Monday, August 8, 2016

Dames Park, O'Fallon MO



Location: 37 Dames Park Dr, O'Fallon, MO 63366

Website: https://www.ofallon.mo.us/dames-park

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber Mats

Football is the name of the game at 59-acre Dames Park, with three football fields, two playgrounds, three picnic pavilions, restrooms, a concession stand (open during games), a fitness trail, and a one-mile asphalt walking and biking path. Dames Park is also the home of the Omer Dames War Memorial, commemorating St. Charles County soldiers killed during the Vietnam War.

The first playground is shown below. It is very nice with shaded walking paths and gorgeous landscaping. Everything here feels new and clean. The restrooms and drinking fountains are close, as well as a pavilion. 




The play structure is large and features a rock wall, a bridge, several slides, a spinning log you can run in place on, a maze board, small tunnel, rope climber, stepping stones, musical board, pretend storefront, and tons of bars and poles.












This is the second playground at the back of the park. There is a pavilion here but unfortunately I didn't see any restrooms nearby. It has steering wheels, a small tunnel, an abacus board, a little rock wall, slides, and various bars and poles.









Saturday, August 6, 2016

Shaw Park Aquatic Center, Clayton



Location: 111 S. Brentwood Blvd, Clayton, MO 63015

Website: https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/parks-recreation/shaw-park-aquatic-center

Amenities: This three-pool complex consists of a 50-meter competition pool, dive tank, and zero-depth children's pool. The Shaw Park Aquatic Center offers recreational swimming, lap swimming and various specialty classes throughout the summer.

Splash & Play
(Ages 6 months - 6 years) Infants, toddlers, and young children may enjoy the Children’s Pool before it opens to the general public. Parents and caregivers are expected to directly supervise children in their care. Please note: Children attending Splash & Play must be season pass holders in order to participate. Adult season pass holders may bring children who are pass holders or may purchase a Splash & Play punch card to bring children who are not pass holders as their guests. Each non-pass holder child must be accounted for on a punch card for each day of attendance. (There is no punch for the accompanying pass holder adult). 

So to get into this pool for a nonresident (anyone who does not live or work in Clayton) you'd have to buy a season pass and for a family that is $479. Pretty steep. HOWEVER....they have a punch card system that is pretty cool. Here's how it works:

 Non-residents may purchase a 10-visit punch card to attend certain programs. Cards are program-specific, and they allow holders to attend the program ten times, so they can schedule around work, weather, vacations, etc. Season pass holders can even use them to bring guests to their favorite programs! There is no limit to the number of punch cards a person can purchase in a season, and all cards expire on the last day of the program. Punch cards are on sale at The Center of Clayton and Shaw Park Aquatic Center during normal hours of operation. Fees are as follows:

Splash & Play Resident: $60, Non-Resident: $80




 That dolphin is a slide and has water jets spraying out of it. So fun!


 Kid pool with dolphin slide, zero entry, and pop jets


There are lockers, changing rooms, restrooms, and concessions in the building. 




 Dive tank


overhead map of the facility


Thanks go to Ashley for the photos!

Friday, August 5, 2016

Woodlands Sports Park, St. Peters



Location: 1 Woodlands Parkway, St. Peters, MO 63376

Website: http://www.stpetersmo.net/st-peters-parks.aspx#woodlands

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber


This playground was recently renovated and it's so much better than it was!


Before



Now they have 2 adaptive swings, 4 sling swings, and a modified expression swing



The playstructure is huge with maze boards, steering wheels, slides, webbed climbers, and tons of bars and poles. 




Thanks Erin for the photos!


Thursday, August 4, 2016

Dardenne Park, St. Peters



Location: 175 Dew Ct, St. Peters, MO 63376

Website: http://www.stpetersmo.net/st-peters-parks.aspx#dardenne

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

From the website: "Tucked away in a sheltered wooded corner next to Dardenne Creek, Dardenne Park provides visitors with an expansive new playground, a paved pedestrian trail, and quick access to an 18-hole municipal golf course." 

When you arrive you park and then walk down a secluded path. There is a creek here that is small and easy to get to if your kids want to play in it. 








 It's a nice peaceful walk to the playground



We really enjoyed this playground because it has some neat features that you don't see very often. The hippo was a big hit!


 There are 2 baby swings and 2 sling swings. 


 The baby area has a small structure with just a slide and some bars, but it also has a pirate ship!



 The big play structure has several slides, a bridge, a pretend storefront, a musical board, stepping stones, a bubble window, steering wheel, abacus board, and lots of bars and poles.







 You don't see an abacus board very often



 There is one picnic table and several benches scattered around


It's a shame there aren't any restrooms here because this playground is really charming and fun.