For the Love of the Outdoors

If you like to spend time sitting and thinking — or just sitting — Forest Park is the place for you. From Kennedy Forest to aptly named Hidden Creek Savanna, the Park is full of tucked-away trails that lead to some of the most secluded places in the city. This time, we won’t even provide you with picture hints. However, you can use ForestParkMap.org as a tool to choose your own adventure.

Here is a guide to five of my favorite spots.

1.     The Tree-Root Bench
Thousands of Muny-goers pass the Hidden Creek Savanna every year but never know it.

A plaque marking the savanna’s entrance is tucked away just over a ridge along Union Drive, about 100 feet north of the Muny Parking Lot. A ridge hides it from the street. Follow the short trail across the savanna, including the small wooden bridge over the creek.

Exiting the path on the other side of the savanna, you have a choice to make: Turn left to find an amazing, tree-root bench, or turn right for a conveniently placed tree stump amid fir and pine trees.

To find the tree-root bench, walk along the edge of the savanna about 50 feet. See the first tree to the left? Find the path through the grasses to the tree. The grass around the tree lies flat, likely flattened by deer who come here to drink from the babbling brook.
 

2.     The Grove of Forelorn Trees
Deer Lake Savanna is home to several fascinating sitting places, of varying degrees of seclusion. The most haunting one I call, “The Grove of Forelorn Trees.”

Enter the savanna either near the intersection of Grand and Union or off Theatre Drive, just east of the bridge off of Pagoda Circle.

Either way you start, you’ll cross a small bridge over a creek. Shortly after the bridge, you’ll find a striking dead tree, cut off about 15 feet up.

Look closely, listen and take it all in. Scattered around the tree are large trunks in different stages of decay and rebirth, perfect natural seats for thinking about life. With a little imagination, you’ll see faces and eyeballs and noses and horns on that dead tree standing nearby.

Be sure to explore the creek flowing through this hidden site.

Pro tip: Avoid this area on Halloween.

3.     Council Circle
While approaching the Grove of Lost Trees, you may have noticed a side trail to your left or right. If you venture onto it, you’ll be rewarded with a surprise view of Council Circle, an old stone-and-concrete amphitheater.

However, to sit on Council Circle’s benches — imagining campfires, storytelling sessions and mysterious goings-on of years gone by — you’ll need to enter Deer Lake Savanna near the statue of General Franz Sigel at Grand and Union.

Enjoy walking through a marsh without getting your feet wet. You’ll hear a rush as you cross a small bridge over water flowing from the marsh, with cattails and other water plants lining the path to Council Circle.

Once arrived, have a seat and enjoy the water, the lily pads, the trees and tall grasses across the way. Who knows what wildlife or natural surprises will greet you here?

4.     A Rock with a View
Continuing south along the path away from Council Circle, the rush of water again fills your ears from small waterfalls below where water is pumped into the stream.

When I visited recently, three ducks happily perched above the falls on the rocks, which are almost spaced close enough together to cross to the other side — with a little jumping. I chose not to disturb the ducks by trying it and risking a cold dip in the water.

But nearby, I found a perfectly placed flat rock to absorb the view. The natural beauty of the water in the foreground complements the entrance to the Muny, Pagoda Circle and the Nathan Frank Bandstand through the trees. Behind the rock, the trail continues for those who would rather enjoy the Park in motion.

5.     The Land of 1,000 Benches (Well, 14, at Least)
Kennedy Forest is a natural universe unto itself that could merit a dozen stories about hidden trails, but let’s focus on one for now—the loop that begins at the picnic and restroom facilities off of Wells Drive near the Saint Louis Zoo.

If benches are your thing, this is your place. The trail switchbacks downhill through the trees, and at the end of each “zig” is a bench before the start of each “zag.”

Once you’ve approached the base of the hill along Government Drive, you’ll cross several wooden bridges before the trail begins switchbacking uphill — again, with benches strategically placed along the way.

All told, this one loop offers 14 opportunities to sit and enjoy the bright green moss growing on tree trumps and stumps, the rustle of chipmunks and squirrels in the leaves, and the giggle of kids making their way to the Zoo.

Join Forest Park Forever at half price by December 31, 2019, to help conserve and preserve all of hidden trails that lead to magical places for sitting and thinking — or just sitting — For the Love of Forest Park!