Emmenegger Nature Park

Emmenegger Nature Park covers 93 acres along the Meramec River, with hardwood forests on elevated ridges and wetland plants filling the valleys. The terrain shows varied landscapes shaped by natural elevation changes and water presence.

The land was originally part of the Cragwold estate owned by Edwin A. Lemp before Russell E. Emmenegger purchased and donated it to Kirkwood in 1975. This gift transformed the property from private ownership into public conservation land.

The park functions as a place where visitors learn about Missouri's native plants through marked trails and direct observation. Walking the paths, you encounter the diversity of local vegetation in its natural settings.

Visitors find designated parking and can choose between a one-mile hiking trail or a shorter accessible path through the landscape. Both options allow you to explore the grounds at a comfortable pace without difficulty.

The property previously functioned as a breeding facility for exotic animals of the St. Louis Zoo before converting to its current conservation purpose. This transformation shows how the land shifted to an entirely different role.