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Community Corner

6 Places To Watch the Meramec Roll Through Town

Where to see the Meramec River as it makes its way through Fenton

The Meramec River defines the eastern boundary of Fenton, but can go largely unnoticed by residents unless it’s flooding. Take a moment to relax by the river and take in some beautiful scenery at these six local parks where the river runs by.

1. Just around the river bend. If you’re looking for a quiet, almost desolate spot to check out the Meramec River, then is the place to go. Check out the Meramec Bend Shelter for a place to rest in the shade, or have a picnic lunch.

2. A place with a past. Emmenegger Nature Park in Kirkwood is not easy to find by car, but you’ll spot it directly across the river from Unger County Park. To drive there, go past Powder Valley Conservation Center on Cragwold Road, cross over Interstate 44 then turn right. This land was once part of an estate that belonged to the doomed Lemp family and has since been used by the St. Louis Zoo as an exotic animal breeding area, as a public pool for Kirkwood and a resort.

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3. Boardwalk to nowhere. This section of the hike and bike trail runs between the Meramec River and Yarnell Road. Check out the oddly short boardwalk and pavilion where you can have a view of the river as it runs between two golf courses— behind you and the Tapawingo National Golf Club on the far side of the river.

4. A bridge runs over it - way over it. For an unusual view of the river, park your car under roaring Hwy. 30 where it crosses over Larkin-Williams Road and the Meramec River. You can also pick up the Meramec Greenway trail here and walk or ride to Fenton City Park to the north or Olde Towne Plaza to the South.

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5. Ghost of bridges past. A stone gazebo across the street from the provides a historic view of the river. The gazebo marks the spot where a ferry crossed the river in 1833, landing in what is now Sunset Hill’s Minnie Ha Ha Park. It is also the spot where a cover bridge crossed in 1854 and a one lane iron bridge in 1885. The current Highway 30 bridge is visible up river and the under-construction Gravois bridge can be seen down river.

6. Point the way to fun. A giant compass statue marks St. Louis County’s George Winter Park. This park is the place to go if you want to interact with the Meramec River first hand. The park has a boat ramp that is popular with outdoorsy folk who want to fish, paddle or jet ski on this wide portion of the Meramec.

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