PRAIRIE

At the time of European settlement nearly 17% or 55,000 acres of St. Louis County consisted of tall grass prairie. Most of the prairies were located in the northern and central portions of the County. These vast expanses of grassland stretched from the City of St. Louis north through St. Louis County and extended into neighboring St. Charles County. This land of grass reached heights of 6-8 feet and was home to a wide variety of fauna and flora.

Today, nearly all of the original 55,000 acres of prairie is gone. Urbanization, agriculture, fire suppression and the lack of proper management quickly doomed the tall grass prairie. Recognizing this tremendous loss Saint Louis County Parks has attempted to recreate this unique natural resource through the planting of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Once established these sites no longer need fertilizer, watering, and thus represent a reduction in maintenance while providing a unique habitat for wildlife and people.

One of the key management tools for prairie is the use of fire to control woody invasion. Fire, once referred to as the “Red Buffalo,” by Native Americans can sweep through the prairie and eliminate the invasive trees and not harm the prairie flora component. Historically, fires occurred throughout Missouri and were either started by Native Americans or lightening strikes. Today’s burns are conducted by Park staff, when weather conditions and fuel level are such that a purposeful and safe burn can be conducted.

Fort Belle Fontaine Park Located in what once was the prairie belt of St. Louis County, the former 30 acre agricultural field has now been returned to prairie grasses and wildflowers. Once again the tall prairie grasses wave in the autumn wind. In addition to the prairie development a small wetland has been created on the prairie edge. The prairie and wetland host a number of plants and wildlife species making a seasonal trip to the park essential. A 3-mile loop trail traverses the prairie; overlooks the wetland; follows Coldwater Creek with its lush woodlands; and provides glimpses of the Missouri River.

West Tyson Park located near the Meramec River, the Epstein Prairie is situated at the base of the Crescent Hills and encompasses nearly 25 acres. These one-time agriculture fields were planted to native prairie grasses and wildflowers in 1986. Nearly 60 species of wetland and prairie plants have been added to the site. A 6/10 and a 7/10 mile loop trail will take you through the prairie planting.

Lone Elk Park The “Home on the Range,” with buffalo, deer and elk would not be complete if the park did not include some of the prairie grasses that historically supported millions of these great creatures. Small prairie plantings occur throughout the mainly wooded park. White Buffalo Trail will take you through some of the park’s prairie plantings.

Affton White-Rodgers Community Center Planted in 2000, this small prairie planting reduces maintenance, and provides an aesthetically pleasing landscape design. Nearly 20 species of prairie grasses and wildflowers now call the community center home. Butterfly boxes are also located out in the prairie planting.








Spanish Lake Park This 15-acre prairie is located on the north end of Sunfish Lake. As part of the original prairie belt, historically, this North County prairie extended across the Missouri River into St. Charles County. The 1-mile King’s Trace Trail, traverses the Spanish Lake Prairie. This site was planted in 1990.

Creve Coeur Park Site This 600-acre site, yes, 600-acre site consists of a 120-acre shallow natural wetland basin that was once part of the Missouri River; a newly constructed 80-acre wetland/prairie; and hundreds of acres of former agriculture land that will be restored. This whole area is in the planning and development phase but already the results have been tremendous. The wetlands have attracted some birds that are not common in the St. Louis area. Various rails, moorhens, and bitterns have been seen along with northern harriers, to name just a few of the more uncommon sightings at the park. This park is still in the planning phase and no trails or developments have been constructed as yet. We only expect that this site will develop into one of the premier destinations for birding and natural history study for the entire East-Central portion of Missouri. Trails, viewing blinds, boardwalks will be coming to the site in the future.

Hunters Ford Park Site-Situated along a bend of the Meramec River, the Hunters Ford prairie is a unique natural community. This sand prairie combines the deposition of sand during floods from the Meramec with the vegetative development of big bluestem, golden aster, prickly pear cactus and blue star. This 10-acre site is badly degraded, however, plans are to begin restoration and management of the site in the near future. Purchased as buy out property after the 1995 flood this park is not yet open to the public.