Opportunities From: Open Space STL

Meet at the O'Fallon Park Rec Complex YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115, Coordinates: 38.681267, -90.221818. From northbound I-70, take Exit 246B onto the Adelaide ramp. Drive west on Adelaide for 0.6 miles. Turn right on W Florissant. In 0.6 miles, turn right into O'Fallon Park. Proceed to the east side of the YMCA parking lot.

This is a great opportunity to do some trail building and maintenance work in the area hit by the May 2025 tornado. If you have not done this work before, this is a wonderful way to learn. We will be working with the St. Louis City Forestry Division and the Ozark Trail Association. We will be cutting and clearing brush, creating new trail and marking trails. Participants can work as many hours as they want.

Dress appropriately for the weather. Bring a hat and gloves, insect repellent, sunblock, 2 quarts of water, snacks and a sack lunch.

Restrooms are available at the O'Fallon Park YMCA.

WHAT: Come join Open Space STL and its community of volunteers as we support Castlewood State Park staff in the removal of invasive Bush honeysuckle from woodlands within the park.

This volunteer efforts is part of OS-STL's Operation Wild Lands program (OWLs), which seeks to aid in the proactive management of public open space, improving wildlife habitat and nature-related outdoor recreation opportunities across the St. Louis region. 

WHEN: 9:00am, Saturday, October 1st. Volunteer check-in will begin at 8:45am. 

WHERE: Castlewood State Park, 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021. Volunteers will meet at Shelter 1, near the playground/picnic area and across from The River Scene Trail. Exact meeting location here. 

WHAT TO WEAR:

Dress for the weather Clothes that you don't mind getting dirty Closed-toe shoes

WHAT TO BRING:

A filled bottle of water - we recommend reusable! Your own work gloves/tools if you prefer - otherwise, they will be provided Sunscreen Bug/tick spray

REGISTRATION NOTES:

The annual OS-STL liability waiver must be signed and approved before a volunteer can register for this opportunity. To see if you have met this qualification, please view your profile here. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ups are always welcome.  Must be 18 years or older to handle herbicide. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.