Take a Hike: Top 5 Spots for Fall Excursions in Chesterfield

Today marks the first day of Fall and there's no better way to enjoy it than by taking a long walk, so Patch asked Thomas McCarthy, Chesterfield's Director of Parks and Recreation, about his top five spots for outdoor excursions around the city. 

An avid runner, McCarthy said spending some time outdoors is all about adding to your quality of life.

"[It's great] just to be outside and see what's going on and enjoy the nature, the wild life and the fresh air," he said. 

• Monarch Levee Trail: This is Chesterfield's longest trail and it's also part of the Missouri River Greenway. It stretches 8 miles from Centaur Road on its southwest end to the ice rink trailhead on the northeast side, making it a great spot for cyclists and runners. 
• Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex: Those looking for more open-ended exploration should check out what McCarthy described as a "big muddy area" just north of the complex. "It's a conservation area," McCarthy said. "It's beautiful."
• Eberwien Trail: One of the city's newer additions, Eberwein Park is a great spot for families with its farm-like feel, community garden, dog park and short paths.  
• Central Park: The Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center may be closed down for the summer, but there's still plenty of great paths to stroll along at Central Park. 
• Riparian Trail: This mile-and-a-half path is perfect for a short jaunt in nature. According to the city's website, the term Riparian refers to the area on the banks of a natural water course. In this case, the city is constructing a 10-foot wide crushed stone path adjacent to Chesterfield Creek. McCarthy said it's also a great area to spot wildlife such as turkery or deer due to the density of the woods surrounding it

For trail maps and more information, visit the city's website or call the parks department at 636-812-9500.