
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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
