going down a gravel trail to the back side of the park bordering a reservoir to the west. The grounds to the south include a baseball field.

Reservoir

The Stacy Park Reservoir was built as a water resource in 1926. This site was chosen since it is one of the highest points in St. Louis County at 700 feet.

Fish in the pond — *Along the gravel path*

Nature Walk

The gravel area is part of the Nature Trails section of the park.

Next, I came to a large boulder field in a grass field with a dedication to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Stacy Park Prairie

I walked further along the gravel path coming to native grasses and wildflowers.

Then I noticed a mowed grass path going to the back of the prairie.

Woods Loop

Through an opening in the woods, I came down to a wood chip path that circled a field through the woods.

On the south side of this area is a koi pond with a stone patio and bench.

When I came out of this area on the backside of the patio was the paved trail that leads to Warson Road. Here I went east back to the main paved trail again. Once at the main loop, I went west.

*Colorful birdhouses can be found in the back of the park. Another tree with others is included as the main blog photo.*

Nature Walk Two

Looking into the woods on the southwest corner of the park I noticed a birdhouse garden. Hung on the trees are different types of birdhouses painted with bright colors. A wood chip path begins here and I started another nature walk.

This trail is easy to follow wide and bordered with logs.

Side trails lead back to the main paved trail, but I followed the path back to close to the front end of the park.

Closeup of the playground that is off-trail.

Out of the Woods

I came out of the woods near the Stacy Playground and took the paved trail back to the parking lot.

*The park also has a toddler playground.*

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed taking nature walks through the woods and prairie grasses that led off the main path. The fishpond far away from the rest of the park was an unexpected find along with many colored birdhouses. The directions might sound complicated, but all you really need to know is that the nature area is on the northeast side of the park and west of the reservoir.

If you want an easier hike you can do the .7-mile paved loop around the park without the nature trails.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 170 to exit 3 for Olive Boulevard and go west. Then make a left onto Old Bonhomme Road and then make a right into the parking lot.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily

Address: 9750 Old Bonhomme Rd, Olivette, MO 63132

MORE ST. LOUIS AREA PARK WALKS

Paved trails to explore at Powder Valley Nature Center

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.