Parks & Recreation - Recreation
The Des Moines area has a seemingly endless number of things to do year-round, from long afternoons of boating on area lakes and pedaling along the miles of cycling trails as the sun dips over the cornfields, to wintertime fun like ice skating at the city’s popular downtown outdoor rink, which at times gets so crowded you are practically moved along by the force of the crowd. Summer also means swimming at the city’s popular pools while come winter, plenty of locals strap on their cross-country skis or snowshoes and head on down the miles of local trails, or grab a sled and head over to the nearest hill for a thrilling ride down to the bottom (no, the land is not completely flat here!). Hiking and other activities are popular at area parks, and duffers can be found on local golf courses until the cold finally drives them inside in the late fall.
This chapter focuses mainly on recreation spots that offer a specific activity—other sources for more general recreation options include the chapter on parks, which has information on hiking and cycling opportunities in the Des Moines area as well as general parks information.
Parks & Recreation - Parks
Des Moines is positively surrounded by parks—just take a look at a map and note the greenbelts that line the rivers and creeks running across the city, as well as large green splotches in the outlying areas. The city’s broad and widely used park system dates to the turn of the 20th century, when Des Moines began opening public parks, an effort that dovetailed with the City Beautiful movement to soften some of the effects of rapid urbanization and bring communities across the country more in harmony with nature.
Today residents use the parks year-round, enjoying a dip in a neighborhood park’s pool on a hot summer day or strapping on the cross-country skis in winter. Many parks are also stops on Des Moines’s extensive system of trails, which are utilized by both cyclists and walkers and wind through some scenic parts of the city. County parks rival those in the city for open space, accessibility, and activities.
Numerous city parks line the rivers or are tucked away in residential neighborhoods. County parks run the gamut from a 40-acre marsh with a nature walk north of the city to a 7,000-acre recovered greenbelt near the Skunk River that provides refuge to animals being reintroduced into the landscape. Each of the state’s 99 counties has its own conservation board, which takes an active role in managing the parks, maintaining recreation facilities, and developing park activities. State parks are fewer in central Iowa than in other parts of the state, but there are some choices that aren’t too far a drive away.
Overview
It’s easy to find what you’re looking for, parkwise—check out www.dmgov.org/departments/parks/pages/default.aspx for more information on city parks, including a nice interactive map that helps you pinpoint a specific park’s location, or www.conservationboard.org for county parks, including a clickable lists of parks with facilities listed. State parks are maintained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources—go to www.iowadnr.gov for more information. Iowa Outdoor Unlimited, www.iowaoutdoorunlimited.com, can also provide information and assistance when it comes to backcountry activities.
1. BANNER LAKES AT SUMMERSET STATE PARK
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 961-7101
Address: 13084 Elkhorn St.
Description: Central Iowa’s only trout fishery, at the state’s newest state park, located about 6 miles south of Des Moines. The south lake is stocked from Oct through Mar with trout weighing up to 10 pounds. All people fishing for trout must pay a fee. There are also bluegill, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass in both lakes at the park. Shoreline fishing is available, and there are boat ramps on both lakes.
2. BIG CREEK MARINA
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 984-6083
Address: 12397 NW 89th Court
Description: Located right on the water inside the entrance to Big Creek State Park, which is known for the great fishing in the clear waters of its lake, this marina has all types of boats for rent, including pontoon boats, smaller fishing boats, and sailboats, as well as canoes, kayaks, and hydro bikes. They also sell fishing licenses and bait. In addition to the marina, there are 5 boat ramps in the park, each of which also has sailboat rigging facilities.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
5. LAKE AHQUABI STATE PARK
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 961-7101
Description: Boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rent at this 770-acre state park, located south of Indianola and about 22 miles south of Des Moines. The 115-acre man-made lake also has numerous fishing jetties and a fishing pier spread throughout the park for shoreline casting. There are a couple boat ramps, too. The park’s name comes from a Sauk and Fox word meaning “resting place,” and it’s a wonderful spot for a picnic or a swim, too. Many of the park’s structures were erected by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and are standing to this day.
