Transforming historic farmland into a public park
By Scott Woodbury, Horticulturalist and Owner of Cacilia Garden Design
Woodland wildflowers and tall grass prairie don’t just happen on their own. Especially nowadays, with bush honeysuckle aggressively taking over our woodlands and a lack of intentional fire.
Bill Knowles giving a wildflower walk in 2001. Photo by Scott Woodbury
The late Bill and Nancy Knowles (who gave Spring Bend to St. Charles County and a perpetual conservation easement to OLT) knew this. It kept them busy on
weekends with friends and family working together, nurturing the land that Nancy’s father tended through the early 20th century. Their role was simple: raise a family, inspire friends, and take care of the magnificent land that was given to them.
Now in the 21st century, the torch is being handed off again. This time to Saint Charles County, which (with the help of SWT Design) is getting ready to turn this isolated gem of nature, nestled along the Missouri River, into a public park. As the area is surrounded on three sides by residential neighborhoods, the park is of great interest to the neighbors, who need to take their steps.
And so, thanks to Bill and Nancy and Saint Charles County, public amenities are being prepared. Parking, bathrooms, and a covered pavilion with swinging benches will overlook the vast expanse of tallgrass prairie to accommodate visitors.
Walking paths will meander through the prairie, and briefly hover above it, to take advantage of long views across the Missouri River valley. A suspension bridge will allow visitors to walk through treetops and cross a deep valley, before arriving at a beautifully reconstructed prairie on the other side.
I love Spring Bend because it looks, smells, sounds, and feels wild and untouched, even though it was a working farm through much of the 1900s. I think (hope) that when visitors arrive, they will love it too, not just for the steps!