Tour Des Moines: Playgrounds

04/24/2024

Winterset City Park: boasts lots of history and fun spaces to play, including this second playground across the park from the new Play for ALL playground
• play equipment all ages can enjoy
• baby + big kid swings
• wooden mulch ground cover
• large shade trees surrounding
• benches available
• large picnic pavilion
• multiple bathrooms + drinking fountains
• several cute wood carvings throughout the park
• access to trails
• hedge maze
• multiple Bocce Ball courts
• historical Bennett Cabin
• Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
• road + trail access to Clark Tower which provides beautiful panoramic views of Madison County!
• lots of parking available
• 📍Address: 300 South 9th Street, Winterset
• Added Bonus: the Play for ALL all-inclusive playground is just on the other side of the park!

04/23/2024

Play for ALL - Winterset playground: in the Winterset City Park is an amazing, Clark Tower + covered bridge-themed, all-inclusive playground that will keep the kids (& you!) busy for hours!
• all-inclusive play equipment for all ages + abilities to enjoy
• baby + big kid + inclusive + expression swings, in addition to a zip-line + inclusive zip-line swing
• faux grass turf ground cover
• many ground-level interactive features + sensory panels
• accessible musical elements
• roller slide, inclusive see-saw, Rock With Me glider, + Inclusive Whirl
• large shade trees surrounding
• benches throughout the park
• large picnic pavilions + additional picnic tables line the playground space
• bathrooms, including one with a universal changing table, + drinking fountains
• several cute wood carvings throughout the park
• access to trails
• hedge maze nearby
• multiple Bocce Ball courts
• historical Bennett Cabin
• Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
• road + trail access to Clark Tower which provides beautiful panoramic views of Madison County!
• lots of parking available
• 📍Address: 300 South 9th Street, Winterset
• Added Bonus: a separate, smaller playground is just on the other side of the park!

04/15/2024

James Cownie Baseball Park Playground: is small but perfectly entertaining if you’re spending an afternoon at the ball fields!
• smaller playground great for little kids
• no swings
• wooden mulch ground cover
• lawn space for play
• completely fenced in playground space
• picnic pavilion with several picnic tables
• access to bike path
• restrooms + drinking fountain
• off street parking lot
•📍Address: 2501 SE 22nd St, Des Moines

04/13/2024

Easter Lake Park Shelter 5 Playground: has been updated as well and looks great!
• inclusive playground equipment geared more towards smaller kiddos
• no swings
• Rock’n Ship Glider with ramp access
• several ground-level interactive features + sensory panels
• accessible musical elements
• wooden mulch ground cover
• access to trails
• shade canopy over equipment + shade trees around the playground
• several benches + picnic tables
• picnic shelter with tables nearby
• bathrooms + drinking fountain
• parking available
•📍Address: 2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines
• Worth Noting: Easter Lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including multiple picnic areas, hiking trails, beach access, fishing, and boat ramps. For more info please click link in

04/12/2024

Easter Lake Park Shelter 1 Playground: is newly updated and WOW!
• inclusive playground equipment for kids of all ages to enjoy
• several unique climbing features
• zip-line + inclusive zip-line swing available
• quite a few ground-level interactive features + sensory panels
• accessible musical elements
• wooden mulch ground cover
• access to trails
• shade canopies over equipment + shade trees surrounding the playground
• several benches + picnic tables
• picnic shelter with lots of tables in close proximity to playground
• bathrooms nearby
• lots of parking available
•📍Address: 3112 E Titus Ave, Des Moines
• Worth Noting: Easter Lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including multiple picnic areas, hiking trails, beach access, fishing, and boat ramps. For more info please click link in

04/05/2024

Well this should be fun! 😃

A new vibrant activation is on its way to !

Impulse by CS Design & Lateral Office, an interactive work comprised of oversized seesaws of various sizes with lighting and sound, will be installed at Cowles Commons beginning on Thursday, April 18 and be available to the public until Sunday, May 19.

The activation is a joint endeavor between Des Moines Performing Arts and Operation Downtown, in partnership with the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Learn more about the activation: https://ow.ly/gGFO50R7U6t.

03/16/2024

A happy ending to an otherwise sad situation (remember when the equipment was burned down last year?!) Can’t wait for the new Stonegate Park playground! 💙

Clive City Council approves nearly $300,000 of playground equipment for destroyed Stonegate Park https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/clive-iowa-stonegate-park-playground-fire-arson-city-council-funding-money-updates/524-4e22f450-8d8d-47df-a4df-99728cb8f560?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_We_Are_Iowa_Local_5_News

03/05/2024

With warmer temps come new places to explore 😍 And we can’t wait to check out the brand new, all-inclusive Play for ALL - Winterset playground!

It didn’t take long for everyone to notice that the playground is now open!🤩

Thanks to Winterset Parks and Recreation and the Rotary Club of Winterset for the public/private partnership to bring this project to our community!

Thank you to those who donated, fundraised, and worked behind the scenes to secure grant funds!

