Moving to STL Guide — Parks and Playgrounds | West County

The park is located right off of Manchester Road – just turn onto Kiefer Creek Road at the Ellisville QT! When you enter the park, you stay right to go past the water park, tennis courts, and amphitheater, and you can park right next to the playground. The playground is mostly (not completely) fenced with two separate areas for play – one area for the little kids, and a bigger playground for the big kids – and some swings at the end, with infant and handicap-friendly swings. In between the two play areas are some shaded picnic tables, perfect for chatting with your mom friends as you drink your coffee and watch the kiddos! 

Bluebird has nature walking trails throughout the park to go on adventures together. There are baseball fields and pavilions available for rent. We hosted multiple outdoor MOPS meetings and my son’s birthday at Bussman Pavilion this past year – and it was perfect! In the summertime, we frequent The EDGE Aquatic Center, where there is a dedicated toddler time at the splash pad first thing in the morning and swim lessons or swim team options available. Tennis lessons are also offered throughout the year.

Have you been to Ferris Park in Ballwin? It’s a great park for all seasons! The water features makes this one unique! There are two separate playgrounds, one a perfect fit for toddlers, while the other is more suited to older kids. There is a small seating area by the playground, as well as larger covered pavilions with barbecue pits for picnics and gatherings. A large field adjacent to the playground area rounds out this neighborhood park.

New Ballwin Park is a hidden gem, tucked off of New Ballwin Road. This neighborhood park has a stocked pond for fishing, with a fishing deck and is surrounded by a paved trail, perfect for walks and turtle sightings!

The park itself has a playground, basketball courts, pickle ball, and tennis courts. Covered pavilions are perfect for a picnic or just some sought-after shade in those summer months!

Have you visited Wildwood Community Park?

There are unique structures and swings for all ages – including walking trails and paths for biking. Nestled in the woods is a cool creek for splashing, watching tadpoles, or skipping rocks. The path to the creek is paved, making access a cinch!

This park has a large covered pavilion with many tables, perfect for a shady lunch or a large gathering. This park also offers many shady spots throughout. 

Make it a day with some coffee from @starbucks or @sunnystreetcafe. You can grab lunch at @lettylouscafe and finish it off with some ice cream from @histbigchief @mainstreetcreamery_washmo at the nearby Town Center.

Have you visited Faust Park in Chesterfield?

Aside from the great playground you see here, there are walking trails and even a historic village you can explore. The playground has play areas for both younger and older kids. The St. Louis Carousel and Butterfly House are right next door, too!

Grab breakfast at the nearby First Watch or lunch at El Troquero. Head down Clarkson for some sweets from Sarah’s Cake Shop or Small Treats.

The Queeny Park Playground is super unique! It has two traditional playgrounds but also has pyramids with ladders, slides, tunnels and climbing walls. 

We noticed there was only a temporary restroom near the playground but that can change!

Queeny Park is also a fabulous, shady park filled with trails so enjoy a family hike or bike ride while you’re there! As an equestrian-friendly park, you may even spy horses on those trails!

Mom tip: Be prepared to go home with rocks in your shoes!

Moms will appreciate the clean bathrooms, easy parking, and a playground where you’re able to visibly see your child at all times!

Your kids will LOVE the sweet fairy houses along the small trails leading from the playground, the endless opportunities for exploration, the playground with plenty of swings, and HORSES!

As moms who have explored this park on countless occasions, we recommend wearing tennis shoes that can get dirty or rain
boots if you plan on exploring the trails! And lastly if you have a toddler, bring a stroller!! You don’t want to have a meltdown at the bottom of the hill and carry them all the way back to the parking lot!!

Twin Oaks Park is in Twin Oaks city at Highway 141 and Big Bend. This is a small park but gorgeous and with so many things to do. You will find a playground with areas for both toddlers and bigger kids. A big xylophone, rock climbing and swings for all. You can also bring your teens and let them play at the volleyball, tennis or basketball court.

If you plan on a outdoor party, there’s lot of space and shaded picnic tables (with a clean restroom).

I am delighted about the beautiful walking track, where we can spot some fishes from the lovely bridges.

In case you haven’t visited Twin Oaks Park, I think it’s time to try it, I’m sure you will be surprised with the beauty and potential of this place.

Pioneer Park is a neighborhood favorite! A .29 mile walking trail loops around. Two playgrounds offer play areas for varying ages. Older kids enjoy the baseball / softball field, soccer field, basketball, and tennis courts. 

This shaded park is a great summer option! The play fountain will keep little ones cool in those hot months, as well.

The bathrooms are open year-round.

Drace Park provides a unique combination of a large traditional playground, several smaller natural playscapes, and a few pieces of St.Louis County history. Drace Park also has a walking trail, clean restrooms and a beautiful pavilion. It’s easy to see why we love it!

