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Best Place to Jog

Francis Park

The praises of majestic, sprawling Forest Park have often been sung, and rightly so. But when it comes to your daily jog, picturesque Francis Park, located in St. Louis Hills, gives the grand old park a, er, run for its money. It's large enough to provide a thorough workout (60 acres), but it has a decidedly cozy feel and is surrounded by well-kept brick homes and stately churches. The park's unofficial mascot, Francine the Mermaid (inspired by the statues of the People Project), keeps a watchful eye on the Lily Pond. If you overexert yourself, there are two comfort stations to get you back in the swing of things. One of the best things about Francis Park, though, is that there's no need to exhaust yourself in a vain attempt to attain the elusive "runner's high." Those fleeting moments of ecstasy pale in comparison to the sweet pleasures afforded by an ice-cold concrete confection from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, conveniently located just around the corner on Chippewa Street.