May 02, 2012 - St. Charles County

Park Place
May/June 2012 Edition
St. Charles County Park News
Historical Towne Park to be Dedicated
The St. Charles County Parks Department will formally dedicate its newest park development, Towne
Park, situated off Highway 61, north of Wentzville, beginning at 11 a.m., Friday, May 11, during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Rich in St. Charles County history, the 109-acre park features a reconstructed 1800s historical homestead, formerly known as the “Pink Plantation;” the only Certified Nature Explore Classroom in St.
Charles County; paved and natural surface trails; a large fishing pond; picnic areas; a play set and scenic rain
gardens for the public to enjoy. Experience history, nature and education all coming together at Towne Park.
“The St. Charles County Parks Department continues to build a legacy by developing a popular, growing
regional park system,” said Parks Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer. “Towne Park will be the tenth St. Charles
County Park opened to the public, since 2000.”
During the celebration, a performer from the Living History Company will portray Ruth Boyd; the original owner of the homestead who settled the land in the early 1800s. Other characters of that era will also be
visiting with park guests. County Executive Steve Ehlmann and Parks Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer will be
keynote speakers. The St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard will conduct the flag presentation at the beginning of the ceremony. Children from the Wentzville School District who helped with the
development of the certified Nature Explore Classroom will also be in attendance. The Wentzville Chik-Fil-A
and Dierbergs Wentzville Crossing are sponsoring the event by donating light refreshments. The park will be
officially opened to the public at noon, Friday, May 11, for guests to tour the homestead and other park amenities.
Donated by the late Mrs. Betty Towne, the property was to be preserved and turned into a public park. For
its efforts to restore the homestead, the Parks Department was recognized at the Missouri State Capital in Jefferson City by receiving the 2007 McReynolds Award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation.
The main focal points of the park are the restored homestead and the certified Nature Explore Classroom,
a dynamic, nature-based play and learning space, which supports skill development in children by reconnecting them with the outdoors.
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony on May 11, the celebration of the new park will extend into
Saturday, May 12, when Living History Company reenactors and others will be performing from 10 a.m. – 2
p.m., at Towne Park. Demonstrations include: shawl weaving, material dying, and cast iron restoration. All
ages are welcome to watch the performances.
Towne Park Certified Nature Explore Classroom
St. Charles County Parks wanted to provide children with a rare and educational “nature play area” to
explore while visiting the newest park development, Towne Park, located on Towne Park Drive, off Highway
61, north of Wentzville. It was decided to create a dynamic, nature-based play and learning space, which supports skill development in children by reconnecting them with the outdoors. The Nature Explore Classroom,
one of the main focal points of the new park, is a magical place for children to learn, discover, and explore
nature will be opening to the public at noon, Friday, May 11.
“The Nature Explore Classroom at Towne Park is the only certified classroom in St. Charles County that offers children a different outdoor play experience,” said Parks Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer. “With only a few
in the region, I expect the classroom to become an inspiration for children, families, and educators across the
tri-county area.”
The Nature Explore Classroom is certified by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational
Research Foundation and encompasses 11 learning stations for children to explore. It features a Gathering
Area, Music and Movement Area, Open Play Area, Messy Materials Area, Sand Play Area, Nature Art Area,
Wildflower Area, Building Area, Dirt Digging Area, Balance Area, and Water Area.
“Each area of the classroom is designed to motivate children by offering interactive elements – including
musical instruments made of natural materials, climbing structures, wooden blocks, garden areas, and natural materials for building and creating art – that would give children important and inspiring nature experiences,” said Yahn-Kramer.
Research is showing that children need connections with the natural world as a regular part of their
healthy growth and development. Disconnection from nature is leading to increases in problems such as
childhood obesity and fear of the outdoors. The Nature Explore Classroom reconnects children with nature
and provides educators and families with comprehensive resources to connect children with the natural world
on a daily basis.
“While connecting children to nature, such unstructured play and activities are shown to enhance concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving, relieve stress, and improve skills,” said Yahn-Kramer.”
Many volunteers and businesses have also generously donated their time and materials to build this outdoor oasis for children. Earthworks, Inc.; Shaw Nature Reserve; Forest Keeling Nursery; Gersenite,Inc.; Big
Creek Quarry; First Capital Lion’s Club; Forest Releaf of Missouri; Fred Weber Quarry and St. Louis Composting are all sponsors of the classroom. Dedicated volunteers from the Confluence Chapter of the Missouri
Master Naturalist have also assisted the Parks Department with the construction of the classroom and have
adopted the project as their annual service program.
Now that Nature Explore Classroom is completed at Towne Park, it will be open to children, families,
teachers, and scouting organizations who want to experience something extraordinary that reconnects them
with nature. The classroom is also accessible to the disabled.
Visit www.stccparks.org or contact St. Charles County Parks at 636.949.7535
for information about upcoming programs and events during May and June