No One Trailing Behind

Interactive concept encourages multigenerational use

By Molly Olten
Photos: Courtesy of St. Louis County Parks

The typical image of a park playground includes enthusiastic and engaged children playing tag, swinging from monkey bars, jumping from platforms, and laughing together. Then, just off to the side, are the adults—parents and guardians—with only a few venturing into the playground frenzy with their children.

This scene is common in most parks and not inherently bad, but the St. Louis County Parks Foundation noticed an opportunity. What if there was a way to have the whole family playing together?

Since its creation in 2015, the foundation has made significant contributions to St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, which maintains 73 parks, six historical and cultural sites, and six recreation centers, and oversees the use of more than 12,000 acres within the county. With nearly one-million residents, the county is also the largest in Missouri. The foundation was established to support and promote the facilities, programs, capital improvements, and resources of the department.

The foundation has donated fountains, playground equipment, a gym-dividing curtain, shade structures, and more. A worn-out spray pool received a much-needed fix and facelift, and four face-to-face parent/child swings were installed in various parks.

Achieving A Foundation Goal

All of this was achieved in fewer than four years, but despite these accomplishments, there was always one project that was still on the “to-do list”—Family Trails. Family Trails is designed to encourage multigenerational use so kids, parents, and grandparents can all share this space.

The foundation selected Spanish Lake Park, located in North St. Louis County, to implement the concept. Along the 1.4-mile trail around the park’s lake, the foundation has installed four separate stations. Each station has nature-themed play attractions and exercise equipment for adults. The children’s features include concrete animals and playground pieces, and the two exercise pieces include equipment like stationary bikes or a bench press.

This combination of fun and exercise lets children and parents enjoy playing together and just being together. The design of the trail not only inspires interactive play for all ages, but makes it possible for children to lead adults and other playmates from station to station.

The foundation raised more than $100,000 to complete the project. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in August 2018. Similar trails are planned at two other county parks.

The St. Louis County Parks Foundation saw the opportunity to bring the whole family together with an innovative recreation solution. Parents and guardians won’t be on the sidelines anymore, but right in the middle of the fun.

Molly Olten is the Public Information Coordinator for St. Louis County Parks. Reach her at (314) 615-7886, or MOlten@stlouisco.com.