June 7, 2023
In touch with nature
Around Town
Optimist Club of St. Charles recognizes essay contest winners. Pg.2 St. Charles County government military veterans hosting flag collection . Pg. 3
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Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword. Pg. F-4 Submitted photos
A one-of-a-kind nature route that is accessible for all is under construction in St. Peters City Centre Park behind Ollie’s Fun Forest playground By Brett Auten St. Peters is making sure that it is one for one and one for all. Located adjacent to its historic City Centre Park, a Sensory Trail is currently under construction and is located behind Ollie’s Fun Forest playground. Called an accessible, one-of-a-kind nature route that will encourage and nurture growth for all minds and bodies, the St. Peters Parks Department team is working steadfast to build out the project and continue the extension of the concept of play for all at Ollie’s Fun Forest with this path for all. “This will be the first of its kind in the county and maybe even further, from what we’re aware of,” said Dan Emrick, Parks and Recre-
ation Services Manager for the city. “Anybody and everybody will be able to enjoy this.” Currently, the parks team is in Phase 1 of construction which includes building accessible terrain, signage and guides for assistance, and invites guests to use their senses to guide them in a journey through an old-growth forested area. Phase 1 will have 12 stations while Phase 2 will offer even more expansion. “There will be some unique amenities,” Emrick said. “We had a really good piece of ground that was perfect. There will be endless amounts of things to do. Ollie’s Fun Forest has been a big hit and has rejuvenated that whole side of the park. We are expecting this to do even more so.” Emrick said the idea is to get people to ex-
plore in the forest with educational opportunities to learn about their cohabitants. The finished product will include various tree-related activities, a bug hotel, sound stations as well as access to a 250-year old oak tree in which a carefully constructed boardwalk was put in place in order not to disrupt the ground around it. One of the important things of the project is trying to get community involvement. Whether it’s through donations or adding to the park’s design elements, the community has been a part of its formation. The city is hoping community contributors will help blaze a path for all. Sponsorship See ’NATURE’ page 2
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