Pig's Eye Lake Park

This photo is off Pig's Eye Lake Road.

Pig's Eye Lake Park is, I believe, the largest park in St. Paul and also the least visited due to access problems. The park has been expanded to include a number of regions. The largest section is by the city's sewage treatment plant on Childs Road; just before the plant, there is a hard-to-see turn that takes one around the plant and there is a small region not marked "Private Property" or "No Trespassing" that belies the huge expanse behind it. There is another entry, almost as difficult to use, on Pig's Eye Lake Road; just past the wood exchange is a low-lying area (often a pond) with just enough space to turn a car and is adjacent to private property marked "no trespassing." The former fish hatchery lands, controlled by the DNR (which has an office next to it) has an archery range being built on the north end, just off the Sam Morgan trail at Warner Road. From Battle Creek Park, one can take the Sam Morgan trail, as well, to the east side of Pig's Eye Lake. Two more sections, completely unconnected to the others by land can be reached only from Red Rock Road; one is the very end of that road, the other is the pond/wetland on the east side of the road.

Sam Morgan Bicycle Trail

This trail sign is south of Warner Road

The Sam Morgan bicycle trail is a paved path that runs through Battle Creek Park, along Pig's Eye Lake, Warner Road and the Mississippi River, before connecting with other paths. It's popular with bicycle commuters, but relatively unknown to others.

Swede Hollow Park

This large park is easily missed, as access is limited, due to being mostly in a deep ravine. The part not containing the Bruce Vento Trail is west of Greenbrier Street and south of Beech. There is a long stairwell (13 flights) down to the rest of the park near Bates Street.

Eastview Heritage Park

Oops. Camera was set for a close-up.

This new park was created on the north side of Phalen Boulevard, south of Wells Street, betwen Arcade and Edgerton Streets (at, I think, Neid Lane, a new road). There is a picnic area, some gardens and a kiosk pointing the way to other amenities.

Payne Avenue Triangle

This small triangle is located where Payne Avenue meets North Street. A monument to fallen police officers and plantings have improved this once grassy plot.

Bruce Vento Regional Trail

This paved bicycle trail runs from where it connects to other trails near the Bruce Vento Nature Preserve, along Swede Hollow, Phalen Boulevard and Phalen Lake, then continues north to Maplewood and beyond. The prominent sign (and parking lot) is on east 7th Street at Payne Avenue.

Hamm Park

The bronze plaque on this rock was stolen.

Hamm Park (not to be confused with another park formerly with a similar name) is north of East 7th Street at Greenbrier.