As a child I went to this work to enjoy the holiday lights. Would love to return in the winter at…read morenight or just on a nice day.

Such a fun little park! It has a baseball field, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a gazebo! This is…read morea cute place to go for stroll.

Rootwad Park is a treasure on the St. Louis riverfront, created by artist Bob Cassilly and his…read morecrew. Cassilly was the creative genius behind the extraordinary City Museum, housed in a former 10-story shoe factory in Downtown West, St. Louis. Rootwad Park was among his later projects. Cassilly died in 2011 while working on Cementland, his ambitious, unfinished project at a former industrial cement plant in Riverview, just north of St. Louis. Cementland was envisioned as an otherworldly landscape of machinery, waterways, and monumental art. After his death, lengthy estate proceedings delayed its future. Fires, theft, vandalism, and graffiti further marred the unfinished site, damaging its structures and remaining artwork. Beelman Truck Co. acquired 16 riverfront acres in 2020 and the remaining 40 acres at auction in 2022. Cementland stands as a dream unfinished, its fate uncertain. Explore Cementland's history through YouTube videos, photos, articles, and the online Cementland Archive. Cementland remains a dangerous, restricted zone. Rootwad Park takes its name from rootwads, the gnarled root stumps found on river driftwood. A 2006 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article noted Cassilly's plans to incorporate large pieces of driftwood into the park's design. The caterpillar sculpture is integrated into a pedestrian bridge, and its body is formed from massive circular metal ends salvaged from cement mixers at Cementland. Old metal cross-ties from streetcar tracks near the City Museum, recovered during Washington Avenue resurfacing, became the spiky hair on the caterpillar's back. A separate pedestrian bridge with an elaborate metal railing arches above a guardian face emerging from the structure and overlooking the park entrance. A giant concrete-and-brick turtle rests nearby, while sinuous concrete snakes wind through the ground. The result is a surreal, unconventional landscape. Raw concrete and weathered metal blend with tall grasses and greenery along the trail, while old industrial buildings provide a historic backdrop for Cassilly's sculptures. In 2006, Trailnet, a nonprofit promoting bicycling and trails, announced plans to develop Rootwad Park. According to Cassilly's longtime collaborator Kurt Knickmeyer, the completed sculptures represented only part of a broader artistic vision left unfinished. Rootwad Park lies along the Mississippi River beside the historic Laclede Power Company building (built in 1901; Italian Renaissance Revival), a short walk north of Laclede's Landing along the Riverfront Trail. A public Riverfront Trail parking lot lies on the south side of Rootwad Park, beside the Ashley Street Power House (built in 1902 for Union Electric Light and Power Company; Beaux-Arts/Renaissance Revival). Rootwad Park is a public space along the Riverfront Trail, used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and photographers attracted to its sculptures and historic industrial surroundings. It also hosts outdoor music shows, underground electronic music gatherings, and alternative community events, reflecting St. Louis's grassroots arts scene. In 2015, a proposed north riverfront football stadium threatened Rootwad Park and the surrounding historic landscape. Buildings slated for demolition included the Cotton Belt Freight Depot, bearing the Migrate mural; the Laclede Power Company building; the William A. Kerr Foundation building; FarmWorks; Stamping Lofts; Shady Jack's Saloon; and other historic structures. The Ashley Street Power House was to be spared. The proposal threatened much of the North Riverfront Industrial Historic District and part of the North Broadway Wholesale & Warehouse Historic District. Initially, Rootwad Park was reported to be within the stadium's demolition zone. Later reports suggested it might be incorporated into the stadium design, but renderings released in September 2015 showed the sculptures would not remain. The stadium proposal ultimately collapsed. Nearby, the Beck & Corbitt Iron Company warehouse (destroyed by fire in 2022) and Shapleigh Hardware Warehouse No. 3 (destroyed by fire in 2024) were tragic losses of the area's industrial heritage. The proposed stadium would have sacrificed the riverfront's historic character for development that risked more traffic, congestion, noise, environmental damage, and visual blight. Historic buildings can find new life as lofts, studios, workshops, and small businesses. Laclede's Landing, once known for its lively nightlife, offers an example of this potential, with historic buildings renovated into lofts. Great Rivers Greenway's North Riverfront Open Space & Redevelopment Plan, discussed in a 2024 update, envisions parks, recreation, and private development across the broader riverfront. Although no approved redevelopment plan for the Laclede Power Company building is identified here, it could become a trailhead or community destination. Preserving the park and surrounding industrial heritage would keep this distinctive riverfront alive.

