Do it like the monkeys

Rosemary Ladd
For the Alestle

It is simple, free and full of surprises. Here are a few tips to make Forest Park the place to be while enjoying this great spring weather.

If possible, go during the week. Crowds are minimal through the week and parking is no problem.

If weekdays are out of the question, get to the park early on weekends. Do not use the Hampton Avenue entrance. Most of St. Louis uses Hampton off the U.S. Highway 40 entrance. This creates an unbelievable traffic jam around the zoo and Art Hill. Avoid this entrance at all costs.

Those in the know use the Union Boulevard entrance on Lindell.

There are enough roadways, turns and diverse drives to keep the traffic moving and visitors to the park smiling.

Plan on walking a bit farther than those waiting a parking space close to the zoo. Remind yourself that parks are for enjoying nature and solitude.

The area of Forest Park offering the most relaxing and visually hypnotic atmosphere is located along Kingshighway .

Students of Washington University are regulars of this area. Quiet conversations around the cypress-lined lake range from physics and the new math to where is the best place to get your dog clipped. Many canine owners in the area walk their dogs in this section of Forest Park.

There is also a hard path for rollerblading and bicycles, as well as a soft path for walking. This area of the park is currently undergoing improvements to make the area more accessible to the disabled nature lover.

For anyone with children, the zoo is where it is at.

Strollers that look like they were made from recliners line the walkways. Parents and grandparents keep their young amazed with the sights at the zoo.

The longest line of young and old can be found along the great walk through the 1904 Flight Cage. This fantastic aviary was built for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. Visitors can walk among the free-flying birds, watch flamingos and listen to songbirds from all over America. Get to the Flight Cage early. People take their time at this exhibit and the children seem to love it.

For great photo opportunities, go to the site of the Muny Opera. Groups go to this beautifully sculpted temple of music almost every weekend to take advantage of the architecture as backdrops for photo shoots.

Art Hill and the St. Louis Art Museum are popular spots in the park.

To save the time and hassle of trying to beat someone for a parking spot, take advantage of the Metrolink.

The Metrolink has stops for both Forest Park and the Central West End. From there take the Forest Park shuttle Bug to the zoo's Kiener Memorial Entrance.

Bi-State also goes to the Park.

For more information, contact the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission at (314) 421-1023.

A complete database for Forest Park and other St. Louis sights, activities and sounds can be found at http://stlouis.missouri. org/citygov/parks or www.explorestlouis.com.