St. Charles County Parks' Active By Nature Newsletter
A Publication of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department - Sept./Oct. 2021

Join Our Team!

St. Charles County Parks is hiring!

If you love the outdoors, serving the community, and preserving historical and natural heritage, then the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department wants you to join our growing team! Full-time positions are available for those seeking rewarding maintenance and park careers.

Benefits include:
•    Competitive Wages
•    Health Insurance (Medical, Dental and Life)
•    401(a) Retirement Savings
•    457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings Plan
•    Missouri Lagers Retirement Plan
•    Paid Time Off
•    12 Paid Holidays
•    Bereavement and Military Leave
•    Jury Duty Allowance

Apply today at https://bit.ly/ParksEmployment or call St. Charles County Human Resources at 636-949-7320 for more information. 

Fallen Heroes Honored at Veterans Tribute Park Memorial

Construction of the Bicycle Playground and Skills Course is progressing at Kinetic Park.

The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department recently added the name of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz to the list of fallen heroes to the memorial wall at Veterans Memorial Plaza and Garden at Veterans Tribute Park in Weldon Spring. The Wentzville Marine was one of 13 U.S. troops killed in the suicide bombing at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport on Aug. 26. The wall's stone panels feature the names of St. Charles County soldiers who died in service to our nation since World War I. The name of Lance Cpl. Schmitz is the 185th to be inscribed on the wall. 

National Display Planned
A display honoring fallen heroes from across the U.S. is coming to the park this fall. The Veterans & Athletes United (VAU) Fallen Heroes Memorial will be showcased next to Veterans Memorial Plaza from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset Friday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 17. The display features a 28-foot American flag with the dog tags of 7,040 fallen heroes and 50 gold stars in honor of the family members of fallen soldiers who died while serving in a time of conflict. Created by an all-volunteer veterans organization to raise awareness of the sacrifice these men and women have made, the display symbolizes a flag draped over a fallen soldier's casket. A battlefield cross sculpted from mahogany wood by veteran artist Alicia Dietz is displayed in the front of the flag. 

Volunteers are needed to help with set up, take down and 24-hour watch of the display while at the park. Those interested should contact Matt Chiadez with VAU at 636-577-8576. 

Watch Us Grow: Three-Level Playground Nearly Complete

The Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri for winning the 2021 Missouri Park and Recreation Association (MPRA) Organization Citation Award.
The Parks Department is kicking play up a notch with the development of a new three-level playground at Indian Camp Creek Park near Wentzville.  

The dynamic, 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, swings, and a spinning cyclo cone climbing net. The existing Eco Playground (above right) has been enhanced with a wider, paved water play area.

The playground is designed to accommodate guests of all abilities, and will open later this fall. Follow us on Facebook, or visit us online at stccparks.org to learn more about the new playground and other park amenities.  

Parks: Best Places to View Fall Colors  

Exciting new exhibits are coming to St. Charles County Heritage Museum in May 2022!
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and St. Charles County parks top the list of scenic places to view spectacular displays of colorful fall foliage. Whether you're walking along trails or driving through the parks, picturesque backdrops await those seeking vibrant displays of rich amber, burnt orange, deep purple and shimmering gold this season.   

While it's difficult to predict exactly when the leaves will turn, in eastern Missouri colors typically start changing in late September, peak in mid-October, and finish by mid-November, but weather plays a major role in this transformation. Different species of trees, including maple, sumac, dogwood, ash, oak, hickory, sassafras, and more, turn at different times, offering eye-catching vistas for up to six weeks. 

For a more personal experience in discovering the beauty of fall, guests are invited to join parks staff for the following scenic walks:
  • Hidden Trail Exploration: 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 21, at The Park at New Melle Lakes; and 4-5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, at Towne Park.
  • Autumnal Equinox Hike: 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, at The Park at New Melle Lakes. 
  • Ranger-Guided Bird Walks: 8-9:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 27, at Quail Ridge Park; and 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, at Matson Hill Park. 
  • Golden Hour Hikes: 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 28, at The Park at New Melle Lakes; 5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, at Quail Ridge Park; and 5:30-6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, at Towne Park.  
To make a reservation, visit stccparks.org and click "Activity Registration" or call 636-949-7535.

