A Mom’s Guide to The Best Des Moines Parks

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boy on swing at park. Des Moines Parks guide

Looking for the best parks in Des Moines? We’ve got you covered!

There are so many parks to explore and play at in Des Moines! If you’re not sure where to start, we picked our favorite parks in every part of the metro. Special features, inclusive playgrounds, walking trails, spray grounds, and more… this guide has it all! We hope this helps you get out and explore parks in Des Moines!

Ashley Okland Star Playground at Ewing Park

The Ashley Okland Star Playground is an all-inclusive playground located within Ewing Park on the southeast side of Des Moines. It features more than 50 unique play elements, featuring adaptive playground equipment for kids who have special needs. (Ewing Park is Des Moines’ largest park with two open-air shelters, disc golf course, trail, pond, lilac arboretum, Children’s Forest, and lots of shade!)

✔️ All-inclusive playground
✔️ Open-air shelters
✔️ Rubber surfacing
✔️ Bathroom

ashley okland star park des moines

Union Park

This beloved “rocketship” park has been entertaining families for generations (slide is under repairs with anticipated 2024 reopening). It also includes a free children’s water play area with zero depth entry and water features, basketball and tennis courts, two enclosed shelters, one open-air shelter, a playground and the kicker: the historic Heritage Carousel. With only a 50-cent admission, this will sure to be on your family’s must-visit list, too. 

✔️ Playground, wood chips
✔️ Parking lot
✔️ Spray ground
✔️ Bathrooms and drinking fountain
✔️ Open shelter

Union park Des Moines parks guide

Evergreen Park

This newly updated park includes a playground, shelter, futsal court, and updated basketball court, and an updated parking lot.

✔️ Playground
✔️ Street parking
✔️ Wood chips
✔️ No bathroom
✔️ No curbs

 

Evergreen park Des Moines

Riverview Park

This park has an amusement park theme and is on the North side of Des Moines, near North High School. Kids can climb on a ferris wheel, ride bumper cars, climb a roller coaster track, and more. It also has an outdoor music venue and walking loop. 

✔️ All-inclusive playground
✔️ Parking Lot
✔️ Portapotty 
✔️ Rubber surfacing
✔️ No curbs

Riverview Park Des Moines

Stewart Square Park

Conveniently located near the Capitol downtown this park is a fun place to stop and play before exploring the Capitol grounds. 

✔️ Playground
✔️ Drinking fountain, picnic tables
✔️ Street parking
✔️ Wood chips
✔️ No curbs

Stewart park Des Moines

Whitmer Park

Located right off the East Sixth Street exit, stop at this park before heading to the East Village. 

✔️ Playground
✔️ Picnic tables, open shelter
✔️ Street parking
✔️ Wood chips
✔️ No curbs

Whitmer Park Des Moines

Witmer Park

This neighborhood park is near Drake University. It is especially lovely in the fall. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Pickleball + tennis Courts
✔️ Pond and fishing dock
✔️ Walking path
✔️ Picnic tables + shelter

witmer park west side des moines mom

Ashby Park

This Beaverdale park is a local favorite with its water area, 2 playgrounds, shelter, and nature trails. There’s something for all ages as well as nice shade trees. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Tennis Courts
✔️ Splash pool
✔️ Nature trail
✔️ Drinking fountain
✔️ Bathrooms
✔️ Picnic tables + shelter

Ashby Park Des Moines West

Reichardt Family Natural Play Area at Water Works Park

Be sure to check out this natural playscape if you’re walking the trail at Gray’s Lake (there’s a tunnel to walk under Fleur Drive) or exploring Water Works Park. Kids love climbing and balancing on the logs.

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Bike trail
✔️ Drinking fountain
✔️ Bathrooms
✔️ Wood chips

Reichardt Family Natural Play Area at Water Works Park Des Moines Mom

Westchester Park

Located off NW Aurora Ave, and near Hoover High School offers nice shade and a picnic area. 

✔️ Playground with wood chips
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Drinking fountain
✔️ Portable restroom
✔️ Picnic tables + shelter

Westchester Park Des Moines West Side

Greenwood Park

Tucked south of Grand Ave and behind the Des Moines Art Center, this park is a gem! The park and sprayground are at the top of a big hill (drive up to the parking lot). The pond below has a nice walking trail and beautiful views in the spring and fall. 

✔️ Playground with wood chips
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Sprayground
✔️ Nature trail
✔️ Bathrooms
✔️ Picnic tables + shelter

Greenwood Park Des Moines West Side

Ankeny Library Playground

Make sure to check out this fun park next time you’re at the Ankney Public Library. Its interactive arch is a hit with kids!  

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ All-inclusive elements
✔️ Bathroom inside the library

Kirkendall library playground Ankeny

Miracle Park

Plan to spend a lot of time at this all-inclusive playground! It’s the largest playground in Ankeny and features roller tables, sway gliders, a sensory play center, and an omni spinner. There is limited shade at this park, so it’s best for cool, cloudy days. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Parking lot
✔️ All-inclusive elements
✔️ Bathroom + drinking fountain
✔️ Picnic shelter + tables

Miracle Park Ankeny

Deer Creek Park

A zipline is the main draw at this neighborhood park. 

✔️ Wood chips
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Shelter + picnic tables
✔️ Port-a-potty + drinking fountain
✔️ Basketball court

Deer Creek Park Ankeny

Centennial Park

If your kids love to climb, this is a great park for them!

✔️ Playground with wood chips

✔️ Parking lot

✔️ Port-a-potty

✔️ Basketball court

Centennial Park Ankeny

Dean Park

This neighborhood park is in the Prairie Trail of Ankeny. There is a climbing wall and a paved trail around the park. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surfacing

✔️ Shelter

✔️ Basketball court

✔️ Splashpad

Dean Park Ankeny

Alice Nizzi Park

This park is known for its spaghetti and meatball theme and fun climbing structures. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface
✔️ Off-street parking
✔️ Paved trail around play area
✔️ Limited shade

Alice Nizzi Park Waukee

Glynn Village Park

This neighborhood park is great for big kids with its connecting towers and large slides, climbing features, and nature themed play area. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface

✔️ Off-street parking

✔️ Benches

✔️ Drinking fountain

Glynn Village Park Waukee

Triumph Park

This park is BIG but it can be really busy. There are structures for toddlers up to the biggest kid as well as mobility device access at various levels. Multiple slides offer various heights, angles, and levels of difficulty to reach the tops. There are also several obstacle course-style areas and multiple climbing areas. There are endless opportunities for play. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface

✔️ Parking lot

✔️ All-inclusive elements

✔️ Bathrooms with cooling zone

✔️ Shaded picnic tables

Read our full review here

Triumph Park Waukee

Westown Meadows Park

This modern neighborhood park has a little bit of everything. There are a few water bubblers/sprayers, playground, and a paved trail. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface

✔️ Off-street parking

✔️ Sprayground 

✔️ Shaded picnic tables

✔️ Bathrooms

✔️ Bathroom inside the library

Westown Meadows Park Waukee

Sugar Creek Park

This neighborhood park has lots of climbing and high slides. It is near Sugar Creek Elementary School. 

✔️ Playground with rubber surface

✔️ Off-street parking

✔️ Shelter

✔️ Pickleball courts

Sugar Creek Park Waukee

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