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Community Corner

7 Things To Do Before Summer Ends

Summer isn't officially over until September, but school starts in about three weeks. Here are seven things to do in and around Hazelwood that'll help your family make the most of the rest of the season.

For Hazelwood families, summer will be over soon—despite the scorching temperatures. Students in the Hazelwood district will

Now's the time to grab last minute summer fun. Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 90s for the next few weeks, but after highs of 105+, a 95 degree day may seem perfect for a walk in the park.

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Here are a few ideas on how to squeeze the last bits off fun out of your kid’s summer break, some in Hazelwood and some in the Greater St. Louis area.

Hit a park: Kids love playgrounds and the summer heat has been keeping a lot of children tucked away in their basements playing video games. If you still think it’s too hot, try going in the early morning or late evening hours. Try one of these parks with great playgrounds: , or

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Take a drive and take a hike: Castlewood State Park in smack in the middle of West County. The three mile River Scene Trail has a steep incline to start, but the views and board walk steps are way too much fun to miss.

Go for a swim: You don’t need a backyard pool! Go to the  pool  and get to know your neighbors.

Go for a wild water slide ride: If you haven’t already, head over to Eureka and visit Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.

Play tourist: Take the kids downtown and visit the “tourist” sites. Ride the tram to the top of the Arch, take a riverboat cruise, or visit the free CityGarden sculpture park. City Museum is another fun city trip, but give that place a whole day.

Get back to the Farm: Little kids love Grant's Farm. Admission is only $12 a car, plus mom and dad can have a few beers for free. If your family cycles, you can bring your bikes to Grant’s Trail and stop by Grant’s Farm for free. (Yes, they have a bike rack.)

See a sea lion: The St. Louis Zoo added an awesome new sea lion habitat that opened in June. Any kid that likes animals will want to visit. Head to the zoo by 8 a.m. to nab some free street parking and a free admission to the Children Zoo during the first hour the zoo is open.

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