The Newest & Coolest Things About Parks in Downtown Des Moines

Our Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parks offer more than just recreational spaces; they provide vital connections to nature within our urban environment. These green spaces play a crucial role in our city's ecosystem, improve air quality and offer residents a chance to experience the natural world without leaving the city. Downtown DSM and the surrounding area is dotted with beautiful parks that serve the community. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to take your lunch break, a place to enjoy an outing with family and friends or a green space to enjoy with your pup, these parks offer something for everyone.

Get Ready to Explore Parks in Downtown Des Moines

Bridging the Gap: Southwest First Street's Innovative Park Project

We have exciting news for our urban landscape! The Southwest First Street Pedestrian Bridge is set to be transformed into a stunning park space and trail corridor starting in October with a grand opening anticipated late summer 2025. This innovative project will feature a dedicated multi-use trail corridor, custom concrete seating with integrated planters, inclusive landform play features for all ages and abilities, a rentable open-air shelter inspired by the bridge’s arched superstructure and dynamic, color-changing lighting for nighttime allure.

This urban oasis situated at the heart of the Central Iowa Trails network and overlooking the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers will leverage the recently rehabilitated bridge infrastructure to create a vibrant green space in our Downtown core. Get ready to experience our city from a whole new perspective — right atop the Southwest First Street Bridge!

Interested in supporting this project? Visit friendsofdmparks.org to learn more.

Your New Favorite Downtown Playground: EMC Park

If you haven’t visited this new urban park in Downtown Des Moines, expect to enjoy a variety of recreational options, including basketball, pickleball, bags and ping pong. Children are exploring the play mounds with their interactive sculptural elements, while others relax in the diverse seating areas featuring swings, benches and a naturalized seating area. The park's beauty is enhanced by planting beds, raised planters and tree-lined roadways, creating a lush urban oasis. Pet owners appreciate the convenient pet relief area and the park is also equipped with bike racks, LED lighting and an emergency call box. This new green space has quickly become a favorite spot for community members of all ages to gather, play and unwind.

 

Art in Nature: John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Nestled in the Western Gateway neighborhood, the 4.4-acre Pappajohn Sculpture Park serves as a spectacular welcome to Downtown Des Moines with attractions for all. Featuring over 30 artworks generously donated by the Pappajohns, this park is second only to the Smithsonian Institute’s sculpture collection in international renown and represents the largest single art gift in the Des Moines Art Center's history. Since its 2009 opening, the park has become a vibrant community hub, attracting both locals and visitors alike with its unique blend of art and nature. Free, self-led audio tours are available during your visit.

ICYMI: Western Gateway Park Runnels Renovation

This spectacular water feature has been an icon in the Western Gateway Park but issues with the decades old amenity has provided an opportunity to reimagine the space. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Planning Division designed the park to make it more accessible and reduce maintenance needs, while increasing the interactivity and flexibility of the park. We can’t wait for the water to be flowing once again at this Downtown gem! Construction is estimated for 2025 completion.

Fun Ways to Discover Downtown Des Moines Parks This Summer

1. Bucket List Challenge: July is Parks and Recreation Month! There is still time to explore and celebrate our parks than with the Bucket List Challenge running until July 31! The Bucket List Challenge is a photo submission contest designed to encourage residents like you to explore the hidden gems of the city. Don’t have time? You can still check out the hidden gems list and visit them at your leisure!

2. Yoga in the Park: Join Des Moines Parks and Recreation and local yoga instructors every Saturday morning at Gray’s Lake for free yoga in the park! Classes run from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. until September 28 and are appropriate for all skill levels. After class, swing over to the concession area and enjoy a soft serve ice cream cone from the new ice cream machine (donated by the Friends of Des Moines Parks!).

3. Movie Nights Under the Stars: Round up your family, blankets and some movie snacks and catch a Free Flix movie night at a park near you. Fun Fact: The Friends of Des Moines Parks helped purchase the new LED portable video screen that can show movies any time of day!

4. Rent a Shelter: Our park system provides 11 enclosed shelters and 47 open air shelters (35 reservable) which can be reserved for your next event, including the Hub Spot right in Downtown Des Moines overlooking the Des Moines River. A city park is a great location for a birthday party, family reunion, baby shower graduation and more!

Programs of Interest Lead by Friends of Des Moines Parks

Introducing the "Park-N-Play" Mobile Recreation Van

This summer, we're thrilled to unveil the newest addition to the parks and recreation fleet: the "Park-N-Play" mobile recreation van. This colorful, fully equipped vehicle brings all the fun directly to you, popping up at different locations throughout Des Moines.

The van is jam packed with different games, sports equipment, arts and crafts, and so much more to increase summer fun for the whole family! Park-N-Play will follow a weekly schedule but you may also find it popping up at Free Flix and other parks and recreation events.

Follow @desmoinesparks and @friendsofdmparks on social media to stay updated on locations and activities. Our Park-N-Play program offers exciting activities for kids, but the fun extends to all ages! We've designed a diverse range of recreational opportunities to ensure everyone in the family can join in the fun.

Every Kid Gets a Ball

Every Kid Gets a Ball (EKGAB) is a Friends of Des Moines Parks program that provides every child participating in Des Moines Parks and Recreation youth athletic programs with a ball specific to that sport at no cost to their family. EKGAB helps break down barriers to participation in many youth sports and has served over 5,000 local youth since 2022. This program is an extension of the Youth Recreation Scholarship Program (YRSP), a partnership with Des Moines Public Schools that provides qualifying families access to sports sign-up for only $5. With nearly 60% of participants accessing youth sports programs through the scholarship program, this effort has been a true slam dunk!

Community and Parks: A Perfect Partnership

Our parks are more than just physical spaces; they're the heart of our community. They provide a space where people can come together, build healthy habits and connect with nature. There are many ways to get involved through volunteering, supporting a project or program, attending events or registering for one of the many programs Des Moines Parks and Recreation has to offer. It is the community that makes our parks vibrant and welcoming. Afterall, at Friends of Des Moines Parks, we believe Better Parks make for a Brighter Community!

Find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation and additional information on outdoor recreation and trails. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.