The historic log cabins are my favorite. Each one has a display explaining its history to the area. One is even open to walk through with blocks for kids to build with.

My boys’ favorites are the many natural playscapes. This includes a tree stump obstacle course, a small sandbox, a water feature, a tunnel in the woods and a large area to build with rocks and wood pieces.

Drace Park is super easy to get to, right off hwy 40 & Ballas near the Clayton/Ballas intersection.

Vlasis Park has something for everyone! Toddlers will enjoy the corner of the playground that is just their size with a playset and swings. The older kids will love barreling down the tunnel slides, climbing the tire ladder, swinging, and roaming the play structure for bigger kids. 

A paved walking path encircles a cute duck pond with small waterfalls. Fishing is permitted at Vlasis Park. The paved path will take you past a baseball field and tennis courts, as well.

The playground itself boasts plenty of tables with umbrellas to catch some shade, while larger tables under covered pavilions surround the playground area.

Don’t miss Ballwin Days, the city’s fun-filled celebration held at Vlasis Park each summer!

What can’t you find at Des Peres park? Des Peres Park has two separate playgrounds, one for toddlers, and another for bigger kids. You’ll also find a play fountain in the summer, pinic areas, soccer and baseball fields, shuffleboard courts, pickleball and tennis courts, a parcourse fitness trail, bike and jogging trails, a reservable gazebo, and a fishing lake. 

This park is a scenic one, and is a great spot for impromptu family photos. Many teens come here to take photos before school dances. 

Vago Park is a must visit! There are two smaller playgrounds closer to the main entrance, right next to a sandy volleyball court and an AWESOME splash pad!

If you continue a bit down the road, you’ll find a newer playground with TWO ziplines, and one is ADA accessible! The restrooms are right next to the playground (very clean!) and there are lots of unique slides and climbing structures! There is also a fitness zone right next to the playground where adults can squeeze in a workout 

Add this to your list! Pack a lunch and your swimsuit for the splash pad and make a day of it! There isn’t much shade to be found in the main playground area, so it could be a good idea to start there and finish at the splash pad! 

Venable Memorial Park is one of the busier parks in Creve Coeur! It has a half-mile paved trail, tennis courts, a soccer field, two playgrounds, barbecue grills, and a picnic pavilion. 

The shade in this park makes it enjoyable to visit in the hot summer months. You’ll even find a creek right alongside the playground!

The Meramec River winds throughout Castlewood State Park, and a lush valley surrounds it. Here you will find plenty of hiking and biking trails, and some gorgeous views! 

You can also fish in Castlewood, and there is a wide open playground area. 

This is a popular park, and it does get overcrowded at peak times. When it does, the parking areas can be closed for admittance until the crowd thins.

This 14.25 acre park located on the east side of Bald Hill Road features two lighted tennis courts (also lined for pickleball), two lighted athletic fields, two unlighted athletic fields, pavilion with electricity and grills, restrooms (open year round) and playground. The park is open from dawn until dusk year round.

Lions Park is ADA accessible.

This 23.10-acre park is located across from Forby Estates Subdivision. The park’s 1/3 mile trail connects to Eureka High School and is home to the Eureka Dog Park.  The park has one pavilion that is first come first served and one pavilion available to rent.

Berry Park is ADA accessible. 

Travel through history on The Mother Road at Route 66 State Park. Route 66 captured Americans’ imagination and exposed millions of citizens to small towns across the country. Sample a slice of that at Route 66 State Park’s visitor center, which has displays showcasing the road. The visitor center is the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66. The park’s location, close to metro St. Louis, provides visitors with a quick getaway to nature. More than 40 types of birds have been identified in the park, and picnic sites and trails are sprinkled throughout the park.

Generations of Missourians have passed through Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park’s massive stone gateway for cookouts and family get-togethers or to spend time with friends. The park’s camping facilities, Civilian Conservation Corps architecture, and hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails help all visitors find their place to get away from it all, just minutes from St. Louis. A playground is located in the day-use area at the Guy Park Trailhead, however it is temporarily closed due to storm damage.

Everything you’re looking for in a park! At Creve Coeur Park, you’ll find four different playgrounds, a spray fountain play area, tennis courts, disc golf, archery, a recreational lake and beach area (non-gasoline boats only). Swimming is not allowed. 

Creve Coeur Park is a great one for biking with kids. The flat, paved trails make biking a joy for all!

Lone Elk Park is a drive through wildlife park. You’ll see bison, elk, deer, ducks, turtles, and more! Fishing is available by reservation only. Lone Elk  Park also has trails for hiking through certain areas. 

No pets are allowed in the park.

PRO TIP: the animals are fed first thing in the morning, so arriving before 8 am will give you the best chance to see animals. Guests can enter as early as 6:30 am.