If you know me, you know I'm fascinated by everyday historic landmarks. I prefer the places people…read moredon't always think about - like the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. So, fun facts. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is part of the even more historic Route 66. It also helps to connect Missouri and Illinois (and yes, you can walk it - or wheel it in my case). Built in 1929, the bridge features a 30-degree turn halfway across the mile-long bridge. While today this area is very passable by ships, in 1929 a "chain of rocks" (a 17-mile shoal) made passage difficult. Originally designed to go straight across, riverboat men protested because the bridge itself would have created an additional obstacle. Essentially, it had to "bend" for the sake of safe passage. The bridge cost twice its original estimate ($2.5 million), but it was built as a "destination" from the beginning. The Missouri side had a park; the Illinois side had 400 elm trees. There was even an amusement park. Also, during World War II the red sections were painted green so it would be less visible from air. The bridge closed in terms of official function in 1968 - a new Chain of Rocks Bridge opened in 1967 and includes Interstate 270. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was nearly destroyed in 1967. For several years, that seemed likely. In 1980 (another fun fact), John Carpenter used the bridge in Escape From New York). Obviously, the bridge has been restored to some fame. It's now part of the Route 66 Bikeway (as of 1999), and in 2006 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I'm considering a Route 66 Tenderness Tour (or at least part of the 2,000+ mile highway). This bridge may become part of that, so I'm thrilled I got the chance to check it out. The pathway for biking/wheeling is nicely done, easy to maneuver, and stunning in beauty (though it was an admittedly beautiful day when I was on the bridge). The bridge offers connections to the MCT Confluence Trail, Mississippi River Trail (Isn't it weird? I've been out of school 30+ years and I still sing the Mississippi song when I spell it), and the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. There's free parking on the Illinois side at the bridge entrance and also at North Riverfront Park. The Missouri side has a park with a pavilion, native habitats, an event lawn, and a gated parking lot (the event space opened in 2024). The bridge, no longer used by vehicles, is open daily for bikers/pedestrians (and wheelchairs).

This old bridge is an awesome piece of Americana history. It is about a 1 mile walk to get across…read morethe bridge. There are 2 castle looking buildings in the ole Mississippi that use to be the water source for the city of St Louis. I would recommend parking on the Missouri side as it has be recently redone. Nice parking lot with picnic tables and overhead protection from the sun. No running water but there are 2 porta potties under an awning. The Illinois side is not as pleasant.

The first thing you need to know about Koeneman Park is it has no entrance on Lucas & Hunt despite…read moreits street address. Instead, you'll need to wind through a subdivision to find it. Once you do it's a nice park with a variety of amenities, including fishing. Recent improvements--such as a new basketball court, pedestrian fishing bridge, and lakeside picnic shelter--have enhanced it. Koeneman also has a fairly large playground, two ball fields, and several picnic areas. These are all built around the fishing lake that serves as the park's unique and signature feature.

Nice little park, awful location…read more This would be a terrific neighborhood park--if it were in a neighborhood and not at the corner of busy Bellefontaine and Chambers roads. The park is nearly an acre in size with an unfenced playground just mere feet from the high speed traffic whisking by on Bellefontaine Road. Klein also has a couple of bench style swings, a picnic table, and gazebo. There are no restrooms. There is plenty of parking because the park also borders a strip shopping center.

This is a nature area with a 1-2 mile natural hiking trail in northwest St. Louis County…read more It's a bit hidden and some online info is confusing. The city website, for example, misplaces the park by putting it on the southeast corner of Bellefontaine and Chambers roads. It's on the southwest corner. And, though the park's formal address is on Bellefontaine, the entrance is on Chambers. The park sign is nearly overgrown and the lot is just a wide gravel drive. Other than a picnic table there are no amenities such as restrooms at Wilderness Park.

Like its community, Royal Park is mostly intact but tired and scarred…read more It's off Chambers Road at Royal Drive across from the White Barn drive-thru hamburger joint. The city of Moline Acres owns the park. It's well under 1 acre, and has a small playground with the usual features, benches, bike racks, and a covered table, In mid-January 2021 playground pieces were damaged and the picnic table was badly burned. Though suffering from neglect the park was still usable. A small building blocks the park from Chambers, but there's a park entrance behind the building. There are no restrooms here. Since White Barn lacks seating, Royal Park could be a solitary spot to enjoy your meal.

