Ballwin, MO

Manchester Road created Ballwin's original map and still structures the city. After the overland route between St. Louis and Jefferson City passed his property, John Ball laid out a 17-lot town beside it in 1836-1837. The plat was amended to the name Ballwin and recorded on February 9, 1837. Manchester Road later became Missouri Route 100 and remains the city's principal line of shops and businesses. Municipal recreation supplies much of Ballwin's public-space network. The city operates five parks along with The Pointe at Ballwin Commons recreation center, North Pointe Family Aquatic Center, and the Ballwin Golf Course and Events Center. Thirty-one-acre Vlasis Park combines the Government Center with a walking path, splashpad, courts, ballfield, playground, pavilions, and two ponds.

It is also the home of Ballwin Days, a volunteer-organized festival begun in 1978; the 2026 edition was scheduled for August 13-16 with concerts, carnival rides, a car show, races, fireworks, and local nonprofit booths. New Ballwin Park adds three pickleball courts, tennis and basketball space, volleyball, a playground, path, and a no-fee fishing pond stocked through an agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Ferris Park is the wooded alternative, with nature trails, outdoor fitness equipment, a recreation field, and an elevated pavilion. Holloway Park's 2023-2024 reconstruction added eight pickleball courts and a new playground beside North Pointe.