Beckemeier Conservation Area showcases nature's beauty
Beckemeier Conservation Area showcases nature's beauty
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| Rick Graefe photo/ Hikers Monica Wilson and Eric Ash of central Missouri recently explored the half-mile trail through the August G. Beckemeier Conservation Area in Chesterfield. |
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But many area residents aren't aware it exists.
Hiking the loop trail on a Wednesday afternoon in the new August G. Beckemeier Conservation Area, operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, first-time visitors Eric Ash and Monica Wilson said they were impressed with the 54 acres.The tract is off Olive Boulevard between Ladue and Hog Hollow roads.
People hiking a little ways from the road lose the noise of traffic on Olive and hear only birds, like indigo buntings, great crested flycatchers, cedar waxwings, wood peewees and red-bellied woodpeckers.
They can see wild turkey, deer and coyotes, as well as plenty of native Missouri wildflowers, like dutchman's breeches, white and red trilliums, spring beauty, mayapple, bloodroot, toothwort and violet wood sorrel, as well as large oak, hickory, ash and basswood trees.
"We're visiting from the Lake of the Ozarks area, and a friend told us about this place after having been down here," Wilson said.
"I like all the scenery. I love it here."
Ash agreed.
"The views are great," he said. "We've seen turkey and deer."
"And a raccoon close to the bottom of the trail," Wilson added.
Erin Shank, an urban wildlife biologist with the conservation department, pointed out views of the Missouri River from bluffs overlooking it.
"Not many people know this is here yet," she said.
A driveway to the parking lot, off Olive, doesn't have a sign yet, though one is forthcoming in about a month or so, Shank said.
In the small parking lot, for about seven vehicles, a sign welcomes visitors, noting the property's donation by the late Fred and Minna Waldmann in honor of Minna's dad, August G. Beckemeier.
"Minna wanted to keep the area in its natural state," Shank said, adding the trail won't even be mowed until after ground-nesting birds have finished nesting.
"It's being managed for passive use," she said. "People can get into the woods and get away without having to leave St. Louis County."
Walking past a picnic table, Shank said there's similar bench seating going in at the bottom of the trail, near a stream, with turtles, frogs and snakes.
"AmerenUE, Missouri American Water Company and the World Bird Sanctuary have even put up an artificial eagles' nest box on these flats," she said.
"The area is great for those who like to see the diversity of songbirds, especially during their spring migrations," she said.
The facility officially opened this month, though the parking lot and trail were installed in the fall of last year.
"We've had a little use of the property, but many people don't know what this is," Shank said.
The area presents some challenges.
"Our biggest is managing the non-native bush honeysuckle," she said. "We've had groups of volunteers out here chopping it back.
"We're extremely grateful for Minna's donation," Shank said. "She embodied our vision to conserve Missouri natural resources. Especially in St. Louis County, we need to take care of what's left."
Chesterfield Mayor John Nations agreed the area will be a wonderful resource.
"It's a tribute to Minna's vision and her concern for the heritage of her family that the area should remain in its natural state to be enjoyed for generations," Nations said.
"It's wonderful that people can access and see views of the Missouri River and bottoms not available elsewhere," he said.
"People were drawn to the Chesterfield area centuries ago to enjoy the rolling hills and be near the river, and this area preserves the beauty our ancestors found," Nations said.
Minna Waldmann lived on the property all her life, said Alice Fugate, chairperson of the Chesterfield Landmarks Preservation Commission.
"We're pleased the property is being preserved as a legacy to Minna and her father," she said.
Still, the property has been cleaned up.
"In April, volunteers from the Operation Wild Land group, run by the Open Space Council, had a work day here, a large litter pickup," Shank said.
"There were pieces of tin roof, old cars and more items - some things had blown in off Olive," she said.
Shank said conservation department officials hope to maintain everything as is, "about what it looked like when Minna played here as a little girl."
Almost.
"Minna's husband, Fred, raised peacocks here, but we haven't seen any of those birds left over," Shank said, smiling, adding that some people still refer to the area as "Peacock Farm."
"We hope we get more visitors once the sign on Olive goes up," she said. "We're open to the public, though this is not a manicured park. It benefits wildlife.
"This is a place where animals and people can get away from all the noise and construction and find some peace and quiet," she said.
You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.
August G. Beckemeier Conservation Area
? Location: 14415 Olive Blvd., between Hog Hollow and Ladue roads, in Chesterfield.
? Operated by: the Missouri Department of Conservation since 1996.
? Size: 54 acres.
? Features: a half-mile, mowed trail, part of it steep, loops through the area, giving wintertime views of the Missouri River valley.
? Recreational opportunities: bird watching, hiking, photography, wildlife viewing
? Hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
? Banned: Bicycling, horseback riding, camping, target shooting, capture of wildlife, open fires and fireworks.
? Vehicles: are allowed in the parking area only.
? Dogs: must be leashed at all times.
? Also: not handicapped-accesssible
? Call: (314) 301-1500
? Web site: www.mdc.mo.gov and click on conservation areas.
Property history
August G. Beckemeier bought the original 135-acre tract and a house on the property in 1905. The house was razed more than a year ago by the state.
Beckemeier died at age 90 in 1957, but shortly before that, he discussed with his doctor, Dr. William McGuire, how best to preserve his property when he was gone. McGuire suggested he give it to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Upon Beckemeier's death, the property was divided between his three children: Rudolph Beckemeier, who died in 1966; Elsa Hoechst, who died in 1997; and Minna Waldmann, who continued to live in the house on about four of the acres, set aside under a lifetime-rights agreement with the state, until shortly before her death in 2002.
Minna promised her father to ultimately will the land to the state. However, for many years after Minna married Fred Albert Waldmann in 1940, those driving by the property would see and hear the peacocks Fred raised. After Fred died in 1996, Minna had the property, which had been appraised at $2.5 million, transferred to the Missouri Conservation Commission.
Minna was honored as Chesterfield's 1997 Citizen of the Year.
(Information courtesy of Dan Rothwell, Chesterfield Heritage Foundation.)
