Warson Park, Olivette

Location: 9723 Grandview Dr, Olivette, MO 63132

Website: http://www.olivetteparksandrec.com/warson-park.html


Amenities:

• ball fields
• BBQs
• drinking fountain (inside the community center)
• multi-use fields
• Off-street parking
• picnic tables
• indoor playground
• restrooms (inside the community center)
• walking path

This park houses the community center (Five Oaks). They tore the old one down and rebuilt the new one which opened in late 2023. They no longer have an outside playground but they do have an inside one. It can be used by the general public for a daily fee if you aren't a member. 

Big long bench for parents to sit and watch the kiddos.

They have free wifi and coffee too!

Cute tent and building materials for imaginative play.

Art center for crafting plus books galore. 

I hear the slide is fast so beware!

Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad, Wildwood

Location: 101 Grand Ave., Wildwood, MO 63038

Website: http://wfprr.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wfprr?sk=info

The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad is a 12-inch gauge live Steam Railroad. The Railroad is open every Sunday, May through October rain or shine. Trains start their scheduled departures from the station around 11:00 a.m. and trains depart about every 20 minutes. The final train leaves at 4:00 p.m. The ride is a two-mile round trip lasting about 30 minutes and travels along the scenic Meramec River.  The WF&P is run entirely by volunteers. The ride is very scenic, with views of the Meramec River and bluffs, and winds through the woods. The day we visited, our engine could not make it up a slight hill on the track and had to be pushed by another train. This resulted in a 20-30 minute delay on the tracks. Since it was one of the first nice fall days, it was not bad sitting in the woods with a breeze, and other frequent visitors assured me that this was highly unusual. The volunteers running the train were very professional in getting us up and going again on the track and keeping us updated as to what was going on. The train seats are not especially comfortable for an adult, but since the ride is only 30 minutes it isn't too bad. The WF&P is located within walking distance from Glencoe Park in Wildwood.

Tickets are $20 per car. We do not sell tickets per person, only per car. A passenger car can accommodate approximately 2 adults and 3 children. For larger groups, please reserve an appropriate number of cars. If you miss your reserved train, you will not receive a refund or tickets for a later train. Your reservation will be considered a donation to the railroad. Be sure to arrive early!

Check out other train activities here.

Wilson Park, Granite City

Location: 2900 Benton St., Granite City, IL 62040 

Website: https://gcparkdistrict.com/our-parks-%26-facilities

Playground Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Wilson is a huge park and has pickleball, baseball/ softball diamonds, trails, a basketball court, an ice rink, picnic shelters, picnic tables, playgrounds, a skate park, tennis courts, concessions, a swimming pool, restrooms, a gazebo, and a prairie/ songbird site. 

As you can see the big playground is right next to the pool. 

This playground is older but it's huge, with a ton of things to do, including slides, a rock wall, a bridge, and tons of climbing bars. 

There are 2 baby swings, 2 expression swings, and 4 sling swings.

The skate park is a very good one with lots of ramps, rails, and curbs. 

Here you can find a tic-tac-toe board, a steering wheel, and a gear board.  

Spring ride-on animals

Fitness trail equipment

This is a smaller playground near a pavilion near the exit and it has a slide, baby swings, and sling swings. 

This is the General Motors (Republic) F-84F-30-GK “Thunderstreak” (AF 51-9451). This particular display is sponsored by the Granite City American Veterans Post 51.