 A Publication of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department - May/June 2020
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Make Plans to Visit our Parks!
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Summer is just around the corner...make plans now to host gatherings with family and friends in our scenic parks. St. Charles County Parks offer the ideal backdrop for those wanting to enjoy a variety of unique, outdoor recreational opportunities – white silica sand beaches, cabin and tent camping, shelter rentals, boat ramps, and much more – as well as, a special place to reflect, honor and remember the men and women who died while serving our country.
This Memorial Day, make sure to visit the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Tribute Park. A beautiful garden (photo above) overlooking two scenic lakes features a memorial plaza that pays tribute to the fallen St. Charles County soldiers who died in service to our nation since World War I. The names of these heroes are engraved in stone panels that are hung along the plaza wall. A shimmering waterfall cascading down the center offers tranquility to all who visit the site that opened in November 2019.
A Tribute Walk leading up to the patriotic monument highlights commemorative pavers displayed in star-shaped designs and interpretive markers that cover conflicts from the time St. Charles County was organized in 1812 to present day wars. The vibrant garden is especially beautiful this time of year with blooming irises and other special plantings.
After observing the memorial, take a scenic walk or bike ride along the 1.6 mile paved trail system that wraps through and around the park. The two lakes are stocked for catch-and-release fishing, and three non-reservable, open-play fields totaling 6 acres make perfect locations for pick-up games and activities.
For information about these and other amenities, exclusive natural and historic features, and watercraft rentals, such as paddleboards and kayaks available in our parks, visit www.stccparks.org or call our office at 636-949-7535. |
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On May 4, 2020, the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department began rolling back restrictions to align with the state of Missouri's Phase I Plan for recovery from COVID-19. Guests are required to continue following social distancing and other Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. While our parks remained open for outdoor recreation during the height of the pandemic, park restrooms, camping, cabins and group camping reopened to the public on May 4. Online reservations are now limited to shelters, individual campsite and cabin registrations only; The Grand Pavilion, indoor facility and group camping reservations must be made by calling our office at 636-949-7535.Additional openings include: Dog parks, playgrounds, the water play area, drinking fountains and the camping kitchen and showers at Klondike Park remain closed until further notice. The Parks Department continues to reassess the situation and additional measures may need to be taken due to COVID-19. Follow us on Facebook or check out our Rainout Line for up-to-date information about park closures. Thank you for your patience and stay well! |
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New Development Popping Up!
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During the past several months, our dedicated staff have remained busy and have been working hard for you! Keeping the parks maintained and open for your enjoyment is something our staff takes pride in doing, day in and day out. But that's not all! We've also been enhancing facilities and developing new areas in the parks. Here's a look at some of the progress we've made. - A new Phoenix Composting Restroom (photo above) opened at The Park at New Melle Lakes. This advanced system was installed off the main parking lot and is already getting considerable use. Complying with guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the composting restroom transforms human waste into a rich, well-stabilized mulch. It's not only environmentally friendly, but odorless, too! This spacious amenity offers a toilet, sink with running water, and hand sanitizer.
- Other composting restrooms already established in our parks were also upgraded to comply with new EPA regulations. To do so, each unit had to be converted and new water lines installed. Now that the work is complete, these composting restrooms offer potable water and are available for use.
- New sod was installed in the 3-acre Off-Leash Dog Area at Veterans Tribute Park. The thick, plush grass was laid near the shelter and other areas of the popular dog park. This improvement was necessary to deter erosion and create a more durable green space for the large and small dogs to play.
- The inside complex of the Youth Activity Park got a fresh coat of paint. This interior project is just the beginning of a series of upgrades the park is anticipated to receive over the next several months. Other improvements include, updating the Park Masterplan, adding new amenities and opening the largest asphalt pump track in the country in 2020.
- Renovations to the Landhaus at The Park at New Melle Lakes are coming along. Soon, this elegant facility will be available to reserve for your next formal or informal wedding, reunion or party. Overlooking a gorgeous 23-acre lake with fountain views, the existing house on the property accommodates more than 100 guests and comes with outdoor seating and lighting. The oversized decorative patio features beautiful stone columns and ornamental railing. Inside, staff continue to convert two large powder rooms into a spacious bride's suite and a groom's quarters. Fresh paint is being applied and new furniture ordered.
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Homeschool Day Scheduled for June 16-17, Aug. 26
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Homeschooled children can acquire core school hours in a unique environment during Homeschool Days at The Historic Daniel Boone Home. We’ve made changes in our programming to make certain every precaution is taken to protect all from the COVID-19 virus. Participants should be prepared to follow social distancing and other guidelines while participating.
Homeschool Days, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 16-17 and Aug. 26, is a learning and exploring opportunity for children and their families. Children learn about life on the frontier through demonstrations in our historic village, such as Black Powder, historic construction of hand-hewn logs, frontier cooking, and fiber arts. Participants in groups of 10 or less will rotate through these stations on a schedule. The program fee includes a scavenger hunt and Boone Home visit, as well as a Take-Home-Kit with hands-on activities for participants to explore at home.
This year, participants need to bring their own sack lunch. The cost of the program is $5 per person, ages 5 and up only. Due to the tightly controlled environment of the program, free tickets will not be issued this year. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To make a reservation, call the park at 636-798-2005 or register online. A limited supply of Take-Home-Kits will be available for purchase for those who are unable to attend. |
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Programs Resume; Virtual Program Videos Available
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Did you hear the great news? St. Charles County Parks is hosting programs in our parks again...but not without making sure your safety and health is our #1 priority. We’re following social distancing and other guidelines during these events, activities, classes and volunteer opportunities—and our participants will too! Each park activity will be altered to ensure your safety. From requiring sanitizer use and pre-packaged food, to offering smaller event sizes and multiple sessions and more, we are doing everything we can to provide a safe environment.
We have released our 2020 Summer Park Activity Guide so you won’t miss any opportunity to get back in your County parks. Events include our Father’s Day Grill Out at The Historic Daniel Boone Home, the Senior Bike Ride at Klondike Park, Stand-Up Paddleboard Lessons at The Park at New Melle Lakes, and Late Skate and Ride events at the Youth Activity Park, and many others. Details and registration information about all of our programs can be found on our website.
And, if you missed our Virtual Program Videos, they are available, too! These informative videos focus on nature and history and were created as an alternative to our traditional programming. Since you couldn't come to us in March and April and part of May, we were able to visit you! Additional educational videos are available on Facebook and are posted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday through May. Please follow us and share these videos with everyone! |
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