Lower Meramec Park, Trails, & Lake

I love this place! I bike here almost every day. It is a great, wide, and well paved trail for walking, jogging, skating, biking, or playing with your dog. There are multiple access points down to the river for fishing or canoeing. There are two parking lots. The one closest to the highway is much smaller but easy to access. Down the road a ways it's a much larger parking lot that also has a double outhouse style restroom. This place is very clean. You don't see litter UNLESS it was washed up by a flood. Thank you park ranger and fellow citizens for keeping this place safe and clean! Two trash cans, one at each each end of the trail. There is a bench if you access the trail from the farthest parking lot. But only the one 😕 The paved trail is a little over 2 miles long so it's a 4 mile trip to the car and back though the ride is easy and you can make 2 or three laps without realizing just how far you've gone. There are also many trails off the pavement if you prefer walking on gravel or dirt. 3/4 of the trail provides shade under a canopy of trees. Likewise about 3/4 of the trail provides a view of the river. In my personal experience everyone there is very pleasant. No obnoxious riders or egotistical joggers that feel they own the trail. Everyone observes manners. Bikers don't crowd the walkers and likewise a group of joggers will move over for bikers. Pet owners keep the grounds clean. I've seen a mess on the trail only once and it was gone by my second lap. Grass near the pavement is well maintained and trails through the woods are also maintained. No motorized vehicles allowed for which I'm thankful in this case. No park ranger on site that I've ever seen. Not until it's time to close at dusk. This place is great! Easy to find, it's right off the exit.