Francis Park, St. Louis City

Location: Eichelberger and Donovan Sts., St. Louis, MO 63109

Amenities: Roller Hockey Rink, Handball Courts, Lily Pond Fountain, Playground, Racquetball Courts, Soccer Field, Softball Fields, Tennis/Pickleball Courts, restrooms

Website: http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=3&parkName=Francis%20Park

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

The park is in the St. Louis Hills area, in south St. Louis City.  Ted Drewes (on Chippewa) is only a few blocks away. The playground is in the center of the park, so there's a bit of a walk to get there from any of the 4 sides. 

                                         

The playground is near the tennis and pickleball courts. There is plenty of street parking on all sides of the park. 

                               

They finally updated the bathrooms in 2019 and added some picnic benches as well. 

They replaced the playground in August 2025. Here is a photo of the old one.

There are four areas of the playground. The play structure for big kids over 5 is in one corner, the play structure for little kids under 5 is in one corner, the swings are in one corner, and webbed climbers and other free-standing things in the last corner. 

The play structure for kids over 5 has many amenities, including some different rock walls, several slides, a bridge, a tunnel, a spinner, drums, a webbed climber, and floating stepping stones. 

Disc net climber

Picnic tables

4 sling swings

2 sling swings, 2 baby swings, an ADA swing, and an expression swing. There is also a saucer swing. 

The play structure for little guys has a rock wall, a slide, a boat you can climb on, drums, ramps, and floating steps. 

The free-standing webbed climber is super fun with a slide, and so many things to climb on. 

There is a Little Free Library across the park at Hope Church.

Snake sculpture in the park

Next to the playground is the Rockwell beer garden. It came on the scene in 2021 and it's a nice place to sit and have a drink. 

DeMun Park, Clayton

                                     


Location: 810 DeMun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

Website: http://www.claytonmo.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/28/314

Playground ground cover: Wood chips

This is a small little neighborhood playground in Clayton. I like it because it's fenced in and the equipment is all small so it's perfect for toddlers. There are drinking fountains and restrooms. It is also right next door to an adorable candy shop. 

Clayton replaced the play equipment in the summer of 2019. The park is shaped like a long rectangle with 2 separate play areas, one at each end of the park. I have seen kids on their bikes and riding toys on the paths that connect the two. 

The play structure for little guys has a couple of slides, some free-standing maze boards, 2 sling swings, 1 baby swing, and an adorable little Kaldi's playhouse. 

On the other end of the park is the play equipment for kids over 5. The play structure has a rolly slide, a climbing boulder, a regular slide, a pretend window, and some monkey bars.  There are 2 sling swings and 1 baby swing. There are several musical instruments, including two drums and a xylophone.  They also have some stepping stones and a forked balance beam.

Cute flower bed in the corner.

Tiny little picnic tables!

Restroom