Blanchette Park is the "flagship" of St. Charles Parks. Steeped in history, paving the way for future parks, it represents the ideals of the city fathers' views of the future for St. Charles. Offering tranquilty in its Rau Garden which hosts many wedding ceremonies, the excitement of small children tackling the playground equipment while baseball leagues fight it out on the two manicured baseball fields. Hardly mentioned is "Bums Hollow" a historic feature of the park rivaling (in its own way) the Hollywood Bowl for concerts and gatherings, particularly sledding when winter presents itself with a snow-day. While many newer parks may boast of expanded acreage and expanded asphalt parking lots, Blanchette offers the quietude often missing in our lives.
Blanchette Park
636-949-3372
As the oldest park in the city parks system, Blanchette Park has also seen many changes through the years. It has always been a gathering place for the community, however.
Today, residents head to Blanchette Park to swim in the aquatic facility, which is open between the end of May and the middle of August each summer. Children must be 12 to attend by themselves.
Memorial Hall in the center of the park, is a facility that can be rented for everything from a pancake breakfast to a reception. Rooms can be rented individually. Rau Garden is another popular outdoor garden that can be rented for outdoor weddings.
The park also has baseball diamonds, a football field, horseshoe courts and tennis courts. Bum's Hollow is a natural amphitheater that is used for concerts in the summer and for sledding in the winter.
The City of St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department's Administrative Center is located within Blanchette Park. Visitors can reserve facilities in any of the city's parks by calling the administrative center at 636-949-3372.
- Hours: April 1 - Nov. 14: Daily, daylight - midnight. Nov. 15 - March 31: Daily, daylight-10pm,
- Founding Date: 1914
- Parking: Free lot, On-street: free
- Features: Athletic fields, Benches, Grills, Picnic pavilions, Picnic tables, Playgrounds
- Services: Restrooms
- Area: 44 acres
My family grew up in St. Charles and this was our park. I remember when they had a merry-go-round and a ferris wheel and to end the school year we would have a parade and walk to the school for our school picnic and we all got tickets for free ride and the concssion stand was open for ice cream cones and food. Those where great days and great memories. I know that park has had to make many cutbacks and changes thru the years but I plan on having our family reunion here in 2013. What better place!!!!