Gravois Greenway: Grant's Trail

River des Peres Greenway to Holmes & Leffingwell

 

Description

The greenway is mostly flat and sunny offering direct access to the Historic Sappington House complex, Grant’s Farm, U.S. Grant National Historic site, Affton Athletic complex and Officer Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park. Parking is available at several locations and there are restrooms and water fountains available directly on the trail. The connection to the River des Peres Greenway will take you to Carondelet Park, Willmore Park, Fultz Field and Francis R. Slay Park. You can also walk or ride to Loughborough Commons and the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne MetroLink Station.

Because this trail travels through a densely populated area, you can use it to ride or walk to other places found along the greenway. Restaurants such as The Barn Restaurant at Sappington House, Applebees, Crestwood Elementary School, Cor Jesu Academy, Friar Tucks, the Oak Bend Library, Crestwood’s Whitecliff Park and Grant’s Cabin Bed & Breakfast are located along the greenway. There are also places where you can sit and rest in the shade, park your bike or have a picnic.

grants trail

Get Directions to Gravois Greenway (Grant’s Trail): River des Peres Greenway to Holmes & Leffingwell

Getting There

The trailhead at Holmes and Leffingwell is near the intersection of Big Bend Boulevard and Highway 44. The Mysun Charitable Foundation trailhead at Orlando’s is near Highway 55 and Union Road. If you live nearby, there are several ways to walk to this greenway. The newest 1.6 mile extension between Hoffmeister and River City Blvd. has two neighborhood connections. You can access the greenway on foot or bike (no parking) via a ramp at Bayless and Tesson Street.

Each greenway is managed in cooperation with different municipalities and parks departments, who set the rules for greenway use, parking and hours of operation. This greenway spans multiple municipalities and is managed by the following partners:

  • Kirkwood to Highway 44: City of Kirkwood Parks
  • Highway 44 to Big Bend: City of Oakland
  • Big Bend to Pardee Road: City of Crestwood
  • Pardee to Weber Road: St. Louis County Parks Department
  • Weber Rd. to River des Peres Greenway: St. Louis City Parks Department

Things to Do

Dine

There are a few restaurants directly connected to the trail, such as Applebee’s in Crestwood and The Barn at Sappington House, which is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday.

Explore History

You can explore history at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and The Sappington House Museum.

Grill

You can grill out on the grills located in Whitecliff Park in Crestwood and in Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park.

Play

You can visit Grant’s Farm, open from May until October (daily during the summer). Admission is free if you ride your bike or walk via Grant’s Trail! You can play at Backstoppers Park near the Holmes Street trailhead and in Whitecliff Park in Crestwood. You can also play on the playground at Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park .

Swim

You can swim in Whitecliff Park in Crestwood. Checkout the City of Crestwood website for more details.

See Wildlife

You can explore the wildlife at Grant’s Farm or even spot a Clydesdale from the trail!

Trail Details

11.47 Miles

This greenway includes an 11.47-mile paved trail that is mostly flat and sunny. There are also some shady spots near Orlando Gardens as well as through Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park. There is a boardwalk and restored wetland at Hoffmeister along with a recycling hub adjacent to the Republic Services Recycling Facility on Bayless. You can drop your paper, glass or plastic directly into the recycling stream!
If you walk or ride your bike to Grant’s Farm, you’ll avoid the traffic and won’t have to pay to park! There are bike racks on the south side of Grant’s Farm parking lot, directly off the trail.

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Amenities

Benches

Bike Racks

Drinking Water

Parking

Playground

Restrooms

Shelters

Tables

Trash

Share Your Greenways Stories

Greenway stories are shared through art and signs, tours, digital content, outreach, and community events. These greenway stories are organized around themes of nature, culture, and history. Share your greenway story by visiting the Share Your Stories page or recording your story at 314-932-4904.

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