We would like to invite everyone to our GRAND OPENING on Saturday April 6th, consisting of a short program, Official Ribbon Cutting and free hotdogs/chips (while supplies last) and Free facepainting!!!

Yes, this is Iowa, and this is still Winter, so the restrooms are winterized and not open at this time, as our goal is to have water on to our parks by April 1st so please plan accordingly. When our restrooms are open, visitors will have access to a Height Adjustable Changing Table!!

City of Winterset Madison County Rotary Evening Club - MCREC Cunningham Recreation Play 4 ALL Campaign Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Changing Spaces Iowa Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa Parks & Recreation Association National Recreation and Park Association Greater Madison County Community Foundation GameTime XGrass

02/27/2024

Adorable!! 😍

Make a day trip to Reiman Gardens part of your summer vacation plans! Named a "Top 10 Garden Worth Traveling For in North America," here's one more reason to make Reiman Gardens a destination this summer: https://reimangardens.com/news/relive-your-childhood-summer-through-reiman-gardens-playhouse-exhibit

02/11/2024

Can’t wait to see this place when it’s open and in full bloom 😍

01/22/2024

Just look at this amazing space for kids in the new Grimes Public Library 😍📚

01/10/2024

Who’s ready to go sledding?! 🛷

The following is a list of spots to go sledding around Des Moines, many of which were shared by you guys! Know some more? Share in the comments & I’ll add to the list!

• Ashley Oakland park off Indianola (on the south side)
• Capitol Hill
• Fairmont Park hillside (across from the playground)
• MacRae Park hillside
• Pearson Park hillside in West Des Moines
• MercyOne in Clive (across from the Clive Library)
• Metro Ice hillside (located on the back side of the building)
• Perkins Elementary hillside
• Waukee Warrior Park’s double-sided engineered hill
• Waveland Golf Course
• Jordan Creek Elementary hillside
• Ironwood Park in Altoona
• Campbell Recreation Area in Clive

01/07/2024

So incredibly excited to check out Treehouse Village come spring! 🌳

01/05/2024

💙

Many teachers across Iowa have asked that we all wear blue Friday in support of Perry.

Glad to do it.

01/02/2024

You guys sold that out fast! BUT a second date has been added if you missed out on the first ❤️ See post for details!

⚠️ SECOND DATE ADDED ⚠️
Our Eras Skating Party on January 13th SOLD OUT in just 24 hours..
Due to demand we have added a second date for Saturday, February 10th!!
Pre-registration is required and can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/bdhzcesu

We can’t wait to party with you at the RecPlex!

01/02/2024

Always a fun outdoor ice skating option! ⛸️⛸️

Update on the Valley Ice Plaza! Approximately 19,000 gallons of water were poured over the weekend, and now we wait for it to freeze. We hope to be able to open in the next week, however be sure to check our website and social media for updates.

12/28/2023

If you know a T-Swift fan, this would be fuuuun!
⛸️⛸️🎶

⛸Hey Swifties!🎉
Join us at the RecPlex for our Eras Skating Party! Come Skate it Off to Taylor Swift Eras Tour Music while hitting the ice with your friends! Dress up in your Taylor Swift concert outfit and bring your friendship bracelets! Friendship bracelet making will also be happening during the skate time. All ages are welcomed!

Pre-registration is required and can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2mvhkt25

If you are not planning on skating, you don't need to register.

We can’t wait to party with you at the RecPlex!

12/20/2023

Skate South sharing some fun Winter Break roller skating specials for families to enjoy! 🛼🛼

Mark your calendar for Winter Break and Holiday Fun 2023 at Skate South!!
Learn more at skatesouth.com

12/20/2023

If you’re looking for a way to enjoy extra activities with your family over Winter Break, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex has some options available!

❄️Winter Break @ The RecPlex!❄️

No snow, no problem.. Stay active this break as we have a full schedule of drop-in activities for the entire family.

A complete list of drop-ins at the RecPlex can be found here: https://www.therecplex.com/facility-schedule/

We can't wait to see you at the RecPlex!

12/16/2023

Take a peek at this 👀❤️

The community gathering space will feature interactive water features, landscaped green space, public art, restrooms and winter ice skating!

12/14/2023

11 FREE outdoor community ice rinks courtesy of the Iowa Wild! Click the article to find the full list ⛸️⛸️

The Iowa Wild is partnering with metro cities to provide 11 free community ice rinks for central Iowans.

12/11/2023

We love Chesterfield Park and the updates making it accessible for all ❤️

11/18/2023

Huston Ridge Park: is smaller in size yet a fun park with lots of slides & climbing features, right off Jordan Creek Pkwy and Mills Civic!
• separate play equipment for big + little kids
• baby swings + Oodle Swing
• wooden mulch ground cover
• mixed-use field + basketball court
• walking loop surrounds the park
• large shade canopies over the playground equipment
• several benches
• picnic tables under pavilion
• porta-potty but no drinking fountain
• street parking only
• 📍Address: 256 S 85th St, West Des Moines

11/16/2023

Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation adding a new playground in 2024 for us to check out too! 😁