I have never heard of this park until today. As I was exploring the North Riverfront Trail, I came…read moreacross this little-known area located behind the old Laclede Power Company building. Immediately I recognized the works of the late, great Bob Cassilly (the man behind City Museum, Turtle Park, etc.). But unfortunately, while it is still safe to walk on, it was all mostly covered in graffiti. There were a couple cars parked behind the building with people in them, as for a moment I didn't feel safe. If Pokemon Go is still a thing, this is/was a place for some people to catch them. The sculptures and works look amazing for a moment until you realize how sad-looking they are due to the vandalism. I knew right away after seeing a poster that this was an unfinished project that was probably started while Cassilly was still alive. Apparently, either him or some other group wanted to turn that park along with the abandoned Laclede building into a fun area for both adults and children. I knew this because there was a sketch drawing of how it would look when finished. After doing some research online, apparently this was to go with the proposed football stadium that was to be built between the park and the Stan Musial Bridge. There are plenty of unanswered questions about this park. Is this an official park? Will there be any improvements or expansions onto this area? Is it safe, even with cameras? Why do people "park" there? What about the dream behind giving new life to the old, abandoned Laclede Power Co. building? In all honesty, it will be neglected for a while. I don't see any groups prioritizing on this park anytime soon, let alone the city leaders. As for now its somewhat "eye candy" and a "hidden gem" for those walking/biking on the trail. UPDATE (6/28/2018): after having a conversation about Rootwad Park with a friend who had also been there, she says to watch out and try not to touch anything, as there are probably used needles, if you know what I mean.

Granite City has been trying to rehab itself for so long, and even though it is not your typical…read moreRoute 66 stop - they have been wanting to capitalize on their part of the Mother Road. Though it wasn't during the road's heyday (more in its later years....), they want to make sure travelers will stop through their downtown and get a good look at the mill (because without the mill, there would be no Granite City, right?). But as Yelper Steven pointed out, it's a park dedicated to nostalgia and history. I've noticed that a lot of longtime Granite residents love to cling to the past (in a good and bad way) and showing off these old signs and relics is a great start. A mural and large shield are not too far of a walk. You'll find decent parking, be it on the street or at the small lot across the street from the Neon Sign Park. Be sure to check out the few recently installed Muffler Men statues in Granite City, as well as the "Fork in the Road" sculpture!

A park dedicated to nostalgia and history. The park is located at the corner of Delmar and 19th in…read moreGranite City, IL. It's simply a tribute to two things from our past, classic neon signs and the last 100 miles in Illinois of the historic Route 66. If you're driving thru or by Granite City, it is worth the detour to do a couple of selfies in front of the mural. Of course if you can visit the park at night, you'll see the classic neon signs turned on and in all their glory. It's the Centennial of Route 66, so it is the perfect time to go check out, It's Electric.

Cute park with giant turtle sculpture near the zoo. I had a fun time with friends here on a field…read moretrip in elementary school.

If you are visiting st louis with kids on a good sunny day, come visit!…read more This urban city park has several turtle, hatchling, and snake sculptures. You can climb and play on all of them. In the summer, the sculptures can get hot so be careful. The highway is just below the park so it is extremely noisy. This is also close to the street so it is not the safest place, so visitors must take extreme caution. Dogs are allowed on leash and picnic blankets are allowed. Next door is a small semi enclosed playground with slides and swings. It is not as accessible for those in wheelchairs. There is a restroom and plenty of portable toilets. It's also across the highway from the Zoo and free to park on the street if you do both attractions.

