terrain July/August 2020

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invasive species and return wildlife and birds here. Walk past the zoo and the south end of Post-Dispatch Lake, then head north to return to the starting point.

Forest Park East (3 miles)

The east side of Forest Park features a maze of little-used streets that wind through forests, meadows, and ponds. Head east from the visitor center along Grand Drive. A path heading straight east veers off Grand to follow the lagoon and wind through forests and past ponds once used to breed fish for food. The ponds are now maintained by the state conservation department. Head south to walk past Steinberg Rink then west along Wells Drive toward the Korean War Memorial and the Jewel Box. From here, numerous paths and roads curve north past The Muny and The Boathouse to return to the visitor center. Maps are available online and posted at the park.

Tower Grove Park (3 miles)

Tower Grove Park was founded in 1868 as a gift from Henry Shaw, who had already established the Missouri Botanical Garden just north of the Tower Grove portion of his estate. It continues to be home to historically significant architecture and a selection of mature trees that would impress any arborist. From Kingshighway on the west to Grand Boulevard on the east, the park is 1.5 miles long. Birders will want to visit the birding garden in the northwest corner. Music lovers can see busts of famous composers surrounding the Music Stand. As of this writing, the streets inside the park are closed to vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians full use - a great opportunity to hike the park unimpeded while keeping socially distant.

hiking

Keep enjoying those greenways with public health in mind, please.

TIPS: stay home if you're sick, avoid busy spots, keep your distance, wear a mask, communicate if passing, have fun!

Find a greenway near you at:

GreatRiversGreenway.org

EASTERN EXPOSURE

Across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Louis, the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, Illinois, allows hikers to view forest, wetland, and marsh environments with easy access for drivers and bikers thanks to its location on the Madison County Transit Trails system. Two small lakes are the centerpiece of this 1.5-mile urban hike. Numerous short side trails jut offthe main loop and lead to elevated platforms, an amphitheater, a waterfall, and the bikeway, among other features. The southern portion of the loop is paved, and the entire loop is stroller-friendly. The south side of the lake features a concrete boardwalk for a tour of the marsh. What started out as an abandoned sewage lagoon has been transformed over the last 30 years into a haven for deer, turtles, and birds of all kinds. Interpretive signs along the loop explain the different kinds of wildlife you might see.