Westhoff Park Has a Bug's Life Theme

In Westhoff Park, you can find a playground that has a “bug’s life” design with blue caterpillars and green centipedes. If you have a young kid, like my son Andrew, this is a whimsical play area to explore.

The park is in O’Fallon, Mo., north of Interstate 70 on TR Hughes Boulevard.

BRENDAN’S PLAYGROUND

The playground is all-inclusive and has boardwalks that connect to ramps that are wheelchair accessible. It is dedicated to Brendan Schmitt who lives in O’Fallon. Despite a rare genetic disease that affects his bone and skin structure, he still wants to enjoy a playground and see other children also have this opportunity.

*Rope ladder in the center of the playground.*

In the middle of the playground is a rope structure that kids can enter from different directions. It is low to the ground for younger kids to explore.

*My son Andrew standing on top of the spider.*

Main Boardwalk

The main boardwalk can be entered by a wheelchair from the back. It includes a mushroom top.
Next to it is an eight-leg blue spider with orange spots that my son stood up on at the front.

Andrew was then swallowed by a blue caterpillar, a tunnel the kids can crawl through.

Then he climbed up on a red ant mound that he used the foot holes around it.

Another climbing structure is a smiling green centipede with two red ladybugs congregating in front.

Andrew then went down a bright red roller slide.

More Playground Fun

Then he sat down on the gray saucer swing. I pushed him to give him some height.

We walked around a smaller play structure with a slide, tunnel, and green leaf-like ladder.

*Andrew checks out his image in a funhouse-like mirror.*

My son enjoyed a mirror that made him look huge in the front with a small face.

The playground is partially covered to help keep the kids out of the sun's heat. Also, a large green grasshopper sits in front of a bench. — *The playground is partially covered to help keep the kids out of the sun’s heat. Also, a large green grasshopper sits in front of a bench.*

Final Thoughts

He enjoyed the bug theme, and different play structures and was fascinated by the funhouse mirrors.

By the Playground

Nearby is a spray pad that has covered seating and is open during the summer.

Walk Around the Park

I did a half-mile walk around the park with 26 feet of elevation gain with my son riding his bike.

First, we headed to the left of the playground along a sidewalk. Then we went south along Sheppard Drive walking along the grass since there is no sidewalk along this road. Traffic along the road is slowed by a brick dip along it. Baseball fields are on the left.

Then we made a left onto a sidewalk that passes by a tennis ball court on the right and baseball fields on the left.

Further down the path you go by restrooms, a pickleball court, and a roller hockey outdoor rink.

Next, the trail becomes gravel and ends at a baseball field.

We went down a hill and walked through a parking lot and back to a sidewalk along Bill Hayden Drive.

When we went left we headed back to the playground.

Going right you can do an out and back to check out the skateboard/BMX park.

*Map of the park. I did the walk around the baseball fields and courts.*

Final Thoughts

It would be nice if they created an actual walking trail that loops through the park. We made do with walking around the park through fields, but it is less optimal.

DETAILS:

The full name of the park is Paul A. Westhoff and named after a popular 19th-century O’Fallon, Mo., mayor.

More Amenities

A second playground is located on the southwest corner of the park to the west of the tennis courts along Sheppard Drive.

The 65-acre park also offers horseshoe pits, restrooms, sand volleyball, pavilion, and concession stands during games.

Drive: Take Interstate 70 to Exit 219 for TR Hughes Boulevard go north and then make a left onto Bill Hayden Drive and parking for the playground is on the right.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Address: 810 Sheppard Dr, O’Fallon, MO 63366