Drace Park: A Small Historic Park in Town and Country

Nestled along an outer road just east of 270, Drace Park is owned and operated by the city of Town and Country. The city purchased the property in 2000 from the family that bears its name, dedicating it three years later, in 2003. The park sits on nine acres of land and is a combination of trees, grass, small patches of cultivated prairie, and a few other unique features worth a visit.

Getting There

The park is located at 2310 Cedar Valley Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131 (Google Maps link). Although the postal address is St. Louis, it’s within the boundaries of Town and Country.

You can see Interstate 270 from the front of the park, but it’s a ways off the nearest 270 exit. Expect to spend a few minutes driving through West County before you reach the park unless you’re a local. The park is located off a no outlet road south of Clayton Road.

Parking

The park has a small (free) parking lot that is fine for most days but could fill up for special events. We didn’t spot any obvious nearby alternate places to park at.

Costs and Considerations

As with most municipal parks, it’s free to visit. There is a charge for using the pavilion, which you can find out more about on the city’s website.

Things to Do

The park has several features and amenities. They include:

• Picnic Pavilion. The covered pavilion has a barbecue grill, electricity, and several picnic benches.

• Playground. The playground has a few structures for kids to play on and, helpfully, shaded benches.

• Trails. A small network of trails runs around and through the park. A mostly paved loop circles the perimeter, while a few gravel paths mark one side of the park and densely shaded earthen paths run through the middle. None of them are long, but they are scenic, accented by trees, lawn, and patches of cultivated prairie grass.

• Log Cabins. Three cabins dot the park, all of them with interpretive information. They add some color to the park.

Our Thoughts

Drace Park is one of those unique little city parks that is worth going to if you’re looking for a change of pace to your walking habits. It isn’t large — this won’t be mistaken for Forest Park or even Des Peres Park — but if you’re looking for a quiet, well-tended park that has some cool, unique features, this one is worth a visit.