Des Moines Parks and Gardens

(Des Moines, Iowa - IA, USA)

A very green city and state capital, Des Moines manages to boast in excess of 75 different parks and public gardens, covering more than 1,200 hectares / 3,000 acres in total. The city believes that green urban spaces are an important component in day to day life and is constantly working to maintain and improve its recreational facilities.

The city is also called home by three golf courses, as well as a series of sports fields, swimming pools and close to 50 miles / 80 km of trails, suitable for walking, jogging and cycling.

Many of these recreational spaces take in the attractive scenery of the Des Moines River, such as the extremely popular Principal Riverwalk. This recently completed trail stretches for almost 1.3 miles / 2 km and features two small pedestrian-only bridges, which serve to connect the easterly and westerly aspects of the downtown district. Of note, during the cold winter weather, the Brenton Skating Plaza is a major attraction here.

General Information

If you are based in downtown Des Moines, then you will likely be within close proximity to a number of green spaces, such as the Hansen Triangle, the Nollen Plaza and the Simon Estes Riverfront.

Also located in Des Moines city center is the Western Gateway Park, where you have the opportunity not only to relax, but to appreciate some serious outdoor sculptures and statues within its Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Each June, it is here where crowds gather for the Des Moines Arts Festival.

Gray's Lake offers a wealth of recreational attractions and lies on the southwestern side of the city, where it is intersected by the meandering Raccoon River. Boating, fishing and a visitors center are just some of the highlights, along with an impressive lighting trail and floating boardwalks.

The Des Moines Water Works Park, on Fleur Drive, is to be found on the western side of Gray's Lake and is roughly 600 hectares / 1,500 acres in size. The Water Works boasts lots of recreational trails and well-maintained woodlands, with facilities including jogging trails, picnic tables, BBQ grills, fishing and playing fields used for soccer and American football. If you have plenty of time on your hands and are in the mood for a stroll, then it is possible to walk all the way northwards to the Saylorville Lake, via the Neal Smith Trail and the John Pat Dorrian Trail.

Jester Park lies on the westerly side of the Saylorville Lake and is approximately a 40-minute drive from downtown Des Moines, being found just outside the boundaries of the city. Covering a sprawling 750 hectares / 1,850 acres, Jester Park features an equestrian center, a golf course and no lack of opportunities for a picnic.