A Publication of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department - Jan./Feb. 2022 |
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Just in Time for 25th Anniversary: New Logo Unveiled
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 A new logo and tagline are unveiled in 2022 just in time for the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department's 25th anniversary.
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The St. Charles County Parks Department is starting off its 25th Anniversary by unveiling a new logo and tagline that better illustrates the energy and growth of the Parks system. The County has acquired 21 parks—17 which are open and four in reserve—since the system began in 1997 with voter approval of a local use tax on out-of-state purchases used exclusively for parks.
The new logo reflects the transformation St. Charles County Parks have made over the years. The graphics, typography and colors bring a fresh new look and feel as more and more people are visiting St. Charles County parks.
“In only four years, our parks attendance has grown by almost 3 million,” says Parks Director Ryan Graham. “We want to celebrate the success of our parks with a new image that reflects not only who we are, but what we provide to county residents.” Graham says attendance for 2018 was approximately 1.5 million and topped 4.4 million in 2021.
The logo uses vibrant orange, teal, and green colors to represent adventure, water, and natural area—all of which are abundant in St. Charles County Parks. These colors match the County’s new Kinetic Park logo, a rebranding that occurred with the renaming of the Youth Activity Park in May 2021.
The new tagline—“built by nature. rooted in history. made for play.”—embodies the rich landscapes and natural beauty, the historic sites and scenery, and the activities and amenities of St. Charles County Parks. These three phrases epitomize the department’s unique parks, diverse facilities and broad range of programs and special events for all ages to enjoy, in addition to features that enhance the region’s historical and natural environmental heritage.
To learn more about St. Charles County Parks amenities, activities and programs, visit stccparks.org or look for us on Facebook! |
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Staff Provides Cleanup Relief for Community in Need
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 Parks staff use several pieces of machinery to clear the debris that was left behind from the tornado that touched down on Friday, Dec. 10 in Defiance, Mo.
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The deadly tornado that ripped through the Defiance area on the evening of Friday, Dec. 10, took the life of a park neighbor and injured others. While it narrowly missed The Historic Daniel Boone Home and nearby Matson Hill Park, debris was scattered along Highway F and Highway 94.
Park staff immediately stepped up to assist neighbors with debris cleanup efforts orchestrated by St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management. Parks was able to also help by providing an excavator, skid loader, two dump trucks, two trailers, chainsaws and three park pickup trucks for the cleanup process.
"Our hearts go out to those affected by this deadly storm," says Ryan Graham, Parks Director. "Helping clear storm damage from the roads and neighborhoods was a way the department could help our community in need."
The tornado touched down at 7:30 p.m., west of Defiance on Highway F and traveled approximately 2.5 miles to Highway 94, causing major damage. This is just 2 miles east of The Historic Daniel Boone Home where guests were attending the annual Christmas Candlelight Walks event. When the sirens went off, park staff directed everyone at the event to take cover inside an underground storm shelter and other safe places in the park. No one was injured and the program was canceled that evening and on Dec. 11 as well.
Refund checks have been processed and mailed to all who purchased tickets for the Christmas Candlelight Walk on those two days. If you have not received a refund check by Jan. 15, please call The Historic Daniel Boone Home at 636-798-2005. |
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New Way to Play at Indian Camp Creek, Broemmelsiek
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 This new playground at Indian Camp Creek Park in Foristell offers exciting play for children of all ages and abilities. Another playground was installed at Broemmelsiek Park in Wentzville.
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Parents and children of all ages are talking about new playgrounds that recently opened at Indian Camp Creek Park in Wentzville and Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance. These dynamic playgrounds offer state-of-the-art features that were built to unleash sensory-rich inclusive play. “Every child deserves to have an enjoyable and engaging experience with new sights, sounds and textures while at play in St Charles County parks,” says Ryan Graham, Parks Director. "That's why it is so important to design playgrounds that not only meet ADA requirements, but provide engaging experiences for children of all abilities." Taking play to new heights, the three-level playground at Indian Camp Creek Park has become a favorite since it opened Dec. 10, 2021. Situated next to the popular Lakeside Pavilion, this 13,000-square-foot play area overlooks the park's scenic lake and features: - cushioned turf
- two large climbing towers with bridges
- large spiraling slide
- stand-out climbers
- traditional swings and an extended rope swing
- advanced spinning cyclo cone climbing net
- general storefront with braille alphabet
- ramped entrances
- musical instruments
- paved water play area
The playground at Broemmelsiek Park opened Dec. 22, 2021 and also is gaining popularity. This 10,000-square-foot playground is located between shelters 3 and 4 in the park and features: - cushioned turf
- two-level net bridges with a ropes course
- wiggle climber
- swings
- a variety of slides
- benches with shade canopies
This park also includes a ramped entrance and sensory wave ramp which provides more play options for children using a mobility device. The playgrounds are open from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset, daily. The estimated cost of the Indian Camp Creek Park playground is $750,000, and the playground at Broemmelsiek Park at $700,000. The construction was overseen by the Parks Department and funded through a local use tax with the sole purpose of park land acquisition, development, operations, and maintenance. |
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New Amenities, Parks, and Developments Coming in 2022
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 A new 1830s style timber-framed barn-like shelter with historic architecture is being constructed near the Hays Home at Matson Hill Park.
