Part 4: Touring, Reviewing Florissant Parks

As the school year winds down, Jenoa Olson and I wanted to take a tour of the great parks in the . 

Try to make it a point to enjoy what the city has to offer you and your family this spring and summer. Park locations and maps can be found on the City of Florissant website.

We’ve compiled a short list that we’ll bring to you this month about the features and how it can best suit you and your family. 

Features: Family aquatic center, John F. Kennedy Center, archery range, outdoor and indoor racquetball courts, four tennis courts, enclosed court (no nets), sand volleyball, open space, ball fields, Kennedy Memorial Field, drinking fountains, two pavilions with barbecue pits
Bathrooms: Yes, two outdoor, plus JFK center and aquatic center
Parking: Yes, multiple lots
Playgrounds: Yes, two by pavilions (ages 2-8 and 5-12) with swings, and a separate set of swings by the upper lot
Best suited for: All ages
Conducive to: Kite flying, frolicking, archery, numerous sports, walking, picnicking, family reunions, barbecues, watching big machines          
Other comments: The playground geared toward younger children is one of my favorites because it has a zero-entry, which is good for crawlers and new walkers. The Park Maintenance headquarters is located here, so once in a while the boys will see a digger or dump truck rolling out. I just put bows and arrows on our Amazon wish list in anticipation of our boys taking advantage of the archery range. 
Historic Significance: Named after Henry F. Koch who played for the Cardinals and was the first full-time mayor of Florissant.  

Manion Park
Features: Pavilion with barbecue pit, drinking fountain, open space, enclosed basketball court 
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Yes
Playgrounds: One-no swings-suitable for ages 2-12
Best suited for: All ages
Conducive to: Play groups, walking, pets, pick-up basketball
Other comments: The thing that excites me most about this park is what it will provide in the near future for children and parents with disabilities. Accessible Play, Inc. plans to build an inclusive playground where all children can play side-by-side. This park is only a stone’s throw from , which has the city’s only dog park. 

Spanish Land Grant Park
Features: Pavilion with one picnic table, history, La Plaza Memorial, unmarked graves
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Yes
Playgrounds: No
Best suited for: All ages
Conducive to: Frisbee, small picnic
Other comments:  Even if the unmarked graves did not discourage romping around this park, the big hill and busy streets would limit possible activities. Perhaps a nice picnic after a visit to Firehouse 1, which borders the park?
Historic Significance: The land was a gift of the Spanish King to the inhabitants of the village of St. Ferdinand, and the Place d'Arms where the militia drilled. It is the location of the original St. Ferdinand Church and many of the early settlers lie here in unmarked graves. A recent archeological dig on the site uncovered the remains of the 200-year-old rectory and numerous items of significance. 

Sunset Park
Features: Behlmann-Zykan Nature Lodge, Sunset Riverfront Trail, cannon, scenic views, hiking, riverfront, pavilion with barbecue pit
Bathrooms: Yes, two plus the lodge
Parking: Yes, multiple lots
Playgrounds: No
Best suited for: All ages
Conducive to: Hiking, gathering at the Lodge (reservations required), biking, enjoying nature
Other comments: Ride or walk to this park on the Great Rivers Greenway. This is one of my favorite parks, as I lived very close growing up and would regularly bike/run up the long stretch of road leading to it and enjoy the beautiful view while I caught my breath. It is also where my husband first told me he loved me, so I may be partial. Although there are no playgrounds, there are paths that lead through the woods to the river. I look forward to taking my kids down there when they are a little older.
Historic Significance: The original parcel of land was a gift from the Minerva Oil Company and Joseph Deslodge. A young man named Vincent Fonte, Jr. won not only bragging rights, but a $25 U.S. Savings Bond when he won the contest to name the park in 1964.