Up next to share her favorite run is @emilytravels. Although she loves to travel the world and is a native Seattleite, she is now residing in the Midwest and thought it best to share a route from that neck of the woods.
Favorite Run: Forest Park in St. Louis, MO
Runner: Emily
Location: Forest Park (St Louis, MO)
Address: 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 (Visitor’s Center)
Fun Fact:
It was host to the 1904 World’s Fair and is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
Distance:
It is approximately 5.6 miles around the perimeter, however there are a number of paths within the park, plus the neighborhoods surrounding the park. I like to start near Turtle Park, head east by the zoo, circle around the Jewel Box and catch back up with the perimeter path and follow it to the Visitor Center.
Difficulty:
Moderate – it is relatively flat, but you can easily find hills! For an extra challenge, you can often find people running Art Hill or the steps to the World’s Fair Pavilion. The trails are a mix of paved and gravel roads.
Why You Love It:
I love watching the seasons change within the park. The frost melts into spring blossoms which fade to summer blooms before giving way to autumn leaves. The view looking up Art Hill is one of my favorites in St. Louis. Plus there is always something happening in the park and so much to do besides running – from the zoo to the museums to the different festivals throughout the year. There are water fountains and bathrooms throughout (although not all are open during the winter).
Parking:
The visitor center has a large parking lot, however there is abundant street parking throughout.
Favorite Place To Eat Post-Run:
half & half (in Clayton) has delicious French Toast (but plan ahead because they get busy!).
A big thanks to Emily for sharing her favorite run with us. We hope that this series turns into a list of super cool runs across the country and even internationally – that way if you are ever in the area you know of a recommended route from a fellow #teamsparkle member.
If you’d like to be featured on an upcoming Sparkle Athletic “Favorite Runs“ post, please email us at favoriteruns@sparkleathletic.com.