In 1854, the Lucas family deeded the park to the City of St. Louis. From 2010-2015, the park was…read moreredesigned by grassroots group Friends of Lucas Park and underwent a major renovation. Lucas Park (AKA Lucas Garden Park, Lucas Gardens Park) comprises Lucas Park Playground for children and Lucas Park Dog Park. The perimeter of Lucas Park is surrounded by a fence, and the dog park is separated by another fence. Areas are well-maintained. Playground equipment for children is on the east side, which is shaded by large trees. Exercise equipment for adults is on the west side. The official site for Lucas Park Dog Park is lucasparkdogpark dot org. The dog park is open 24 hours year-round. The dog park is for members only. Annual membership is $80 plus $40 for each additional dog. The dog park was designed to provide a safe, off-leash green space for dogs in Downtown St. Louis. The dog park has a water spigot and a hose. Two small swimming pools can be filled with water. Waste bags for dogs are available for free at different locations on the outside and inside the dog park fence.

A people park with a dog park inside it. Located in a mostly residential neighborhood of Saint…read moreLouis (though museums and memorials are nearby), this park has an open grass area, a fountain and a playground with a climbing frame and swing sets. There is also an enclosed dog park. The dog park is membership only and includes space for dogs to run and people to sit. There are bags provided for picking up what dogs do and a place to dispose of them. [Review 14457 overall, 1783 of 2020, number 90 in Missouri.]

This small park looks almost like an afterthought in the St. Ann city parks division. Located at…read morethe corner of Livingston and Wright avenues, its unoriginal name even suggests the city barely thought about it. The 1/2-acre space includes a playground with an old swing set, small picnic pavilion, and a horseshoe pit. Wright Avenue is a somewhat busy street between the airport and St. Charles Rock Road. But, there's no safety fence around the park's playground. Street parking. No restrooms.

Blessed be this monumental green space in Edwardsville. This town is undoubtedly showing themselves…read moreto be anti-green space; I'm so glad we still have (and will always have) our Township Park. Tennis courts have been recently resurfaced FYI

Township Park is a wonderful park to take kids and family to for a beautiful day out! There is…read moreplenty of space to run and place plus they have lots of play ground equipment to keep everyone busy! I don't like you can't bring pets, but I do understand to a point also. It's a great community park!

Be prepared for a 5+ mile drive off Highway 67 to find this state park literally at the end of the…read moreroad. Also, over 4 miles of the road is on gravel. Once at Jones Confluence Point SP you have a 10-minute walk on dirt and concrete paths to the point where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet. The feature here is the meeting of the waters: When the Mississippi is clear you can easily see the much muddier Missouri pushing its way far into the Mississippi's current. At the point three placards describe the rivers and the Native Americans who once lived nearby. Signs in the small pavilion (which lacks a table or seating) describe related area history. Outhouses are the only other amenities.

I visited here a couple of weeks ago and am still thinking about it. We stood on a point of land…read moreand watched the huge Missouri and Mississippi Rivers ripple together a few feet away. If you visit the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower on the Illinois side of the Mississippi do circle around and visit Jones Confluence Point State Park in St. Charles County, Missouri, too. One of the things I appreciated about the park was that it had been cared for but not overdeveloped. We drove a winding gravel road through flat bottomlands and fields, ending at a small parking area, interpretive kiosk and restrooms. Then we leashed up our dog and hiked about a third of a mile through the woods to the confluence point. The first bit of trail is paved; the rest is well-marked dirt/gravel. At the end of the path is a *very tall* pole marking the high point of the 1993 flood - we couldn't believe there could have been that much water. A low monument explains how the two rivers come together. It was all very low key, and *awesome*. We thought about the history of the area and how many travelers through the centuries had stood there. On the drive back to the highway we saw a bald eagle circling overhead.