Park Activity Guide is Your Ticket to Fall/Winter Fun!

Wedding venues and more are featured in our newest St. Charles County Parks brochure.

The new 2021 Park Activity Guide is here! It's your ticket to fun through the end of the year in St. Charles County parks. 

Get spooked or enjoy some not-so-scary family-friendly fun with the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department this Halloween season. We’re hosting these "Spooktacular" weekend events during the month of October:

  • FREE! Jack-O-Glow Walk
  • Sprits of the Past
  • Mini Monster Mash 
  • Disc Golf Halloween Glow Tournament
  • NEW! Not-So-Spooky Kids Adventure 
Other fall events include:
  • FREE! Corn Maze
  • Old-Fashioned Hayrides 
  • FREE! Fall Harvest Festival
  • Hands-On Heritage: Gourd Crafting
  • Disc Golf Blind Turkey Toss
The fun doesn't stop there! Mark your calendar—festivities continue into the winter months with these holiday favorites:
  • FREE! Letters to Santa 
  • FREE! Holiday Train Display 
  • Christmas Candlelight Walks (Tickets are already on sale!)
  • FREE! Take a Hike 2021!

For more information and to register for park programs, visit Activity Registration online or call us at 636-949-7535.

More Events and Important Dates


Ongoing: Private Skateboarding, Scooter and BMX Bike Lessons

Ongoing: Ranger-Guided Hikes 
Ongoing: School Field Trips
Sept. 16-30: Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz
Sept. 16: Lights and Leashes
Sept. 17 & 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; and Nov. 5, 12, 19 & 26: Friday Night Public Stargazing 
Sept. 17 and Oct. 15: Late Skate and Ride
Sept. 17 and Oct. 15: Airbag Open Jump Time
Sept. 17 and Oct. 16: Youth Level 1 Mountain Biking Skills Clinic
Sept. 18: Magnificent Monarch Migration
Sept. 18, Oct. 8 & 22, and Nov. 5 & 19: Mountain Bike Night Rides
Sept. 22 & 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17 & 24; and Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 29: Heritage Museum Field Trips
Sept. 22 & 29, and Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27: Power Pumpers
Sept. 23 & 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28, and Nov. 4 & 11: Daniel Boone Home Field Trips
Sept. 25 and Nov. 6: A Visit with Daniel and Rebecca Boone
Sept. 25 and 26: Boone Heritage Rendezvous
Sept. 27, Oct. 30 and Nov. 22: Ranger-Guided Bird Walks
Oct. 1: Family Night Out
Oct. 2: Bikepacking Overnight
Oct. 2 and Nov. 13: History Picnics at Hays
Oct. 3 & 24, and Nov. 7: Tomahawk Throwing 
Oct. 3: Hays Trail History Hike
Oct. 4: Nature's Nightshift
Oct. 6 & Nov. 3: Little Nature Explorer Program 
Oct. 10: Archery Skills
Oct. 15: Youth Learn to Jump 
Oct. 16: iNaturalist Hike
Oct. 16: Adult Level 1 Mountain Biking Skills Clinic 
Oct. 16: Adult Level 2 Mountain Biking Skills Clinic
Oct. 19; Nov. 2 and 16; and Dec. 4: St. Charles County Hidden Trails Exploration 
Oct. 20: Date Night in the Park 
Nov. 11: Veterans Night Ruck March 
Nov. 12: Make your own Charcuterie Board Class
Nov. 13: Sunset Sizzler 
Nov. 13 and Dec. 11: Trail Work Days
Nov. 14: The True and Incredible Story of Clara Brown 
Nov. 17: Smartphone Photography Workshop

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201 N. 2nd St., St. Charles, MO 63301

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