Saint Charles City Parks And Recreation

The idea to establish a public park system in the City of Saint Charles was conceived on July 2, 1914. This occurred when a group of citizens petitioned the City Council to place a bond referendum before the voters, in the amount of $90,000 to acquire a public park. The land in question was a 42 acre track commonly known as the "Saint Charles County Fair Grounds," which had been put up for sale. The official name for this property was the "Saint Charles County Driving Park and Fair Association", so named in 1890 when stock certificates were sold for $10.00 each. From 1875 until that time the land was privately owned and called Mittleberger Park. During these periods the property was used as a track and fairgrounds for the racing of horses, dogs, bicycles and other exhibitions.