This mile long bridge has spanned the Mississippi River since the 1920's. In 1936 it officially…read morebecame part of Rt. 66. In 1966 the bridge was closed to all traffic when Rt.270 opened nearby. It reopened in 1999 to pedestrians and bicycles as part of the Great Rivers Greenway. At one mile it's easy enough to walk from one end to the other and back again. The deck is well maintained and although the metal trusses are rusty, they are plenty sturdy. In 1929 when the bridge opened it spanned a dangerous rocky shoal which is where it gets it's name. At present the water level is too high to see the rocks. Although the original design went straight across the river, boatment complained that navigating both the nearby water towers and the bridge piers at the same time was too dangerous. The design was altered to include a turn allowing boatmen to navigate around one thing at a time. Info on the bridge states the reason for the bend is the bridge needed surer footing and has a 22° turn. The Nat'l park states a 30° turn. NPS tells one tale and the Greenway another. I'll let you be the judge: https://www.nps.gov/places/chain-of-rocks-bridge.htm We began our journey on the IL side of the bridge. Midway through the bridge are informational signs about the river. Plaques on the guardrail name donators who support the bridge upkeep. There are also two view finders, one with a handicap accessible ramp on the south side of the bridge. The IL entrance is on Chouteau Island. This island appears to have been created when a barge canal was dug. You can also access the Army Corp of Engineers dam park nearby. A motor bridge over the canal now has a bike lane making the bridge one direction at a time. Pull up close to trigger the red light to gain bridge access. The island has a trail system map at the bridge entrance. I noticed a memorial plaque and looked up the information online. If interested I have attached the wiki link to the plaque photo. A viewing platform, bicycle rack and two benches have also been added to the bridge. The MO end of the bridge has informational signs about the river and the greenway. There is also a small open air pavillion and trash bins. This bridge is listed on a number of Historic Rt.66 websites. A sign on the IL end of the bridge lists other Historic Rt.66 sites in IL. We found this site to be informational with lovely views of the MS River and you can see the Gateway Arch to the SW. Parking is in a paved lot. Walking the bridge is a nice stretch of the legs and is wheelchair accessible. Even at 22°f it was a good stop.

The NEW Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in originally constructed in 1966 to replace the OLD Chain…read moreof Rocks Bridge and to carry I-270 over the Mississippi River. It is a simple beam style bridge with no particular architectural or design elements. A NEWER New Chain of Rocks Bridge is currently being constructed by the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation. The newer bridge is a twin span with improved safety features like wider shoulders. I think it will still be called the NEW Chain of Rovks Bridge but, personally, I think it should be called the NEWEST bridge.

This city park has a variety of amenities for picnics, sports, or just play but the playgrounds are…read moreclose to a busy roadway and parking is along the street. Two baseball/softball fields and a football field are available for team sports. A couple of playgrounds are near a picnic pavilion. The covered pavilion has electricity and restrooms. The unfenced playgrounds are close to busy Chambers Road with only a wood post fence as a barrier. Because there's no lot you're forced to park on Chambers or side streets and walk next to traffic to Tanglewood.

Extremely poor service. I brought my bike in for a tune-up under my plan and they suggested I get…read morea new chain, which was fine. I picked the bike up and withing 25 miles the rear tire shredded on one side. I returned to the shop and was told this was just normal "wear and tear" and had nothing to do with the tune-up. I asked if an examination of the tires was nto something done in a tune-up, and they promptly told me that they have no way of knowing when a tire will shred or become unusable. The shredding was considered "a coincidence". I equate this to taking my car into the shop and know they will look at all the vital parts (tires included) and make recommendations on them. They seem to know what the remaining life span of a tire is I ended up having to buy a new tire and tube, which they would not even give me a discounted price on. They also mentioned that the tune-up plan I had purchased should have never been sold with the bike (not sure what that was all about...). I have been to many of the other bike shops in town and they are knowledgeable and thorough. These folks seem to be in it just for the money. Don't go here unless you really are in a bind. Go to a place where they know what they are talking about.

Very expensive, very bad at fixing bikes. I spent a lot of money for them to mess up my bike.read more