Living in the Lou: Maplewood

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Don’t let the small size of Maplewood fool you – there’s a whole lot to do here!

 

 

Maplewood is a small community of only 1.5 square miles in mid-county St. Louis. It’s a part of the “tri-city” area, including Richmond Heights and Brentwood. That means that residents of each of these three small communities can take advantage of each other’s community services. This is a really great partnership for local families!

 

Even in a community of around 8,000, Maplewood has so much to do for families. It has 13 parks with something for all ages, including playgrounds, skate parks, dog parks, and community gardens. Maplewood was the Nation’s first green dining district, with many of the restaurants utilizing sustainable practices. It also hosts the SOL Food Farmers Market each Wednesday through October. 

 

The most notable area in Maplewood is the downtown Manchester strip. This three-block row of local businesses is a part of the historic Route 66. Each day this strip is alive with visitors and families enjoying food, coffee, shopping, and yoga. This is why Small Business Saturday is such an important day to our community each year!

 

 

 

 

Ryan Hummert Park

2400 Sutton

This popular park spans 5 acres and is often full of families on any given day. The playground recently received a newly poured rubber flooring for improved fall safety. It also includes a softball field, open green space, pavilion, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and restrooms. 

 

a stroller with a coffee in the cupholder and a baby in the seat in front of a Sutton Park sign in Maplewood, MO

Sutton Loop Park

2815 Sutton

This open green space park is located on the corner of Sutton and Hazel. It includes a free community piano, pantry, restrooms, and a painted rock garden created by local children. The park is surrounded by coffee shops and other businesses, making it a popular place for families.

 

Deer Creek Park in Maplewood, MO

 

Deer Creek Park

3200 Laclede Station Rd

Lovingly referred to as “rocketship park” due to the main playground attraction. This park is the largest, spanning 11.1 acres with three pavilions, a soccer field, a baseball field, a softball field, a playground, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and restrooms on-site.

 

Kellogg Park

Circle Drive and West Point

This park is smaller at 1.15 acres but is unique as it has a dog park and community garden. It also includes a playground, pavilion, picnic tables, green space, and restrooms on-site.

 

Maplewood Roller Rink and Skate Park

2630 Bredell Ave

These facilities near the high school offer great activity spaces for older kids. The roller rink is ideal for roller skating/blading and has a professional style rink for roller hockey games. The skate park offers a variety of activities for different skill levels. This park is also located next to the Maplewood pool and library.

 

The Maplewood Public Library in Maplewood, MOMaplewood Public Library

7550 Lohmeyer Ave

One of the oldest libraries in the St. Louis area. Maplewood residents can get a free library card, and St. Louis City and County residents also have access through their cooperative lending program.

 

Maplewood Family Aquatic Center

7550 Lohmeyer Ave

Pool passes are available to residents of Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Brentwood, and Rock Hill at a discounted rate. Non-residents can also get day or seasonal passes each summer.

 

Mauhaus Cat Cafe

3101 Sutton Blvd

This coffee shop and cafe supports Stray Haven Rescue. The coffee shop is separate if you just want to enjoy a drink while looking at the cats through the windows. For a small admission fee, families can enjoy their food and drinks in the cat lounge for 1 hour, interacting with and petting the cats. This is a great rainy day activity or for when the kids are off school.

 

Artists First

7190 Manchester Rd

This studio supports people with disabilities through various art programs. On Thursdays, they have an integrated youth open studio in which kids with and without disabilities collaborate to develop artistic and social skills.

 

A brick building with a sign in the front window for Shock City School in Maplewood, MO

 

Shock City School

2743 Sutton Blvd

This music studio offers the Kindermusik program as well as private music lessons and rock band ensembles who have opportunities to play community concerts.

 

 

 

 

For a small town, Maplewood has a huge variety of cultural festivities and annual events. Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss the fun!

 

Christmas Tree Walk

Kick’s off in CNB Bank Park – 7300 Manchester Road

Annual event held the first Friday in December.

 

Sweet Tooth Tour

Annual dessert crawl event in January.

 

Coffee Crawl

Sample coffee from local roasters!

Annual event in March

 

Stringfest 

Annual music event in the spring.

 

Taste of Maplewood

Annual food festival event in the spring.

 

Art Outside

Bottleworks: 7260 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63143

Annual art festival Memorial weekend

 

Let Them Eat Art

Annual Bastille Day event in July

 

Full Moon Festival

Annual event and chili cook-off in November

 

Small Business Saturday

Annual event the Saturday after Thanksgiving

 

The Book House in Maplewood, Missouri
Chateau Maplewood Wine Bar and Wine Shop in Maplewood, MO
Bolyard’s Meat and Provisions in Maplewood, MO

 

 

 

 

If you’re hungry, Maplewood has you covered. From breakfast spots to delectable dessert eateries, there are so many options to fill your tummy all day long. Check out some of these favorites:

 

Schlafly Bottleworks

7260 Southwest Ave

 

Acero restaurant in Maplewood, MO

 

Acero

7266 Manchester Road

 

The Benevolent King

7268 Manchester Road

 

Tapped in Maplewood, Missouri

 

Tapped

7278 Manchester Road

 

Foundation Grounds

7298 Manchester Road

 

 

Asador Del Sur in Maplewood, MOAsador del Sur

7322 Manchester Road

 

Boogaloo

7344 Manchester Road

 

The Crow’s Nest

7336 Manchester Road

 

The Post

7372 Manchester Road

 

La Cosecha Coffee Roasters / Great Harvest Bread Company

7360 Manchester Road

 

Elmwood

2704 Sutton Boulevard

 

Boardwalk Waffles and Ice Cream in Maplewood, MO

Boardwalk Waffles

7376 Manchester Road

 

The Blue Duck

2661 Sutton Boulevard

 

Thai Table

7403 Manchester Road

 

Casa Maya

2726 Sutton Boulevard

 

Bolyard’s Meat and Provisions

2810 Sutton Boulevard

 

 

The Living Room

2808 Sutton Boulevard

 

C.Oliver Coffee + Flower Bar

7401 Hazel Avenue

 

C. Oliver Coffee and Flowers

 

 

Mauhaus Cat Cafe and Lounge

3101 Sutton Boulevard

 

a baby in a stroller outside of Mauhaus cat cafe in Maplewood, MO

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Haley Strebler
Haley was born and raised in small town Kansas. She moved to St. Louis after graduating from the University of Kansas to attend graduate school at Lindenwood. Her 2 year plan to live in St. Louis turned in 12 when she met her husband. They were married on home plate at Busch Stadium in 2015 and are parents to two girls, Presley (4) and Piper (7 months), Haley stared her career as a Certified Athletic Trainer working at high schools all throughout St. Louis. After returning to nursing school she was a Trauma ICU nurse for 5 years before taking on her current role as the Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Outside of work Haley blogs about local food and businesses as part of the Yelp Elite Squad, volunteers for Make-A-Wish MoKan, and loves strength training and self care. Haley considers herself a “wrangler of tiny females”. She loves raising a strong willed preschooler who both challenges and amazes her. Haley loves living in St. Louis and feels it has so much to offer to inspire children and foster creativity. You can follow her at @mamastrebs.

1 COMMENT

  1. I do love visiting Maplewood! I feel like it’s a happening place with so much to do in a smallish area.

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