Ray M. Schon Park, Glen Carbon

Location: 156 N. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Website: https://www.glencarbonil.gov/877/Parks

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

This playground is newer, and very clean. From their website, "Ray M. Schon Park was opened in 2013. Located on a beautiful rolling tract of greenspace across from Glen Carbon Village Hall on Main Street, the park is a work-in-progress, serving visitors and residents alike. With pavilions, benches, a walking trail and pond within its limits, Ray M. Schon Park is a perfect spot to rest, relax and rejuvenate." Walkers can enjoy a paved trail that loops through the scenic park and around the lake. The park offers several amenities including water fountains, shaded benches, restrooms, a playground, pavilions, a horseshoe pitch, and pet pickup stations. There is a lake here and it is stocked with fish. 

Schon Park and Greenspace North Park are intertwined. Greenspace North Park can be accessed from the park parking lot, or visitors can use the smaller lot located between the Schon Park parking lot and St. James Lutheran Church. Greenspace North Park also includes a section of the Heritage Connector Bike Trail.

The trails are paved and do not have any difficult inclines. The scenic trails lead through wooded areas filled with wildlife.

The playground has a nature theme and has several slides, a net climber, a sound of water board, and floating steps. 

There are 3 sling swings and 1 baby swing.

Restrooms

Map view showing the lake and trails. The playground is circled in red. 

Klondike Park, Augusta

Location: 4600 S. Missouri 91, Augusta, MO 63332

Website: https://www.sccmo.org/690/Klondike-Park

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber Mats

Klondike is a beautiful and unique park. It has more than 4 miles of natural and paved trails for hiking and biking. Once the site of an old silica sand quarry, the area has been preserved and turned into beautiful parkland. A unique lookout bluff provides picturesque views of the Missouri River Valley, as well as the historic Katy Trail.

This cozy camping retreat, nestled in Missouri’s wine country, has become a preferred camping destination. Spend a relaxing weekend camping under the stars close to home! It features six rustic cabins that sleep up to eight guests, 43 campsites with restrooms, and a shower house nearby.

With a modern meeting facility on-site, it’s the perfect location for a family or business outing. It also features a large fishing lake fully stocked with bluegill, bass, and catfish and free boat ramps to access the Missouri River. A unique birding/wildlife area, picnic shelters, and playgrounds for children are just a few more amenities to enjoy while at Klondike Park.

This is the only playground, it's mostly just a large climbing structure. 

Restrooms

Close to this playground is the 'beach' access. There is real white sand here because of its past as a silica quarry. But please don't swim here, swimming is NOT allowed. 

This is one of the 'playgrounds' but it's just 2 sling swings.

Bicentennial Park, Belleville IL

Location: 4811 Belleville Crossing, Belleville, IL 62220

Website: https://www.belleville.net/Facilities/Facility/Details/Bicentennial-Park-4

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

Amenities:

• ADA Fishing Pier
• Disc Golf
• Fountains
• Gazebo
• Lighted Parking Lot
• Nature Trails
• Pavilion
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Sculptures

Bicentennial Park, Belleville's newest community park, consists of 43 beautiful wooded acres and a number of ponds. It was developed and named in honor of the City of Belleville's 200th Anniversary in 2014.

The first playground is right off the parking lot and there are restrooms here also. The playground is small but has some nice features including some stepping stones, a caterpillar tunnel, some tree climbing towers, a log tunnel, and a speaker.  There is an adaptive swing and a sling swing. 

The other playground and splash pad are at the upper portion of the park, and you can follow the path up the hill. The splash pad was built in 2023, and has great features including a frog slide, tree water umbrella, water tunnel, and lots of pop jets.  The hours are 11-6 daily. 

The zipline has an adaptive seat and a regular seat.

The lake is stocked with fish. 

The playground next to the splash pad has several slides, a rocking board, a maze board, a rock wall, and you can climb inside the tree trunk.

Covered pavilion

Interesting little play area with a large frog and a fish climber. 

Another interesting area with a mushroom table and chairs.

Restrooms