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7 Best Parks in Des Moines and Central Iowa

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If you are like me and have kids at the park playing age, you are ALWAYS looking for a new park to check out. 

Or, sometimes you just need a reminder of all the fun and unique parks that are out there. 

You are in luck! I have compiled a list of what we think are the best parks in Des Moines. 

These parks are not only in Des Moines but also include its surrounding communities.

This will give you a great opportunity to venture out to a new area and maybe find a fun new lunch spot too!

Check out the best parks in Des Moines and Central Iowa below!

Best Park in Cumming

Our family loves a good themed park, and the Mayor Tom Becker Park in Cumming has just that!

It is a super cute farm themed park. 

Just like many parks, it has a couple of different playgrounds for various ages of children.

It has a playground for the younger kids that looks like a silo. 

It also has a bigger playground shaped as a large barn.

There is also a windmill play structure with a taller slide and a telescope.

The park also has a tractor, pig, and small tunnel to crawl through plus swings.

Why I LOVE this park

I love the farm theme of this park. It is so fun and really cute. It has so many cool details too!

Also, it is important to note that there are restrooms and drinking fountains. 

There is also a picnic shelter with numerous picnic tables. 

Another cool thing about this park is that it is a part of Middlebrook, Iowa’s first agrihood. The park is located in one of the neighborhoods in this area. 

Mayor Tom Becker Park Location

Address: 300 N Briar Lane, Cumming
If coming from the interstate through Cumming, you will pass Middlebrook Farm on your right and Middlebrook Mercantile on your left before turning left into the neighborhood where the park is located.

Quail Cove Park in West Des Moines

Quail Cove Park is a quaint park with scenic views. 

Although the edges of the park are near Interstate 80, Quail Cove Park feels like it is tucked in amongst the trees and rolling hills.

This is a great park for a picnic. It has a covered picnic area that sits on higher ground so the views are pretty great.

Quail Cove Park also has two different playgrounds. One is for younger kids and the other has more climbing elements so is more suited for the older kids. 

The playground for the older kids has a huge spider web climbing structure as well as a humongous boulder to climb across.

Why I LOVE this park

I love the scenic views this park offers. From the top of the hill by the picnic tables you can see sky and trees, and it is gorgeous!

This park is also nice because it has a cute little nature trail to walk on that goes over a small bridge and opens up to a larger field.

Quail Cove Park has restrooms, too. 

Quail Cove Park Location

Address: 5126 Oakwood Lane, West Des Moines
The park is located in a neighborhood off of 50th Street between Grand Avenue and Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines.

Knolls Park in West Des Moines

Another top West Des Moines park is Knolls Park.

My kids have loved this park for years.

The thing my kids love most about the park is the super tall playground with the large slides. 

This specific playground is geared towards older kids. There is lots of climbing, and it is a good playground for pretending too!

There is also a smaller playground for the younger kids.

Knolls Park also has swings and a small sand pit. 

Why I LOVE this park

The kids and I really LOVE how tall the playground is. This makes the slides extra thrilling. This park has some good climbing elements too.

Knolls Park is located along the bike trail in West Des Moines and does not have a parking lot.

Visitors to this park have to park along the street but there is always plenty of parking, and it is not a busy street.

Must Know Information

Knolls Park’s restroom facilities consist of port-o-potties. I would make sure to have your children use the restroom before going to the park to avoid having to use the port-o-potties.

It has always been our special tradition to pick up donuts and bring them to Knolls Park to eat them and then play. 

Knolls Park Location

Address: 5150 Aspen Drive, West Des Moines
Knolls Park is located in a neighborhood off of 50th Street between Ashworth and EP True Parkway.

DISCOVER MORE WEST DES MOINES PARKS: Best West Des Moines Parks

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Waukee’s Triumph Park

Triumph Park is definitely the newest and most popular park in the area. 

Every time we go to this park it is packed with people!

This park is located by Waukee’s Northwest High School.

I will tell you this park is a little bit of a trek from any direction you are coming from, but it is definitely worth it.

Besides the amazing play structure that is perfect for kids of all ages, the park also has a gorgeous walking trail around some ponds plus a fishing pier. 

The restrooms are also very nice in this park too!

I also love Triumph Park for its rubber ground and fake turf. 

The kids absolutely go nuts for this park. There is something for kids of every age. 

Why I LOVE this park

It is big so there is lots to do for the littlest kids in addition to the older kids. Also, I am a huge fan of the rubber ground.

The main play structure is super high with lots of climbing and exhilarating slides. 

There is a smaller play area that is perfect for toddlers to climb and slide too!

Triumph Park also has a fun musical instrument section. 

