Hiking series explores St. Charles County parks

The St. Charles County Parks Department will present the St. Charles County Hiking Series, which begins in February and continues through April. Learn about rich park history, while hiking through scenic areas of the parks. Each hike is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45 a.m., on the following dates and park locations:

• Feb. 25 at Matson Hill Park, 700 Matson Hill Rd., inDefiance.  Take a 5-mile hike through this historical park nestled in Missouri’s wine country.
• March 10 at Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area, entrance off Old South River Road at Fifth Street, in St. Charles.  Hike 3-plus miles through the 160-acre park that is surrounded by the Missouri River.
• April 7 at Indian Camp Creek Park, 2679 Dietrich Rd., off of Hwy. 61, near Wentzville.  Hike 4 miles through St. Charles County’s largest park system. Take a trip to the restored silo that serves as an observation tower and visit an interpretive site preserved to honor the region’s history.
• April 21 at Broemmelsiek Park,1615 Schwede Road at Hwy. DD (Winghaven Blvd.), just south of O’Fallon.  Take a 3-mile hike through the 494-acre park, which records date settlement of the area to the late 1700s.

Hikers carpooling to the event should meet at Backwoods St. Louis, 9 Fountain Grass Dr., in Lake Saint Louis, by 9 a.m.  Hikes are scheduled to begin by 9:45 a.m.  Signs will be posted in the park directing hikers where to gather for the hike.

For more information about the St. Charles County Hiking Series, contact Parks Program Coordinator, Bekin Youngblood, at 949-7535.

If unfavorable trail conditions exist on the day of the event, contact the St. Charles County Parks Closure/Cancellation Hotline at 949-7475 before heading out.