The Youth Activity Park, a new 25-acre park located in Dardenne Prairie constructed primarily for youth ages 12-18, will open to the public on May 14 at 9am. The grand opening ceremony begins at 10am and celebration activities are scheduled until 2pm. This state-of-the-art addition to the St. Charles County Park system provides an array of recreational opportunities from extreme sports like skateboarding and rock climbing, to video arcades and study areas.
The park and its variety of recreational opportunities is a result of survey answers from area junior high and high school students which indicated a desire among youth for a park that they can call their own.
“We are excited about this park because it’s unique - we asked our youth what kind of recreation they wanted, they answered, and we listened. This park provides a safe place for our youth to gather outside of school and home,” said Bettie Yahn-Kramer, Director of St. Charles County Parks and Recreation. “We want youth off the street and off the couch – get them active and having fun.”
Park amenities include a 33,000 square foot skate park, a BMX trick track, an indoor/outdoor rock climbing wall, half-court basketball, sand volleyball, open play fields, and an activity center housing a video arcade, pro shop, and concessions. Covered park benches can be spotted throughout the 25-acre park, some near a pond that is home to giant goldfish. Video cameras located throughout the park will soon allow visitors to view the park on-line to check weather or see who else is visiting the park. Satellite radio systems will play music throughout the park and big screens adorn the activity center walls to show live shots of the skaters and BMX riders in action.
The skate area of the park has been open since October of 2003 and brings in regular visitors. Over 1,000 youth have registered for the skate park, including some from surrounding states and as far as Texas, New Hampshire, and Georgia who drop by the unique park during road trips or visits to area friends and family.
During the week, no one under 12 or over 18 will be allowed into the park other than qualified parks staff. Extended hours on Saturday mornings will allow visitors of all ages to enjoy the park together, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All park users, regardless of age, will be required to have a membership card that is swiped to enter and exit the park, allowing computers to track visitors and help monitor the park for appropriate usage. When registering for a photo-identification membership card, all patrons will be required to show a legal form of identification that includes their birth date.
There is a low-cost, annual membership card fee of $24 and an additional daily fee of $3. A one day pass is also available for $10. Park hours vary by season, with longer hours in the summer to accommodate school breaks.
The Youth Activity Park is located at 7801 Highway N in Dardenne Prairie. Visit the St. Charles County Parks website at www.stccparks.org for a monthly calendar indicating park hours and age restrictions. Call the Youth Activity Park hotline at 636-949-7475 for park hours, weather-related closures and general information.