Expert Tip

Depending on the ages and number of kids you have, it can feel a little daunting keeping track of your kids especially when it is super busy. I recommend considering bringing another adult with you or plan a playdate with a friend there in order to have some extra adult hands and eyes.

Triumph Park Location

Address: 700 NW Douglas Parkway, Waukee
This park is located right next to Waukee’s Northwest High School.

Winterset City Park

This park is a little bit of a drive from Des Moines but definitely worth your time.

We usually visit this park at least twice a year.

Once during the summertime and then again during the fall when the leaves are changing and falling.

I included this park on my list because it is a doable drive and is one that you can easily spend a half of a day visiting. 

Why I LOVE this park

Winterset City Park is simply gorgeous. It is unique and has a number of different things to do for both kids and adults.

Winterset City Park has SO much to do besides simply its playgrounds. 

For one, visit the gorgeous Clark Tower with its scenic views. The kids always love going up the winding staircase and then climbing the ladder to the very top.

Next, challenge yourself to see how fast you can complete the hedge maze in this park. The kids LOVE this too!

Then, check out the Cutler-Donahoe covered bridge. It is pretty cool to walk across and take pictures of this historic bridge. 

There are also two playgrounds at this park.

The park also has some beautiful park shelters for a picnic or enjoy lunch in the grass under the humongous shady trees. 

On your way home, stop by Frostee’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat!

Location

Address: E. South Street and S. 9th Street, Winterset

Ironwood Park

Ironwood Park, also known as the “Pirate Park” to some, can be a bit of a drive depending on where you are coming from in the Des Moines metro.

It is located in Altoona and is so fun for the kids.

This park as mentioned above is pirate themed. 

There are two main playgrounds. One looks like a pirate ship, and the other looks more like the island that the pirates may discover. 

My kids love coming here because this park sparks their imagination.

Why I LOVE this park

I love this park because my kids do! It is another park that is themed which makes it unique and extra fun.

Another cool thing about this park is that there is a humongous hill to climb. Kids love running up and down this hill or even rolling down it.

The top of the hill does have a gorgeous bird’s eye view of the park and surrounding area. 

There is a picnic shelter if you want to bring lunch and that does provide some shade.

Must Know Information

This park only has a port-o-potty for a restroom. There is a gas station nearby too. I recommend using the restroom before getting to the park!

The kids are sure to have a blast at Ironwood the Pirate Park.

MORE ON IRONWOOD PARK: Visit Ironwood Park in Altoona

Ironwood Park Location

Address: 2222 3rd Avenue SW, Altoona

Greenwood Park

This park is an amazing place to spend a good half day or more!

There is so much to see and do which is one of the many reasons why it made my best parks in Des Moines list.

Greenwood Park is located in the heart of Des Moines which also makes it so special.

DISCOVER MORE ON GREENWOOD PARK: Visit Greenwood Park

You can start your visit at Greenwood Park by walking through the Rose Garden or on one of the many trails throughout the park.

The Rose Garden is a popular place for family photos and is a gorgeous area for a walk.

After smelling the roses, you can hike down the hill and check out the Greenwood Park Lagoon.

On many days you can find people fishing at this lagoon. We love walking on the boardwalk surrounding this stunning pond.

This is a good place to spot some fish, frogs, and other wildlife.

There is also a little observation tower you can climb up.

After spending some time at Greenwood Park Lagoon, we like to venture over to the playground and splash pad in the summer.

If you visit in the summer, make sure to bring a swimsuit or change of clothes as the kids will likely want to play in the splash pad.

Why I LOVE this park

Greenwood Park is also absolutely stunning. It is gorgeous year round. I love the humongous tree and trails. Additionally, there is so much to do there!

This is also a perfect place for a picnic.

Next to the splash pad is the Jay Spence Shelter House. This is a fantastic place for a birthday or graduation party.

Outside of the Shelter House are restrooms. They are very well kept and a great place to change clothes if need be.

If you want to add even more to your day at Greenwood Park, you could visit the Des Moines Art Center which is located on the same grounds as the park. It has free admission too!

Greenwood Park Location

Address: 4500 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
You can turn off of Grand onto 45th Street which will take you closer to the lagoon, spray ground, and playground. Alternatively, you can turn on to Myron and Jacqueline Blank Parkway from Grand Avenue in order to get to the Rose Garden.

Visit all of the BEST Parks in Des Moines and Central Iowa

The Des Moines area has so many amazing parks for families to explore. This list of the best parks in Des Moines and Central Iowa is solely based on my own family’s experiences and preferences, but I hope each has something that your family will enjoy too.

There are so many other amazing parks in this area to visit as well!

MORE TO DO IN DES MOINES: The Best Things to do in Des Moines with Kids

DISCOVER DES MOINES: Top Free Things to do in Des Moines.

May you LOVE your Des Moines area adventure. KW

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