Meet the Hampton Family

Stephanie and Mark Hampton have always loved the outdoors and hiking. As their family has grown to include three daughters, so has their knowledge of local and regional parks & trails. Stephanie’s Instagram blog @explorestlparks is a popular resource for parents & caregivers looking for places to go and things to do outside with kids. Stephanie has also launched a free monthly meetup for moms and kids called “Nature Play STL.

“Our middle daughter, Holly, was born three months early. She spent 58 days in Mercy’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and needed leg braces. When she started walking, her medical team (Neonatologist, Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist) prescribed “walking on different surfaces” to help her get stronger and steadier on her feet. Walking and running on different surfaces, like grass or pavement, walking up and down hills, and standing on uneven surfaces along the edge of a trail would be a fun part of her therapy. So that’s where the greenways, parks and trails came in! Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, we have hiked over 175 trails & have visited over 150 parks. Holly graduated from the NICU program a year earlier than her team expected and she is strong and steady on her feet! Fresh air works wonders and is so healing. We are so grateful for all of the beautiful parks and greenways in our area and across the state.”

Home Greenway: Fee Fee