All Entries Tagged With: "natural wonders"

The Gardens of NoCo: Kuhs Estate & Farm

Among North County's historical river bluff estates, none is more enchanting than Kuhs Farm, which will be featured May 20 on the Spanish Lake Garden Tour.

Last year, I got a surprise phone call from an old colleague. She’s a talented photographer who works with a lot of big magazines, and she called to say that not only was she in North County (a rarity for her) but she was standing in “the most beautiful place in St. Louis.” Giddy with excitement, she talked about sunken gardens and a sprawling rock grotto with a magnificent river view, and I knew instantly where she had to be: Kuhs Farm in Spanish Lake.

This little slice of paradise is indeed one of the coolest places around, a natural wonderland with a touch of whimsy. And yes, it is right here in North County. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer has the full story on this fabulous hidden gem, including details on how YOU can visit…

Elizabeth Parker knows she is one fortunate lady. She has the privilege to live on 150 acres that have been in her family since the 1920s, in a house her great-grandfather built. She shares it with a menagerie of animals, big and small, with plenty of fresh air, great views and a commute that involves only walking out her front door.

But it’s not just the fact that her farm has family ties or a peaceful country setting that makes it a privilege to live there; the land has a history all its own. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, it was later used for supply storage for the Lewis and Clark expedition, then eventually provided a home for the the Fugate and Carrico Cemetery and the Wiese Dairy farm.

Elizabeth’s great grandfather, Edward L. Kuhs, purchased the Wiese Dairy farm on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River in 1925. As a surprise for his ailing wife, Rose, he built a rambling country home there, then over the course of seven years, constructed a sunken ‘Rockery Garden’ in a gully for her to enjoy. But Rose wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the unique grotto and surrounding gardens. She and Edward shared them openly and welcomed up to 10,000 visitors a year.

A 1939 St. Louis Globe Democrat article describes the sunken gardens as one of the “showpieces of the area.” Lighted waterfalls spilled over stone terraces into large lily pools, while hundreds of flowers and dozens of trees lined the rock terraces. Today, though the gardens are currently under restoration, many of the original plants are still there, including majestic oak specimens (Quercus spp.), cucumber magnolias (Magnolia acuminata), and peonies.

What made the gardens so unique in the 30s was not just the plants, terraces or river views, but the elaborate mercury lighting system that was set up to flood the sunken garden area, mimicking moonlight by using different colored filters. The gardens and the light system were featured in a Union Electric Magazine article in 1931. Elizabeth remembers that the effect was magical, and she’s very close to repairing the innovative system.

Under her guidance, Kuhs Farm is fast becoming a coveted wedding and event venue. With so many areas full of natural beauty, there are plenty of scenic spots to choose from. The upper loft area of the barn has a rustic yet enchanted atmosphere with massive wood beams, white curtains and tiny white lights. A mature oak in the middle of a natural amphitheater-like swale offers a simple yet majestic and elegant space. The gazebo or stone patio area overlooking the river offers a totally different feel.

One couple was so inspired by the area after their wedding at Kuhs, they ended up purchasing a neighboring property for their new home together!

These days, Elizabeth is actively trying to restore the sunken gardens along with the original greenhouse. Her two children, an army of friends and even strangers have volunteered time to help repair and restore the gardens, buildings and equipment since Elizabeth acquired the property. They have donated materials as well as personal time repairing tractors, tilling soil, feeding and caring for the animals, removing stumps…there is always something to do.

The outpouring of help is what is so inspiring to Elizabeth. She and all her volunteers are mesmerized by the magic of the land and the way of life it has shown all who visit or come to help. Elizabeth and her friends have coined the term ‘Accidental Farmers’ to help describe how the farm has inspired and changed their lives when they least expected it.

Her next big project is the new veggie garden, and Kuhs will be hosting a ‘Farm to Table’ dinner in September with food grown right on the farm. The 40 x 80 garden will not only have raised beds for food, but a plow area for demonstrations.

And let’s not forget: this is also working farm with chickens, ducks, geese, goats, horses and pigs. The historic 1800s dairy barn is the home of Crimson Sun Stables, which shelters rescued horses, including “Her Own Storm,” the great-great-granddaughter of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Elizabeth saved the horse from the slaughterhouse and rehabilitated it.

An animal lover who also has an enormous sense of stewardship for the land and its history, she takes great pride in the Spanish Lake community. And like her great-grandparents, Edward & Rose, she will be sharing her beautiful Kuhs Farm with the public by taking part in the Spanish Lake Garden Tour, May 20th.

It will be the first time in 30 years that the Kuhs estate has opened its doors. You do not want to miss this!!

The 2012 Spanish Lake Garden Tour & Plant Sale is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th, from 11am-4pm. TICKETS: $15/person day of tour at the Twillman House, 11840 Bellefontaine Road, $10 in advance at Miller’s Auto Service, 12300 Bellefontaine Road, or mail check payable to Spanish Lake Community Association at: SLCA, P.O. Box 372082, Spanish Lake, MO 63138

The Kuhs estate is one of nine residential gardens & three community gardens you can visit on the tour. The plant sale features plants from the gardens on the tour and annuals from the locally owned (for three generations) Windy Hill Farm and Greenhouses.

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Jo Batzer has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. She lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs, and is also available for private garden consultations through her company, JB Design.

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Celebrate Earth Day at Little Creek Nature Area

Come visit Little Creek Nature Area on April 21 and help to plant trees.

