09/19/2026
Friends of Willmore Park had a great day with Volunteers at the park this morning. About 10 participants/volunteers joined us for a Guided Nature Walk and a Trash Pick Up in the park.
Our Nature Walk included talks on the new wildflower beds and the nearby bald cypress trees.
Kalo from Pretty City Gardens and Landscapes talked to us about the wildflowers. We observed up close the wildflowers and learned how they benefit wildlife, how deep their roots grow, and how long they might be alive. We also tasted some of the mint plants!!! (Pretty City Gardens and Landscapes designed and planted, along with volunteer help, the two wildflower beds in the park.)
Jimmy from the City Forestry Dept. talked to us about the patch of Bald Cypress trees growing near the wildflowers. We learned about their native range, which has moved north from Southeast Missouri. We learned that Bald Cypress trees contain male and female parts, and found those on the tree. We learned about their love of water, their ability to survive dry temperatures, and we learned to identify their “knees.” Jimmy also provided a good talk about the history of the watershed of River des Peres.
Our audience included about 5 young people, ages 8-12, and their moms We were very happy to provide them this real-life, up-close look at nature.
Thank you Kalo and thank you, Jimmy!!!
We also picked up about 4 bags of litter in the park - about 1,000 pieces!!!
We’ll be back next year!
Before then, please come hang out with us and plant some wildflowers on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10am-1pm. We’ll plant our third wildflower patch in the park on this day.
best,
Friends of Willmore Park
