Urban Dad Hikes: A Tale of Two Tilles Parks

This is the tale of two Tilles Parks, one located in Ladue, Mo., and one in St. Louis city, and their shared origin. History of the Two Tilles Parks The story goes that Andrew “Cap” Tilles, a businessman who once owned Churchill Downs and the Fairgrounds Race Track in St. Louis set up a foundation. Tilles donated land in St Louis County to the City…

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Urban Dad Hikes: Hilly Clifton Heights Park

Victorian and Arts and Crafts homes overlook Clifton Heights Park with its fountain and boathouse. Overview This park was originally a private park for residents of the Clifton Heights neighborhood. The tract was conveyed to the city of St. Louis in 1921 which enlarged the park to its current size of 4.4 acres. The park has the most unique topography in the city with a…

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Favorite Urban Hike: Tower Grove Park

Victorian era Tower Grove Park has one-of-a-kind picnic pavilions, one with a circus tent-like roof or another with Chinese dragons. It is my favorite park in St. Louis. Hiking in Tower Grove Park I’ve spent lots of time with David and my son Andrew over the years playing in the park or walking some of its many trails. On a snowy day, I decided to…

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Dad Hikes: Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve

The largest area of Native American Rock art in Illinois is found at Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve. This 198-acre nature preserve also has cascading waterfalls and colorful limestone cliffs. Our Hike Starting the Hike It was a whole family trip including the dog. The two-mile loop trail begins between two farm fields from the gravel parking lot. Next, we came to a second sign…

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Dad Hikes: Meramec Conservation Area

Meramec River views and caves are some of the sites at Meramec Conservation Area. This area is just across the river from the more well-known Meramec State Park, which I will talk about in my next blog. 1.3 Mile Woodland Trail at Meramec Conservation Area Finding The Cave I spent my time here exploring the paved ADA access Woodland Trail through the woods. (Although, a…

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