The River des Peres Trail travels just about four miles through River des Peres Park on the western edge of the city limits, and along the River des Peres Drainage Channel. This is an older trail, and has sometimes not been well maintained, though it is described as great for mountain bikes. Road bikers may prefer to ride River des Peres Parkway.
Built in the early 1980s, despite protests from neighboring landowners, the trail formerly ended in a circle of asphalt about 50 yards from a park parking lot. Recent improvements include a pedestrian bridge crossing the River des Peres and a small creek. Additional improvements include a link to the Holly Hills and Christy Greenways. There is much hubbub about the future of the trail and the greenway project even has a Wikipedia entry online. Google and you shall find…
FOCUS: River des Peres Greenway Site
TELL US YOUR RIVER DES PERES STORY. AND WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MOST SCENIC VANTAGE POINT IS ALONG THE RIVER DES PERES GREENWAY?
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS
There are many miles to the River des Peres, and I am sorry to say I have not seen many of them. While the river is high with water from the Mississippi, I understand that many are enjoying it as a place to fish and to get the boat on the water.
I am excited, though, about the trail that is under construction along Deer Creek (a tributary to the River des Peres) in Maplewood and Webster Groves. There is a somewhat picturesque area in Deer Creek Park (called Rocket Park by many of the local children). It is a little beaten and battered by the recent construction, but when the trail is in and the volunteers get the plants in, I hope this spot will be a not-so-hidden little gem in the watershed.
The most scenic places along the River des Peres Greenway are Morganford Bridge and the Christy Greenway extension between Germania and Holly Hills, i.e., somewhat secluded, lots of trees, away from traffic, quiet, green.
On River des Peres Blvd. between Morganford and Gravois there are 2 parking lots next to ball fields. They are pretty close to each other. The one at Fultz field is a little smaller. There are additional, convenient parking spots along the trail for bikers and hikers.
Robyn Frankel – St. Louis