This past holiday weekend, I was reminded once again why Tilles Park in Ladue has become almost a second home for my family. This place has so many child-friendly features, yet also serves as an oasis for adults looking for privacy, exercise, a brief break from everyday activity or just a beautiful setting.
It’s also where the annual Christmas light display is every winter, in case you were wondering where you've heard the name.
Not to be confused with the “other” Tilles Park, located on Hampton and Fyler Avenues in the City of St. Louis, Tilles Park is located at Litzsinger and McKnight. It is just a 10-minute walk from our house, so there are many obvious reasons why we spend so much time there. Besides convenience, though, it is the wide-range of activities and amenities that continually attract us.
Our almost-2-year-old girl loves playing in water, yet sometimes we struggle to find public locations around St. Louis that offer a safe, accessible place for us to be around water. Now that we’ve reached Memorial Day and the early, unofficial beginning to the summer season, Tilles Park has turned on its fountain spray pool – and thank goodness! It’s fun to just play in the backyard sometimes, but often it’s easier and more eventful to venture out for play time.
I’m a huge fan of the summer spray pool, but that is in play for only three months out of the year (which perplexes me, to be honest). I feel the first of October is a more appropriate cut-off date, or at least the end of the official summer season on 9.21. Regardless, you can enjoy the nice swing area and impressive playground area anytime during daylight hours. The playground has a safe, spongy surface and features numerous slides, spinners, crawl spaces, gadgets and effective ways to attract and amuse children. It is also easy to get to as you can find parking up close. My daughter enjoys the music area as well, where she can bang the various percussion instruments.
Tilles works out well as a lunch or dinner location, as you can incorporate activities for before and after, and there are many places to settle down and enjoy a picnic.
Tilles Park also has a large lake on its north side that is used for fishing, and the park has an athletic field, tennis courts, trails and picnic sites and shelters that can be reserved. Near the playground is a very nice set of bathrooms, including a large family restroom that has come in handy so many times for us.
We’ve been enjoying Tilles Park for almost eight years, but it is the past two years with our daughter that will make Tilles a place we will never forget because it’s been so central to our family fun.
By Brian Doolittle, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Hop into spring by bringing your family for a fun breakfast with the Bunny and other costumed characters at the Saint Louis Zoo. Guests can pose for photos with the bunny, and children 12 and under receive a gift from the bunny's gift basket. Reservations are required.
Hop on down the bunny trail and fill your basket with fun! Eckert’s Annual Egg Hunt includes animals for petting, tractor rides around the farm, planting seeds to take home, ice a cookie, gifts from the bunny, and a free photo scene with the Easter Bunny.
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience.
Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