6. SAYLORVILLE LAKE MARINA
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 984-6541
Address: 6170 NW Polk City Dr.
Description: The only marina on Saylorville Lake, a large reservoir north of Des Moines, with boat rentals, hundreds of slips, indoor storage, and a full slate of boat services. The lake, which covers over 25,000 square miles, is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and has numerous opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and cycling, as well as a visitor center that has exhibits on the geology and wildlife around the lake. For more information, contact Saylorville Lake Administration Office (515-276-4656; www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/Saylorville).
7. AIR LANES BOWL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 285-8632
Address: 4200 Fleur Dr.
Description: Practice your climbing and rappelling skills at this fully equipped climbing center north of Des Moines. The large climbing wall has every type of challenge and hazard, with sections designed from beginning climbers all the way up to the most experienced. An introduction to climbing class fills in new climbers on basic techniques and safety procedures before they hit the wall. The cost of the intro class includes climbing gear and safety equipment. Gear is also available for rent for all climbers. Climbers 13 and under must have an adult with them unless they are enrolled in a specific program.
8. AMF DES MOINES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 265-0315
Address: 3839 NE 14th St.
Description: Practice your climbing and rappelling skills at this fully equipped climbing center north of Des Moines. The large climbing wall has every type of challenge and hazard, with sections designed from beginning climbers all the way up to the most experienced. An introduction to climbing class fills in new climbers on basic techniques and safety procedures before they hit the wall. The cost of the intro class includes climbing gear and safety equipment. Gear is also available for rent for all climbers. Climbers 13 and under must have an adult with them unless they are enrolled in a specific program.
9. PLAZA LANES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 255-1111
Address: 2701 Douglas Ave.
10. VAL LANES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 274-0493
Address: 100 Ashworth Rd.
11. CLIMB IOWA
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 986-2565
Address: 3605 SE Miehe Dr.
Description: Practice your climbing and rappelling skills at this fully equipped climbing center north of Des Moines. The large climbing wall has every type of challenge and hazard, with sections designed from beginning climbers all the way up to the most experienced. An introduction to climbing class fills in new climbers on basic techniques and safety procedures before they hit the wall. The cost of the intro class includes climbing gear and safety equipment. Gear is also available for rent for all climbers. Climbers 13 and under must have an adult with them unless they are enrolled in a specific program.
12. A. H. BLANK GOLF COURSE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 248-6300
Address: 808 County Line Rd.
Description: One of three municipal courses in Des Moines, this course, adjacent to Blank Park Zoo on the city’s far south side, has a challenging front nine, with numerous sand and water traps. Lots of hills and trees further add to the challenge of the game, and curious zoo animals may poke their heads over the course fence as you play through. There’s a well-tended minigolf course as well for the kids. The course is open Mar through Nov.
13. BEAVER CREEK GOLF COURSE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 986-3221
Address: 11200 NW Towner Dr.
Description: This 27-hole course northwest of Des Moines is a Golf Digest four-star course, with numerous trees, hills, and water hazards. The course specializes in golf outings, and does them either with tee times or shotgun starts. There’s a nice driving range as well as a clubhouse and pro shop.
14. COPPER CREEK GOLF CLUB
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 263-1600
Address: 4825 Copper Creek Dr.
Description: This public 18-hole course offers a scenic round set among rolling hills. There are plenty of trees along the fairways as well. It’s just a short drive east on I-80 and then south on US 65 to reach the course in the growing town of Pleasant Hill. The large clubhouse has a pro shop, bar, and food service.
15. COUNTRYSIDE GOLF COURSE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (515) 981-0266
Address: 3089 North Ave.
Description: This is one of a handful of courses nestled in the countryside south of Des Moines. There aren’t as many trees as on other area courses, but there are bent-grass fairways and water hazards on most of the front nine.