Central Park, Maplewood

Location: Bounded by Walter and Elm Aves, Maplewood, MO 63143

Website: https://www.cityofmaplewood.com/government/departments/maplewood_local_parks___amenities.php

Playground Ground Cover: Astroturf

This is a long, skinny neighborhood park, and the playground takes up most of it. It was replaced in late 2024 and is completely fenced-in and gated. There is a toddler area with several activity boards, benches, covered picnic tables, and an area for bigger kids. 

The playground has a large webbed climbing structure, slides, tree stumps, a pretend window, and several hammocks. The playground has a treehouse theme and is a nice improvement over the old one. 

Laumeier Sculpture Park, South County

Location: 12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO 63127

Website: http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/

Laumeier is a 105-acre park filled with sculptures, trails, and wide open spaces. It's a great place to picnic, take a walk, admire some art, and let the kids run wild. The park also offers stroller tours, free family days, camps, and scavenger hunts. Check out its calendar to see all the events it has throughout the year.

Here are the trail lengths:
Art Hike Trail: 0.77 miles / 45 minutes
Central Pathway: 0.64 miles / 25 minutes
Western Woodland Trail: 0.15 miles / 10 minutes
Emerson Spring House Trail

Here are some of the sculptures you will see. Laumeier asks that you don't climb on them, please! Click here for a detailed map. 

The 'eye' is the most popular thing here! 

I think the most popular sculpture used to be "The Way" 

                                              

There is just so much to see here, and it's a great place to explore with little ones. Get this scavenger hunt booklet and try doing it with your kids!

Here are some great tips to enhance your visit to Laumeier:

LOOK at the artworks from different angles:
Crouch or lie down
Stand far away and up close
Circle around

ASK questions to encourage discussion:
What do you see?
What do you think it means?
How does it make you feel?

MOVE your body to imitate the shapes of the sculptures!

INVENT your own creative titles for the artworks before reading the object labels.

DRAW what you see. Sketchbooks are encouraged!

TAKE A BREAK at the benches and picnic tables located throughout the Park. Public restrooms and water fountains are located in the Museum Circle, Way Field, and Emerson Children’s Sculpture Garden, and in the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center during regular building hours.

BRING the conversation home:
What sculpture did you like the most?
Did you learn about a new material?
What new projects can you create at home now?