Fairmeadows is a wonderful neighborhood park. Tucked into a quiet neighborhood and a bit hard to…read morefind off the main roads, it is family friendly. A couple of pieces of play equipment, open shelter house, bathrooms, open field, volleyball and basketball courts, and bike trail.

During the pandemic this was our favorite outdoor dining option, after hitting a drive through,…read morewhen the weather was nice. The park is large and has two separate playground areas for the kids. One for the younger ones and a second bigger one for the older children. There is a large shelter area and a couple smaller covered areas. Picnic tables are scattered through the park. The park is well kept, has modern bathrooms, with sand volleyball courts, ball fields, and tennis courts.

We just moved into the neighborhood recently and my 20 month old loves playing outside especially…read moreon the playground. We were walking around and noticed there was a playground that was just 10 min from our house! It has a basketball court, soccer field, swings, benches and 2 separate play areas. One play area looks like it was made for toddler age kids and the other for older kids. I love that they have one for the little kids. It was perfect for my son. He loved the slides and climbing. We were with my 9 year old nephew and he loved swinging on the equipment and the monkey bars. And especially the rock climbing wall. The playground also has that rubber ground that's much better than the wood chips you see at most playgrounds. There are also benches located around the playground for parents to sit and watch their kids. Plenty of swings but I do wish they had more than one bucket swing though because at all other parks we've been to there were at least two. It would be more convenient. There is parking but it's also right next to a school so there's more parking if needed. There are trails that lead to the park and that's how we discovered it in the first place. We will definitely be coming back to the park, it's conveniently located and my son and nephew had so much fun and asked to come back another time.

Kewl (see how I did that!) little park in a quaint little suburbia neighborhood in West Des Moines…read more We can over with some friends when the kids seemed like they needed to burn off some energy. It's a bit off the beaten path but once you find the parking lot you're home free. The park has a lovely little bridge over a creek leading you from the parking lot to a path that circles the area. A nice dual playground is available for the chilluns and is big enough that little and big kiddos have heir space. Other entertainment options here include a basketball court, a tennis court, a big field to run around in or play catch in and a lovely picnic area. I have no idea how long the path circling the area is, but a couple folks that were running seem to come around about every 10 minutes or so. Seems like it was probably a good size on which to take a walk,especially if you have a stroller and some kiddos. Not too long, but long enough that everybody get some exercise. For anybody who's in the area, or passing through and just needs to get out and run around, this park is a great place to come spend an hour and let the kids have a bunch of different ages run around and burn off some energy. There is also plenty of places for adults to hang out, making for a very pleasant afternoon. Well worth checking out!

You need more Dedicated pickleball courts!…read more There is a law suit waiting to happen here, senior discrimination you have all these activities for younger and middle aged but you only have 2 pickleball courts which 90% are the seniors playing. They have a list of 20 people that can sign up for 2 courts, yet we have come week after week and even during the weekdays NO-ONE is on the 3 extra pickleball courts! But they refuse to let the pickleball players play on them ‍ they chain up the extra nets and the courts sit empty. From a financial side point this is just stupid, every time they turn people away! Sometimes it's myself other times it's other people. You obviously have the need and want in the community yet they'd rather those courts sit empty. It would help if the front desk lady Kerry was a little nicer too. She is extremely rude and has outright lied and refused to let us rent out those courts for pickleball. It would be nice to see someone a little more kind and helpful there but she seems to always have a sour taste in her mouth.

These facilities are great! Our family came here for a hockey tournament and were taken back by how…read morespacious and clean the facilities were. They have ample parking, inside and outside turf and two well maintained ice rinks. I would seek out another tournament in this area.

A very serene small park next to the Urbandale Library. No playground equipment, but there are…read morebike/walking trails, a creek, fountain, plants and trees, stirs and a little free library. Great place to relax or take pictures. There is Little Free Library down the trail. Bathrooms available in the library. Walking distance to Walker Johnson park.

The EMC Overlook at MacRae Park is a beautiful little spot right in the heart of the metro…read more Constructed as a picturesque spot looking out on downtown. It's a heckuva view! We really do have a nice downtown skyline...! Take the time to explore the adjacent MacRae Park itself too. This spacious park is one of the prettiest parks in the metro with rolling hills, mature trees, and a pond. I moved to Des Moines in 1992 and it's funny how much we take the spots we see every day for granted. I still do now and then too. We look for something more spectacular and exciting... And further away. I think it's really important to recognize the beauty we have right here in our own backyard. Take some time... Look around... Enjoy the mundane. Stop and smell the roses...so to speak.

MacRae Park is a memorable one, I know I've only been there twice now. I decided to stop by on a…read morenice winter day and go up to see the EMC Overlook that was added last fall. The EMC Overlook has fantastic views of Downtown Des Moines, the Capitol building and the Racoon River. It is a must see and would be a great thing to show out of town visitors or add to a tour of downtown. Very nice place to snap some pics with a gorgeous background. The overlook faces to the North and East and I'd love to see it at sunrise. I believe it is also lit at night. One thing to be aware of, the road up the overlook is UP! Steep and curved, I would be very cautious about going there in icy weather. The bike/pedestrian trail goes up there as well, but it's also not an easy ride. Believe me, my first trip up into the park was on a bike.

Great park & venue…read more Love going here for community events & festivities. Enjoyed the World Food & Music Festival.

A hidden gem in Des Moines?…read more We think so. We have ridden by here a lot on our bikes following the Neal Smith bike trail, which is another gem of the Des Moines area! It goes right by on the levy and you can see this park just off to the northwest. We have also been here for several concerts as part of the river view concert series that are hosted by the City of Des Moines and parks and recreation systems. They host a fantastic and safe party. Please keep doing this!!! They bring in vendors and food trucks to provide food and refreshments for the attendees. They are parked right of the sidewalk and easily accessible without being in the way! Whether or not there is something happening on the stage, the place is perfect to enjoy with kids of all ages. The park equipment is all newly installed, Ada compliant and have historical themes, based on the rides that used to be here when this was an amusement park. The place is great, check it out and check out my pictures!

Came here during 4th of July and it was so much fun! Two very cool bands played on the stage which…read morewas such a cool experience. Plenty of food trucks and beer options too. Parking was right across the bridge and there were outhouses available as well

I heard about Imagination Playschool through the mommy grapevine. I took my daughter there this…read moremorning. I was pleasantly surprised to see how close it is to The Grateful Chef. That's where we stopped for lunch :) Imagination Playschool is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9A-2P November through March. The cost is $1.50 for children 1 year and up. They have lots of room to run and play. Also cars, bikes, and trikes. There's a little play house and a swing set. For such a reasonable price it's a great place to let the kiddos run, play, and burn off energy during the colder months. I noticed there is a weight room and some workout equipment at this community center also. There is also a nice playground out front, basketball court, and a little kiddie pool/ splash pad.