Take a walk on the not-so-wild side through a scenic city park to keep in shape while waiting for spring.

Where • 2900 Benton Avenue, Granite City. It's about 4.5 miles from the McKinley Bridge. From the bridge a quick right turn onto Illinois Route 3 south to a left turn onto Broadway, which becomes Madison Avenue. Take Madison Avenue to 27th Street, left (northwest) two blocks to the park.

How long • 1.25 miles.

Surface • Asphalt.

Can be used for • Walking, bicycling.

User's notes • Even with seasonally bare trees, the walk is engaging. There's a Korean War-era fighter-bomber mounted on the northwest side near tennis courts where Jimmy Connors practiced as a child in the 1960s. The park also has Japanese gardens, songbird habitat and other gardens. Also find playgrounds, a skating rink, pool and shelters. The park is high-traffic in warmer seasons. Expect baby strollers and elderly walkers any time. A few red-tailed hawks call the park home.

Handicapped access • Yes.

Facilities • Everything. In the park or nearby.

Parking • In and near the park.

Dogs • On leash.

More information • 1-618-877-3059.

 

TRAIL NOTES

Mounds Heritage Trail

The master plan for the Mounds Heritage Trail has been completed by the Confluence Partnership. The trail is to run from Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois to points on the St. Louis Riverfront.

The trail will take in several points of historical and cultural significance and recreational resources.

The proposed Mounds Heritage Trail will be a multiuse trail for bicyclists, walkers and motor vehicles. Planners are putting together time estimates and ways to pay for the project, which would mean the cooperation of several agencies.

The master plan • Visit alturl.com/j45f2

The brochure • Visit alturl.com/jpiuy

 

Owl Prowls

Two area conservation areas will have night hikes to call and see owls this weekend. Reservations are necessary.

Where • Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood.

When • 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Reservations • 636-458-2236

Where • August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, 2360 Highway D, St. Charles.

Who • Families welcome.

When • 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday

Reservations • 636-441-4554

 

Maple sugar events

Rockwoods Reservation is having its annual maple sugar activities. Events include lessons in tapping sugar trees and processing sap into maple syrup and sugar. Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood.

Backyard maple sugaring • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

Tree tapping for families • 10 a.m. to noon Friday.

Backyard maple sugaring • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Maple sugar festival • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4. Visit the Sugar Bush to learn how to turn tree sap into syrup. 636-458-2236.