The Fugitive Beach

"Abandoned rock quarries have long been playgrounds for kids growing up in the country. But Mark Kearse has taken the quarry at the Fugitive Beach to a whole new level. Close your eyes for a minute, then open them, blocking out the pickups, empty barrrels and plywood signs on the hill. Look at the bright blue water, the tiki bar, the sand beaches. The Fugitive Beach opened last year when former police chief Kearse decided to turn it into a tourist stop, not to mention a perfect getaway for locals. Over winter, they drained the quarry, removing all fish and pointed rocks. For the most part, the bottom of the quarry feels like sand, though swim shoes are recommended. The huge beach features a kiddie slide and shallow kids play area, a 60-foot slide for bigger kids and two diving platforms of 15 and 20 feet. A rental place offers life jackets (everyone 10 and under must wear one), kayaks, floating devices and toys. Ricky Bobby’s Bar serves beverages and burgers. This area is also supposed to be the smokers’ area, though I’ll admit we saw lots of people smoking on the beach. If you are planning to stay a while, rent a covered cabana with cushioned chairs ($50). They are quite large and worth it to avoid crowding and sunburns. Most quarries I’ve seen aren’t sea blue. This one isn’t naturally so. They have added a safe pond dye to make it look pretty. Don’t worry, it doesn’t turn your suits or skin blue. Also, though no lifeguards are on duty, plenty of workers can assist and answer questions." -STL Today