On May 11, 2012, I had the opportunity to attend the St. Charles County Parks Department’s dedication ceremony for Towne Park, located on Highway 61, several miles north of Interstate 70. The theme of the park is History … Nature … Education. I was quite impressed. 

The land was originally owned by the Boyd family in the 1830’s. Ruth Boyd and her 11 children farmed the land and had the plantation homestead built in 1828. This 109-acre site—formerly known as the “Pink Plantation”—has a rich history in St. Charles County.  The house and land was donated by the late Mrs. Betty Towne. Following a devastating fire in 2004 that destroyed the home, restoration is underway. Much of the original brick, foundation stone, shutter hardware and other materials were salvaged from the original home and reused in the reconstruction. The former Boyd plantation is being restored as a museum to honor the agricultural and natural history of the region.

An opportunity then arose to expand Phase One Development and include a Nature Explore Classroom. St. Charles County Parks wanted to provide children with a rare and educational “nature play area” to learn, discover and explore. This outdoor classroom connects children with the natural world as a regular part of their healthy growth and development.

Towne Park is open to the public and includes a playground, picnic shelters, fishing ponds and nearly two miles of park trails for hiking and biking. I encourage everyone to visit Towne Park to see that your tax dollars are once again adding to the quality of life for you in St. Charles County.

Len Pagano
St. Peters Mayor