St. Charles County Parks & Recreation is currently developing two new parks that will bring the total number of properties the department operates to 15 and the total amount of acquired park land to 3,643 acres.

Veterans Tribute Park (pictured), under construction between Pitman Hill and Kisker roads, consists of 120 acres surrounded by residential development and is expected to open later this year. Highlights include a 1.6-mile walking/biking trail on the perimeter with spurs inside the park; a playground for children of all abilities with water play, music play and adventure play areas; two stocked fishing lakes; an off-leash dog park; three open-play fields; and both 100-person and 50-person picnic shelters.

The existing silo on the property is being preserved and integrated into the playground design. A boardwalk from the silo will span out into the park, allowing visitors to have a full scenic view from the top of a hill to the playground below. Initially, 90 acres of the park are being developed, with the remaining 30 acres reserved for future use.

Meanwhile, St. Charles County Parks & Recreation will kick off a soft opening of The Park at New Melle Lakes with a disc golf tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 23. The 153-acre property, formerly the New Melle Lakes Golf Course on Foristell Road near Highway Z, connects to existing properties that are being held in reserve for parkland by the department.

Only 72 spots are available for the tournament, with pre-registration required by September 19. Cost is $15 per round and includes one commemorative disc for each round, lunch and closest-to-the-pin prizes. To register, call 636-949-7535 or visit stccparks.org.

On Saturday, September 29, guests are invited back to continue the soft opening celebration, with activities including fishing on the park’s 26-acre lake, hiking and biking along 4 miles of paved trails, and more opportunities to play disc golf.