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It's going to be another exciting year in St. Charles County parks! In addition to celebrating our 25th anniversary, we're opening a brand-new park near Wentzville, developing a new wedding and event venue at Matson Hill Park (pictured above), and more. New additions that will enhance our growing regional parks system and offer something exciting for everyone are on the horizon. Here’s a sneak peek of park projects planned for this year: - Matson Hill Park: The Phase II Development of a new 1830s-style timber-framed barn-like shelter with historic architecture and doors that open on three sides will be our newest wedding and party venue.
In addition, a restroom and three dedicated downhill-only mountain biking trails of various styles/difficulties and a climbing trail at Matson Hill Park in Defiance also are expected to be available for use this year.
- Missouri Bluffs Park: After a complete makeover, this 286-acre property located in St. Charles will open for group camping. Other features include a low ropes course, shelter with electric and a composting restroom.
- Klondike Park: A new, free boat dock will be built at the Klondike Boat Ramp in Defiance. It will be open for public use to recreational boaters and anglers accessing the Missouri River, as well as serve as a boarding site for the Miss Augusta luxury yacht cruises.
- Heritage Museum: The new “American Revolutionary War in the West” display will open to the public in May at the museum located in St. Peters.
- Riverside Landing: After construction delays due to weather, the 7.73-acre park is expected to open this spring! The development plans feature a new entrance off Huster Road in St. Charles, 13 large and five small RV spots with electric hookups, a dump station for RV sanitary lines, six primitive tent campsites, a free boat ramp, an open play area with scenic overlook plaza, and 59 boat trailer parking spots.
- Flatwoods Park: A new kayak launch will be installed, enabling guests to access the Cuivre River in O'Fallon.
- New Park Coming Soon: Located off Meyer Road near Highway W in Foristell, this new, 199-acre park brings the number of St. Charles County parks to 21! Details about park features will be released as soon as the planning and design phase is complete.
- Kinetic Park: The construction of a new Adventure Play Area will add another layer of fun to this extreme adventure park atmosphere located in Dardenne Prairie.
Please note that the weather, supply chain issues, and construction delays may occur and postpone the progress of park projects. To learn more about these projects and other park developments, follow us on Facebook. |
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2022 Activity Guide is One-Stop Shop to Park Fun!
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 The new 2022 Spring Park Activity Guide is your one-stop shop to finding exciting events happening through April in St. Charles County Parks.
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Our Winter/Spring 2022 Park Activity Guide is here! This digital guide is your one-stop shop to learning about exciting events, activities and classes being offered through April in St. Charles County parks. Experience our popular Maple Syrup Festival at The Historic Daniel Boone Home this spring, search for Easter eggs at Kinetic Park, and celebrate Earth Day appreciation with Park Rangers, plus much, much more! After taking a look at the list of programs planned this season, be sure to share the link to the digital guide and download a printable copy for yourself.
And there's more to come! Information about our summer camps will be released in early March, and the next guide showcasing park events happening from May through August will be available in April. Follow us on Facebook to learn more as details are released.
To register for park programs or for more details about each activity, visit the Activity Registration online or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.
And remember, if there is inclement weather on the day of an event, please check the Rainout Line app on our website to stay up-to-date on the status of the program or call 636-707-0011. |
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More Events and Important Dates
Ongoing: Ranger-Guided Hikes
Ongoing: School Field Trips
Jan. 14, 21 & 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25; March 4, 11, 18 & 25:; April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; and May 6, 13, 20 & 27: Friday Night Public Stargazing
Jan. 16, Feb. 20, and March 20: Yoga and Hiking in the Park
Jan. 21: Nature Arts and Crafts
Jan. 24, Feb. 28, and March 28: Nature Journaling Through the Seasons
Feb. 2: I Dig Groundhogs, Do You?
Feb. 4, March 4, and April 1: History Over Drinks
Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5: Seasonal Nature Walks
Feb. 13 and April 10: Lila, Life of a Missouri Slave
Feb. 13: Sweetheart Hike
Feb. 19 & 20: Teens Volunteering to Make History
March 2, April 6 and May 4: Little Nature Explorer Program
March 5: Maple Syrup Festival
March 5: Washers Tournament
March 5 and April 30: A Visit with Daniel and Rebecca Boone
March 11: Murder Mystery Dinner
March 11, April 1 and April 29: Nature's Nightshift
March 12, March 19 and April 16: Trail Work Days
March 12 and April 16: Pokémon Park Patrol
March 14 & 26, April 15 and May 21: Ranger-Guided Bird Walks - Spring Migration
March 19: March Overnight Bikepacking
March 20: Hands-On: Journal Making
March 21 and April 18: Historic Free Play
March 22, April 5, and May 3, 17 & 31: Community Service Days
March 24: Trivia Night
March 26 & 30, and April 15 & 24: Golden Hour Hikes 2022
April 1 & 15: Mountain Bike Night Rides
April 9: iNatural Hike
April 9: Pioneer Women: Blackpowder to Sampler
April 10: Lila, Life of a Missouri Slave
April 10: Talkin' Turkey Vultures
April 16: Oxen Mill Trial History
April 23: Earth Day Appreciation
April 30: Spring Campout
April 30: Fruits of the Forest
May 21: Paws in the Park
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