While the Busch Greenway linking Missouri Research Park and the August A. Busch Conservation Area won’t “officially” open until April, area residents have already discovered this new outdoor space for running, walking and biking in St. Charles County.
Because the way-finding signage will not be installed until later this spring, it might be a little confusing when you come to a fork in the road. Here are some things you need to know before you go!
Five Miles of Paved Trail in the Busch Greenway
The Busch Greenway extension adds four miles to the existing 3/4-mile paved connector between the Katy Trail and Duckett Creek wastewater treatment facility in Missouri Research Park. The greenway now extends to the northern end of the business park where it parallels Highway 94 and connects with the existing Hamburg Trail near the intersection of Highways 94 and D, creating almost five miles of continuous paved trail!
13.1-Mile Loop to Explore and Enjoy!
The new extension also creates a 13.1-mile loop linking the Busch Greenway, Hamburg Trail, and Katy Trail between mile markers 56.7 and 52.1. Please note that the Hamburg Trail is comprised of crushed gravel, so plan your bike tire/shoe choice accordingly!
Trail Connections:
Katy Trail
The Busch Greenway has a direct connection to the Katy Trail at mile marker 52.1. You can access the Katy by traveling through Missouri Research Park to the trailhead adjacent to Duckett Creek wastewater treatment facility and following the 3/4-mile connecter to the Katy.
Hamburg Trail
The Hamburg Trail is an eight-mile crushed gravel trail that connects to the Katy Trail at mile marker 56.7. The Hamburg also connects to the new Busch Greenway trail near the intersection of Highways 94 and D. You will recognize the Busch Greenway connection when you arrive at paved roundabout encircling a newly planted rain garden.
Which Way Should I Go?
Multiple service roads, two branches of the Hamburg Trail and the Busch Greenway Trail all come together at the paved roundabout near the intersection of Highways 94 and D. Look for temporary signage identifying the different options. Hint: the Busch Greenway has paved trail; the Hamburg Trail is crushed gravel.
New Bike Repair Station Coming soon!
As soon as the ground thaws a bit, a bike repair station will be installed at the Missouri Research Park trailhead adjacent to the Duckett Creek wastewater facility. The station will include an air pump for filling tires and eight commonly used tools for bicycle maintenance. The station will help people riding bikes on the greenway meet their spur-of-the moment bicycle maintenance and repair needs. A big shout out goes to Momentum Cycles (www.momentumcycles.com) for donating the bicycle repair equipment!
Parking:
Missouri Research Park
Parking is available at the trailhead adjacent to Duckett Creek wastewater treatment facility in Missouri Research Park on Missouri Research Park Drive. Click here for a map.
Weldon Spring Conservation Area
Parking is available in the lot located on Missouri Research Park Drive in the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, near Highway 94. Click here for a map.
Highway 94 Parking Lot
Parking is available in a new lot located off Highway 94. Click here for a map.
August A. Busch Conservation Area
Parking is available at the August A. Busch Conservation located at 2360 Highway D, Defiance, MO 63341. You can walk or bike on the section of the Hamburg trail that crosses the Conservation Area (approximately 3/4-mile) to Highway D and connects to the Busch Greenway Trail. Note: The section of the Hamburg Trail between the visitors center parking lot and Highway D is crushed gravel. Click here for a map.
Source: Great Rivers Greenway
The Hamburg Trail could use some work.
It’s very rough, and has a number of muddy
sections that you have to try and get around.
Otherwise, it would be a nice loop.