Willmore Park — Attraction in St. Louis

I moved here to be close to Willmore park.

The mowing worker, that's been with city parks for 19 yrs says there are 180 acres to this park It may be one of the smaller forgotten parks along the edge of River des Perez, boxed in between Loughborough Jamison and Gravois; treasured only by its neighbors, track teams and disc golf teams/fans (Swampy enough to be sprayed for mosquitoes by the city. Also A few hanging bug traps near tennis courts)

Willmore has a full disc golf course with tournaments ... With two (shaded) stocked fishing ponds (bass & cat), a midevil type bridge over the smaller pond near the playground. Another midevil looking bridge east(?) of the larger pond that also has two floating docks.

Willmore has a puppy playground and 2 places for doggie mitts or bags.

Willmore has tennis courts, soccer, baseball diamonds, ball fields, and a temporary volleyball or badminton court

The rubber padded Playground ( near the smaller pond) is one of the coolest I ever saw, with an astronaut theme: 2-3 space ships, space port kid bridge with junior moon rock climber wall, mini merri-goround, rope jungle gym, pull up bars, 2 ufo swings, regular swings, 2 pvc xylephones, etc, and a splash pad for summer, , There are 6 pavilions with 2 grills each. Willmore has a newly excavated and raised inner bike trail with 4 (?) flat bridges (frog ponds if recent rain). The outer loop bike trail is about 1.4 miles around both ponds, the playground and along the (4) clean tennis courts. (Add couple tree loops for 5k laps) Willmore is mostly flat If you need hills to train on (choose Clydesdale, = 21 Tesson and Grant trail/ or musick near Lakeshire), .. At Willmore you can get creative and zig zag your route over one decent hill that might get you winded. There are a few other gentle slopes that can be worked in or you can leave the asphalt (like the cross country track teams and ziggle wiggle waggle up any hill you choose); but Willmore paved trails are mostly novice easy light hilly terrain ideal for wheel chairs, beginner fitness or kids learning to ride. Almost smooth for training wheels and trikes, tricycles. One or two little bumps or cracks might give kids butterflies and teach stability. The inner trail loop is brand new smooth and perfectly flush smooth. (Not sure? I've only been on it twice -when I was in deep meditation or distracted)

Wildlife: I'm over the ducks, (they come in our yards and eat flowers and veggies etc.) There are diverse birds... Not sure of all their names, geese, ducks, crane etc. Brown owls, hawks, eagles, oodles of little birds, I saw a tiny bright yellow bird a few times . foxes an occasional deer and all the urban vermin you can name, possum, coon, rabbits, chipmunk, groundhogs and herds of squirrel I never saw one snake, yet

One eagle (& family?) frequent the ponds at Willmore for fish (according to the lady who cleans the playground and restrooms). I saw one perched over the smaller pond by the playground, -- that same day she told me stories of the eagles swooping down to catch a fish ... More...

I’ve been coming to this park since I was a kid, and let me tell you—it never stopped feeling like magic. Tucked away like a little green secret, this place has been the backdrop to so many of my memories. As a kid, I ran wild here—sticky popsicle hands, scraped knees, chasing friends through the trees like we were in some epic fantasy world. And now, years later, it still feels like a sanctuary, a piece of peace carved out in the chaos of life.

The park has aged like fine wine—well-kept trails, clean benches, and lush green spaces that somehow manage to look like a Bob Ross painting year-round. The staff clearly cares. Trash is never overflowing, the bathrooms don’t make you fear for your life, and the landscaping is always on point. Every corner feels intentional—like someone loves this place as much as I do.

There’s something for everyone. A massive playground where the laughter of kids never stops. Grills and pavilions where families turn weekends into feast days. Jogging paths shaded by towering trees that whisper when the wind rolls through. And that pond? A reflective little mirror where ducks glide like royalty and turtles sunbathe like lazy kings. I’ve journaled there, cried there, healed there. That spot is therapy without the copay.

As I’ve grown, this park has grown with me. It’s the kind of place where you fall in love during a late summer picnic or just get lost in thought on a solo walk. It holds history without feeling old, offers peace without feeling empty. It’s not just a park—it’s a living scrapbook, a grounding place that reminds me where I came from and gives me room to breathe, think, and be.

If you’re looking for noise, chaos, or Instagrammable crowds, keep it moving. But if you want a place that feels like home even if it’s your first time visiting? Pull up. Sit down. Let the trees do the talking. I’m giving this place five stars because...

Willmore is another great St. Louis MO city park in the Southwestern region of the city. Which is home to fantastic parks. Willmore is not huge like Forest Park, but it's a nice size. Has lakes (ponds), trails (paved, but almost too rough for baby strollers). The lakes have been stocked, but I haven't seen fishing this Summer - possibly I didn't notice. There are picnic shelters for family/group outings. There's a fire ring but when I called the parks people to reserve it I was told it was only for boy scouts. Have never seen the fire pit in use. There is a children's playground on the North side of the park - street parking is on Jamieson for the playground, but plan your kids to exit or enter your vehicle from the curb, and not the street (Jamieson traffic is nuts). There is also a roller blade hockey ring. I think there are tennis courts on the northern back side (enter from Hampton to get to the back side). Accompany your kids inside the bathrooms. In fact go in first. Just saying. An enjoyable park with lots of walking or jogging paths. There is no dense brush or tree area - it's...