Flood Cleanup Underway; Volunteers Needed

Calling all volunteers! Groups and individuals have an opportunity to give back to the community by assisting with cleanup efforts in our parks affected by flooding of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

The parks are still closed, but staff at Bangert Island in St. Charles and Hideaway Harbor Park in Portage des Sioux will begin the cleanup process as soon as waters fully recede and the parks are dry enough to open. Volunteer projects include:  

• removing, litter, debris and logs
• removing silt from roadways, boat ramps and parking lots
• mulching 
• grading 
• replacing trash cans

While it could be a few months yet before cleanup can begin, the department is taking names now of those who want to volunteer. If you are Interested or want to learn more, please call us at 636-949-7535. Additionally, please watch for more information on our Facebook page.  

Good news! Staff already cleared flood debris from Riverside Landing in St. Charles (shown in flood photo above) and the boat ramp at Klondike Park in Augusta. The boat ramp is reopened for use and new construction on Riverside Landing is expected to begin soon.   

2019 Park Development Updates

Exciting new developments and plans to improve existing park amenities are underway. Here's a look at what you'll see at your St. Charles County Parks soon:

• Construction is underway at Veterans Tribute Park for the Veterans Memorial, which is scheduled to open on Veterans Day (pictured above). Overlooking two lakes, the memorial will feature waterfalls and an engraved stone wall with the names of the men and women from St. Charles County who made the ultimate sacrifice in service for our country. Engraved commemorative pavers will line the memorial plaza in star-shaped designs; a limited number will soon be available for purchase for $100 from the Parks Foundation. For more information on how to purchase a paver, email ParksFoundation@sccmo.org or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.
  
  
• New park development at Riverside Landing in St. Charles will be starting soon. A campground, picnic area, new boat ramp, docks for fishing, kayak launch area, and public restrooms are being planned.  
   
• At The Park at New Melle Lakes, renovations are being made to the existing house on the property that will transform it into a rental facility for weddings, reunions and parties. The house, which overlooks the lake, will be able to accommodate more than 100 guests. Additionally, environmentally friendly composting restrooms will be installed near the entrance of the park. Both projects are on track to be completed this year. 
  
  
• Museum displays are being designed and will be installed in the Daniel Boone Hays House at Matson Hill Park in Defiance. The beautiful 1830s home, which was recently restored, and surrounding property was once owned by Daniel Boone's grandson and his descendants. This historic attraction will be open for guests to visit and tour later this year.
  
  
• R.A.D Trails, a non-profit organization with the goal of bringing progressive trails and bike parks to communities, is conducting a trail evaluation in our parks to determine if a gravity trail – an all downhill trail packed with challenging features –can be implemented. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to learn more information. 
• . 
• A 2-mile asphalt path will be constructed soon around Loop Road at Indian Camp Creek Park in Foristell. The new trail will be completed in two phases and open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders.    

Did you know? All acquisition, development, operations, and maintenance of County parks are funded from a local use tax approved by voters in 1997. This ongoing source of park revenue has no sunset and is generated from a tax on goods purchased out of state.
  
For more information about these projects, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.

Nature Play Area Recertified  

For the eighth consecutive year, the Parks Department has received recertification status of its Certified Nature Explore Classroom (NEC) at Towne Park. Located at 100 Towne Park Drive, this nature-based play and learning space supports skill development in children by reconnecting them with the outdoors. It is nationally recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. 

To gain recertification, the department must maintain the classroom and make improvements; provide staff development focused on nature; and engage parents and families with programs, community outreach and advocacy initiatives throughout the year. 

Proven to enhance concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving, relieve stress, and improve skills, this unique nature play area features 11 learning stations, including areas for Gathering, Music and Movement, Open Play, Messy Materials, Sand Play, Nature Art, Wildflower, Building, Balance, Water and a Re-Tire.

The NEC has become a popular destination for thousands of children, families, educators, and scouting organizations across the Missouri region and is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset every day. 

In 2018, 51,228 guests visited Towne Park, including hundreds of children from 19 different schools who participated in educational outreach programs in the Certified Nature Explore Classroom. These fun, unique program experiences are designed to introduce children to the NEC through nature-based activities that are led by park staff and members of the Missouri Master Naturalists, Confluence Chapter. 

For more information about the NEC or to book an educational outreach program for your school or organization, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 or visit us online at stccparks.org.

 Pollinator Garden Opens; First of its Kind in Missouri  

An all-inclusive pollinator garden recently opened at The Park at New Melle Lakes, 400 Foristell Road in New Melle. Praised by the Monarchs and Pollinators Network (formerly Missourians for Monarchs–Naturalists & Gardeners) as being the first of its kind in the state of Missouri, this new diverse and unique attraction is designed for guests of all abilities. 

Located just off the main parking lot of the new 400-acre park, the garden features a variety of blooming nectar and pollinator plants known to attract the five ‘B’s’ — butterflies, bees, birds, beetles and bats. Perennials, herbs and shrubs, such as milkweed, coneflower, alliums, sedum, asters and clethra are some of the plants showcased in this beautiful park space.

For more information about this garden and other pollinator areas in our parks, call 636-949-7535 or email Park Horticulture Supervisor Gail Schatzler at gschatzler@sccmo.org.

Watercraft Rentals Now Available!

Guests can reserve non-motorized watercrafts all summer long at two of our parks! Stand up paddleboards (SUPs) will be available for $10 per hour on July 18, 21, 27; Aug. 1, 9, 11, 17 and Sept. 8, 12, 15 and 22 at Broemmelsiek Park and The Park at New Melle Lakes. Safety jackets and paddles are included with each rental. A few of the boards can accommodate more than one person. The 14 SUPs are available on a first come, first serve basis; pre-registration is advised.

For more information about SUP rentals, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 or visit stccparks.org to make a reservation.

COMING SOON! The Parks staff is working on new exciting ways for citizens to get out and enjoy all that our lakes and Parks have to offer. Monitor our Facebook page for more information. 

More Events and Important Dates

Ongoing: Private Skateboarding, Scooter and BMX Bike Lessons

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