Explore the Gardens at Blanchette Park

Discover gardens adorned with blooming plants and shrubs and a Veteran’s Memorial in Blanchette Park, St. Charles, MO.

In the park, I walked various loops to see the gardens and explore the entire area.

There is much to explore in this 44-acre park, the oldest in St. Charles, established on Sept. 26, 1914.

I entered the park from Randolph Street, went to the right, and parked in a space closest to the front of the park.

START OF WALK IN BEN RAU MEMORIAL GARDEN

This walk involves stairs and exploring a garden along a brick path. I went .4 miles with 13 feet of elevation gain exploring the garden.

I entered the garden using the second park entrance. You can also access the garden via the Blanchette Inner Loop, but I wanted to explore it as if I were only taking this walk.

As I headed downhill, I passed numerous trees and bushes. The brick walkways meandered in various directions among the trees, flowers, and shrubs. It’s not too big so that you won’t get too lost. However, be aware that the paths go in different directions, leading to various areas of the park.

I initially took the center path and turned right, passing beneath a wooden trellis leading to a park road towards Randolph Street.

I turned around to enter back into the garden, taking the center trail around a circular garden.

It was wet along this path because it is a sunken garden, and I assume the plants are watered often.

*Steps leading to a garden area on the right.*

FURTHER GARDEN WANDERING

Next, I came to a set of steps that led to a garden area on the right.

I came across a mowed path leading to a small garden with statues of two children looking up, surrounded by flowers.

A path to the left leads to the inner loop, while I chose to go right, passing under another trellis.

I then followed a paved trail that wound around to a statue called the Angel of Hope, a monument dedicated to families who have lost a child.

*American flag swaying in the wind in the garden area.*

I turned right and followed the trail to another section of the garden. Along the way, I passed an American flag. Then I came to an ivy-covered trellis, and found another sign for the park. (Main Blog Photo)

*This map can help guide you around the garden.*

I also came across a map of the gardens.

Then I made a left along a path, passing by some white flowers.

This last path led deep into the woods before I returned to where I started.

Garden History

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created the garden, which provided jobs during the Great Depression in the 1930s. It is named in honor of Ben Rau, a longtime St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department volunteer. The Angel of Hope statue was installed in 1998.

Final Thoughts

Walking through the garden is where you make your own path, so enjoy.

BLANCHETTE PARK OUTER LOOP WALK

This was my longest walk in the park, using sidewalks that go around the park’s outer edge for a total distance of 0.8 miles, with an elevation gain of 23 feet.

Start of the Walk

The sidewalk was in front of where I parked, and I walked north. Large trees line the right side as you walk, while baseball fields are on the left.

Next, I walk past a large parking lot for the Blanchette Aquatic Facility, a great place to enjoy the summer with waterslides and a spacious pool.

Back Area

Then, the sidewalk ends at the road leading to the aquatic center, so I cross the road to where it begins again. Several picnic tables and shelters are located on the far right, and a restroom is available.

Now, the sidewalk leads to a large playground with swings, tunnel slides, walkways, and climbing walls. Across the road are tennis courts, where you can play horseshoes.

I must walk across the grass by the playground, following the park road until the sidewalk resumes to the left. Near the sidewalk, there is workout equipment.

West Side of Park

The sidewalk is across the park road from Memorial Hall and a Veterans Memorial dedicated to those who served in the Civil War.

After crossing the park road, the sidewalk runs alongside residential housing on the right and a parking lot on the left.

Randolph Street Section

Then, I arrive at Randolph Street, turn left, and use the sidewalk to head back toward where I parked.

Across the street is the Parkview Gardens Florist and Greenhouse, which has an antique tractor parked out front. Then, I crossed the park road, passing by the brick columns at the park road entrance.

Next, I pass by the park sign, and in the middle of the intersection for the park roads is a statue of a soldier.

Then I am back in the car.

Final Thoughts

This is a great walk for exploring the entire park, and you can complete it in multiple loops if you choose.

BLANCHETTE PARK INNER LOOP

You can easily do this half-mile walk with only seven feet of elevation gain in loops around the park for a longer walk. You follow the loop drive around the baseball fields and tennis courts in the white section set up for pedestrians.

I walked from where I parked my car to the pedestrian lane. This loop is quite busy, and I’m not the only person walking it. At the beginning of the walk, I encountered flagpoles surrounded by a small garden.

As I walk by the tennis and pickleball courts, I reach the front of Memorial Hall and notice that large flowerpots are blocking traffic from completing the loop. It seems that this area is now restricted to vehicle access.

*Passing by the entrance to the garden.*

After passing the pots, I noticed a trail to the left that allows you to enter the Ben Rau Memorial Garden, which I explored earlier.

Next, I headed toward the park entrance and came to the car.

Final Thoughts

This walk is stroller-friendly; just be aware of the traffic on the right. It’s a good loop to help you build up your mileage.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 70 to exit 229B. Make a right onto 5th Street, then a left onto Randolph Street. Finally, make a right into the first park entrance road and look for parking also on the right.

Hours:

Dawn – midnight. (April 1 – Nov. 14)
Dawn – 10 p.m. (Nov. 15 – March 31)

Address: 1900 W Randolph St, St Charles, MO 63301