FROM THE NEWS WIRE:

The public is invited to celebrate Earth Day by exploring the wonders of Little Creek Nature Area on April 21.

Little Creek Nature Area is a unique outdoor classroom that offers hands-on science education to more than 11,000 students and several thousand North County community members each year. It consists of 96-acres of prairie, farm and forest land owned and operated by the Ferguson- Florissant School District.

Little Creek’s Earth Day celebration is chock full of adventure for nature lovers. Participants’ first stop is to check-in at the high school building at Little Creek for pastries and coffee before enjoying all or a few of the morning activities. The celebration schedule includes the following:

• 7 to 8am     Jog up to five nature trails or bird watch
• 10am to noon      Walk the trails
• 8am to noon      Plant trees, pull honeysuckle and help tend the gardens

“Our Earth Day celebration gives us a unique opportunity to share all that Little Creek has to offer with the community. Most people wouldn’t expect to find a “natural treasure chest” in the middle of a bustling city, but here we are,” said Eric Hadley, science and Little Creek coordinator, of the area surrounded by urban development.

“We have winding creeks and beautiful ponds. We have prairie, farm and forest land. We are the home to countless living creatures. We even have hiking trails. You can‟t help but feel a sense of peace, calm and connection with the earth when you visit. Everything at Little Creek points to nature, even the names of our landmarks,” he said. That explains why Little Creek‟s newest addition, Discovery Pond, is in good company with bridges named “Raccoon,” “Rabbit” and “Turkey” just around the bend.

“We‟re inviting everyone to come enjoy nature with us,” Hadley said. Those interested in participating should RSVP by April 19 at bstephenson@fergflor.org

Little Creek Nature Area is located at 2295 Dunn Road, 63033.

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Just in case you missed Eagle Days…

As if you need a good excuse to visit beautiful Fort Belle Fontaine, St. Louis County Parks has planned a whole day of eagle-related activities. Come out this Saturday from 11am to 2pm and you’ll not only spot Bald Eagles in the trees near the river, but you can also view one of these majestic birds up close…

Fort Belle Fontaine Park is located @ 13002 Bellefontaine Road, 63138. Admission to this event is free.

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Eagle Days returns to Chain of Rocks this weekend

FROM THE NEWS WIRE:

View eagles in your own backyard!

Residents of the bi-state area are invited to view bald eagles this January at Eagle Days – a free public program at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. During the winter, the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles, who are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The Chain of Rocks rapids to the south of the Bridge are ideal fishing grounds.

From the Bridge, an ideal viewing platform, visitors can watch eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead or roosting in nearby trees.

Additional Eagle Days Programming Includes:

Live Eagle Educational Program
By the Wild Bird Sanctuary, repeated every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 2:40 p.m.

Eagle Viewing
Scopes at the center of the bridge are staffed by trained volunteers to help you view eagles diving for fish, roosting in the trees along the banks of the Mississippi, and soaring over the bridge.

Eagle Nest Replica
This full-size eagle’s nest is a great photo opportunity!

Warming Tent Activities
Hands-on art activities for children facilitated by Green Center (Saturday) and the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden (Sunday).

Living History Demonstrations
Lewis and Clark re-enactors from the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri and the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. Don’t miss the raising and lowering of the flag at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Missouri Bridge entrance!

St. Louis Audubon Display
Featuring hands-on exhibits of local birds courtesy of the St. Louis Audubon Society.

The Confluence Partnership Display
Learn about the history and importance of The Confluence region and America’s Great Rivers.

Refreshments
Ed’s Food will be serving hot dogs, chicken strips, shish kabobs, egg rolls, crab rangoon, hot cocoa, lemonade, soda, and water.

Things to Bring:

• Binoculars
• Very warm clothes including a hat and gloves
• Camera
• Comfortable Shoes (It is about a 1/2-mile walk to the eagle scopes and additional Eagle Days programming, both located at the middle of the Bridge.)
• Cash (Eagle Days is free but select parking lots and food vendors will only accept cash)
• Curiosity

Please Leave at Home:

• Your dog Fluffy or any other pets

Parking:
Free parking is available at two satellite lots in Missouri, the St. Louis Welcome Center at Riverview Drive and I-270 and North Riverfront Park, off of Riverview Drive south of the waterworks. A free shuttle will be available from both locations. Free parking is also available at the Illinois Bridge entrance. Parking at the Missouri Bridge entrance costs $5.

Volunteers:
If you are interested in volunteering for Eagle Days, please contact Jamilia Harris at 314-877-1309 or jamilia.harris@mdc.mo.gov.

Sponsors:
Dana Brown Charitable Trust
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Edward Jones
Great Rivers Greenway
Illinois Conservation Foundation
Metro East Parks and Recreation District
Pettus Foundation
Missouri American Water
Cargill
America’s Central Port
ConocoPhillips

Additional Support:
Chipotle
City of Madison, IL
Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, MO
EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Katy Bike Rental
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
Marshall Scott Enterprises
Mostly Bikes, LLS
Pei Wei Asian Diner (Ladue & Creve Coeur)
St. Louis Audubon Society
Starbucks
Sweet Tomatoes (Creve Coeur & Crestwood)
The Green Center
The Pasta House Company
World Bird Sanctuary

A big thank you to all our volunteers. This event would not be possible without your help.

Produced by:

For more information on Eagle Days call 314.436.1324 x117 or e-mail charles@trailnet.org.

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