DuSable Park, St. Charles

Location: 2006 N. Main St, St. Charles, MO 63301

Amenities: Playgrounds, Boat Ramp Launch Area, Basketball Court, Picnic Shelters, Baseball/softball diamonds, paved hiking/biking trail, rock/gravel biking/hiking trail, sand trail, dog park

Website: http://www.stcharlesparks.com/park/dusable-park/

Playground ground cover: Wood chips

There are 2 different playgrounds in this park and they were both redone in 2018. The first one is in the French Regot area.

The playstructure has slides, a rock wall, and various slides and poles

Restrooms and pavilion area

They have a sling swing, a baby swing, an adaptive swing, and a modified expression swing

 There is a modified merry go round and a ball that spins

Basketball court

The second section of the park is in the Ed Bales area. It's just a short drive down Main St. from the first area. 

They have a playstructure for littles and one for kids over 5. The smaller one includes 3 different slides, a small bridge, and some climbable half circles.

 The big playstructure has a huge 3 story slide so it's def not toddler friendly. There are wire climbers, several slides, a rock wall, a bridge, and various bars and poles.

 Pavilion

 Spinning climber

They have 3 sling swings, a modified expression swing, a baby swing, and an adaptive swing.

Both of these playgrounds are huge improvements over the old ones. Check them out soon!

Indoor Aquatic Center at Maryland Heights Community Center

Location:  2300 McKelvey Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 314-738-2599

Website: https://www.marylandheights.com/departments/parks_and_recreation/community_center.php

I had been wanting to check this place out ever since it opened in April of 2017.  The first year they offered tot time but they stopped it because they said they did not have a great turn out. The daily rates for a non member to swim are $10 for adults, and $8 for kids under 16. Under 4 are free. We recently took advantage of their underwater Easter Egg Hunt and got in for a discounted rate so I was happy to finally be able to check it out!

The facility is new and very nice. The pool is a bit small but the water was nice and warm! The amenities include:

• Three lap lanes 
• Zero-entry leisure pool 
• Current channels 
• 4 foot drop slide into a deep area 
• Climbing wall over the water 
• Zip-Line 
• Separate Kid's area for safe play 
• Accessibility lift available 

This airplane hanging in the entry is a nod to the airplane museum in Creve Coeur nearby. If you haven't been there I highly recommend it! The plane is owned by them and the mayor and had to be disassembled to fit through the doors.

You can go up the spiral staircase to get to the drop slide and the zipline. To do both activities plus the rockwall they will give you a swimming test and watch you swim a couple short laps. If you pass they will give you a bracelet and then you can do the activities. They will also measure you. My daughter is almost 5 and was too short for the drop slide but was able to do the rockwall and zipline. She loved them both!

A lifeguard has to stand at the zip line and pull it back after each person goes so that's why they have limited hours.

Zero entry kids area with slide and fountains

Drop slide

Overall this was a beautiful facility and a great indoor activity to do a cold or rainy day. The locker rooms were big but I didn't notice any concession stand anywhere (my kids are always hungry)

Temple Tots at the Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center, Chesterfield- CURRENTLY ON HOLD

Location: 13788 Conway Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141

Website: http://www.unitedhebrew.org/learning/saul-spielberg-early-childhood-center/student-life/temple-tots/

Temple Tots is a free playgroup held every Tuesday from 10:00 -11:30 am during the school year (August through May). The playgroup is recommended for kids under age 4. Temple Tots is held in a classroom in the Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center which is located within the United Hebrew campus. When you enter just follow the signs to the left towards the school entrance. There is a buzzer on the door and they will let you in and direct you down the hall to the preschool doors.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to explore, discover and make new friends. Each week Lauren Spielberg will lead a fun session including free play and a variety of activities in fine/gross motor skills, messy play, storytelling, art, music, movement, and more. This is open to the public and everyone is invited to come!

Wapelhorst Park, St. Charles

Location: 1875 Muegge Rd, St. Charles, MO 63303

Website: http://www.stcharlesparks.com/park/wapelhorst-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber mats

Amenities:

• 78 Acres
• Aquatic Center Facility
• 4 Softball Diamonds
• Concession Stand
• 2 Soccer Fields
• 2 Tennis/Pickleball Courts
• 3 Picnic Shelters
• 2 Sand Volleyball Courts
• Playground Area
• Paved Hike/Bike Trail
• George Gould Community Building
• Small Fishing Lake
• Concession stand restrooms are open April 1 - November 14. Restrooms attached to the Gould Building are open year round.

From the website: "Wapelhorst Park contains a mix of active and passive recreation components throughout the park. Major destination amenities within the park include a four field softball complex, an aquatic center with speed slide and the Gould Community Building.  Two ponds, three shelters, an interpretative nature trail and wildflower area and several large open lawn areas and picnic sites throughout the park provide a variety of passive recreation opportunities."

This is a very large and very popular park.  The playground was just completely renovated in late 2017. 

They have rock walls, chain climbers, slides, bridges, stepping stones, tons of bars and poles, and lots of climbing things.

 They have 2 sling swings, 2 baby swings, an adaptive swing, and a modified expression swing.

This spinning thing is awesome! 

 George Gould Community building and pavilion 

 pond

 Playground is circled in red.

There is also this small play area over by the concession and the ball fields. Great for keeping little sibs occupied during ball practices and games!

Thank you Erin for the photos!