St. Clair County Parks and Recreation

05/20/2026

Big thanks to the S**g and Erb reps for using Foley Park as a host site Tuesday morning for a demo of the S**g RC Extreme Slope Mower — also known as the “S**g Tree Frog.”

Even with all the rain from Monday, the machine performed extremely well and handled the conditions with ease. It was a great opportunity to see firsthand how this type of equipment could improve safety and efficiency on steep slopes and hard-to-reach areas.

We appreciate S**g and Erb taking the time to demonstrate the technology, answer questions, and allow several different operators the opportunity to test it out throughout the morning.

Check out the video in the comments!

05/13/2026

🌼 Foley Park’s 1/4-acre pollinator plot is just over 6 months in and starting to come to life with new color and activity.

The project began with the help of Gage Lang and volunteers using a mixture of native seed and plugs as part of his Conservation Service Award project. Since then, our crew has continued clearing unwanted growth, identifying native species, and recently adding several new native plants to help the plot continue to develop.

New additions include butterfly milkweed, whorled milkweed, wild ageratum (mistflower), Virginia bluebells, asters, and other native pollinator species that provide important habitat and food sources for butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. 🐝🦋

The plot will take time to fully establish, but we’re excited to see more native plants, pollinators, and color becoming part of the landscape at Foley Park.

05/05/2026

Thank you, Chairman Kern, and our committee for your continued support. We appreciate your commitment to growing and improving our park system.

05/01/2026

That's awesome!

Thanks Kenny Wallace (Official Page) and Kenny Wallace for all of your help! We are speeding towards our inaugural race on August 1st. St. Clair County racing is back at Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park! 🏁

04/25/2026

Wrapping Up This Weeks Park Series!

Closing out our park series this week is a property that expands opportunities and promises to bring great joy to County residents and beyond— Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park. Located at 200 South Belt East, this active community destination has seen a number of recent improvements while continuing to host weekly events and activities.

Fairgrounds Park is currently preparing for the return of the St. Clair County Fair this summer, bringing families, friends, and surrounding communities together for a great local tradition.

Fair St. Clair is scheduled for July 30, July 31, and August 1, with the goal of dirt track racing returning that weekend. Stay tuned!

As improvements continue throughout St. Clair County, we’re excited to see the positive impact these projects will bring to our residents and the region.

Follow for future updates!

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04/24/2026

As Our Week Long Park Series Continues!

From our oldest park to our newest, today we’re featuring the property known as Freedom Farm. Located just outside of Freeburg, St. Clair County acquired the property in September 2025 as part of our continued commitment to preserving open space and expanding future recreational opportunities.

Currently closed to the public, Freedom Farm has already seen significant progress. Since acquisition, our staff has worked diligently clearing brush, removing understory growth, and taking down dilapidated and run-down structures to help restore and improve the property.

This summer, we will begin developing a long-term maintenance plan while continuing to shape the vision for what will become a great future park for the surrounding communities. 🌍

04/23/2026

🌎 Earth Day Park Series Continues! 🌿

Today we’re featuring Foley Park, located at 5119 Douglas Road between Belleville and Smithton. As the oldest park in the St. Clair County Parks & Recreation system, Foley Park spans 93 acres and is currently undergoing exciting improvements and updates.

The park is now open year-round from dawn to dusk and features a new 1-mile paved multi-use trail made possible through the MEPRD Parks and Trails Grant Program. This trail also connects to a 3/4-mile wooded trail that winds to the northeast end of the park.

With fishing ponds, an off-leash dog area, and open green space, Foley Park offers something for everyone. Last year, a 1/4-acre pollinator plot was planted and seeded, which will continue to grow and develop over time into valuable habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Our current featured project is a permanent disc golf course, now being tested and planned for installation this summer, giving visitors a fun new way to explore the entire park. 🌍

04/22/2026

🌎 Happy Earth Day As Our Park Series Continues! 🌿

With 5 parks and close to 800 acres in our system, today we’re featuring the largest park in the St. Clair County Parks & Recreation system — Silver Creek Preserve. At 320 acres, this preserve was once frequently flooded farmland in the Silver Creek floodplain and now serves an important role for the surrounding area.

📍 Located at 6751 Brickyard Lane in Mascoutah, Silver Creek Preserve offers a natural experience with a light footprint on the land, featuring small pavilions, interpretive kiosks, and a 1-mile paved trail. Students and local schools also use the park regularly to study wildlife and the natural environment.

Seasonal flooding can occasionally close the park for several days throughout the year, but that flooding also benefits the watershed by helping reduce some downstream impacts while rejuvenating the preserve and bringing new life to the landscape.

Silver Creek Preserve is home to a variety of plants and wildlife. Along the trail, visitors can find patches of common milkweed, an essential plant in the migratory path of the Monarch butterfly. With breeding season approaching, we’re excited to provide habitat for these winged travelers to rest and thrive.
Future plans include identifying additional nature trails throughout the preserve to further enhance the visitor experience while maintaining a minimal footprint on nature. 🌍

04/21/2026

🌎 Earth Day/Week Park Series Continues!

Today we’re highlighting Engelmann Farm, part of the St. Clair County Parks & Recreation system that our staff proudly operates and maintains year-round. Located in Shiloh, this 145-acre park features wide open fields surrounded by beautiful old woods, creating a peaceful setting for walking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying nature.

Engelmann Farm also holds an important place in our region. It was once the homestead of the Engelmann family and others who were part of the first great waves of German migrants and Latin farmers to Illinois in 1833. Some of their journeys are documented in the book "Wanderers Between Two Worlds". Their legacy helped shape the early growth of our area.

📍 Access to the park is off Shiloh Station Road, just 1/4 mile south of Shiloh’s Freedom Rock. The park was recently approved for a MEPRD Parks and Trails Grant for a trail extension. This will bring the total trail from the entrance, which also connects to the MetroBikeLink System, to just under 2.5 miles in the park.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the natural beauty of St. Clair County Parks all week long! 🌍

04/20/2026

This week, in celebration of Earth Day, we’re highlighting parks that St. Clair County Parks & Recreation operates and maintains for our community to enjoy.

Starting with St. Ellen Mine Park which is also the April host site for the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce Healthy Habits Trail Challenge!

📍 Located in the City of O’Fallon, St. Ellen Mine Park is a unique 101-acre park with a rich history. Once a former coal mining operation, the site has been transformed into scenic green space featuring grasslands, ponds, and natural habitat areas.

🚶‍♂️ The park offers just under 2 miles of paved walking trails, with connections to the St. Clair County Transit District MetroBikeLink System between Old Collinsville Road and Hartman Lane—making it a great place to walk, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors.

🔨 Future improvements include repairs and resurfacing of the parking lot and trails to continue enhancing the visitor experience.

Stay tuned all week as we continue showcasing more of the amazing parks and natural spaces we have to offer.

Happy Earth Day week! 🌍