Ankeny Parks &amp; Recreation

0.6 mi

This park is a little older but is still one of the best in Ankeny. It is located amongst all the…read morehomes on the SE side of town. The park itself is a really big park and has trails that run through it. The park is big enough that you can either walk the paths in the park or take the paths through the park and through the community. The park itself has two backstops for baseball or softball. One of the backstops has an infield that goes along with it. There are some open grass areas for sports practices too. The park has a playground area for kids and swings. It has a picnic shelter area too. For sports other then the fields and backstops the park also has a basketball court with four adjustable hoops. Along with the hoops the park also has a place to play horse shoes. The horse shoe area has three different horse shoe pits and also has special lighting.

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Ankeny Miracle Park

4.6

(12 reviews)

0.2 mi

The slides, swings and playground area was great. I brought my friend's 12 year old (who didn't…read morewant to leave) while I got my steps in. There were two decent sized shaded area with picnic tables. I only knocked off a star for the dead cockroach I saw. That being said, it is outside around lots of green things so it is understandable. I would still totally go back.

Miracle Park All-Inclusive Playground is Ankeny's largest playground with more than 14,000 square…read morefeet of fun. The playground features double wide ramps going more than nine feet high and various play amenities that children with and without special needs can enjoy. There are roller tables, sway fun gliders, sensory play center, and an omni spinner for all to enjoy. We had a short road trip to Des Moines and this playground was close to the hotel that we stayed at. We had a little bit of time to kill so we stopped by on a late afternoon. Despite the hot weather, there were plenty of kids but it was not crowded.

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Hawkeye Park

0.2 mi

Nice park - newer quality equipment, very spacious. There's a nice walking path around a pond of…read moresorts. Tennis courts and ball field nearby so lots of activities usually taking place promoting health. Great area, right across the street from the fire station - added bonus for those young and old who admire their service.

This is one of the best parks in Ankeny. It has 3 softball fields. 2 for grown ups and 1 separate…read morefor youngsters. The grown up softball fields has a concession area open during games. It has 6 tennis courts and 4 sand volleyball courts. Parks and Rec also does their bags league at the park too. The park has two different kids areas an older one and a newer one. The newer one has the soft base and lots of different types of things to climb on and through. The older one has a sand base a slide and a couple things to climb on. The park also features a pond with ducks. The ducks are fun to feed and the pond is good for fishing.

Softball field

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6 tennis courts

Sawgrass Park

3.0 mi

After playing at this park my little man proclaimed it one of his favorites. There is a pretty…read morepond in the middle with a walking trail that goes around it. There are also lots of trees lining the pond and trail that help make it a fun trail to walk. There is a bridge that goes across the pond that we saw people fishing off of. There is also a lookout area over the pond that is very pretty and we saw a family doing family photos from the lookout. Beyond the lookout is a fountain in the water. Away from the pond is a neat kids area that is designed like a tree fort. There are stairs hidden inside the tree and lots of things for the kids to do around the tree. Next to the kids play area is a shelter for parties and get togethers.

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Otter Creek Park

2.3 mi

This park is located out by Otter Creek Golf Course. The parking for the park is located by the…read moredriving range and you have to walk a little bit to get to the park. The park has two play areas one for smaller kids and one for bigger kids. It also has a walking path that makes the park accessible by bicycle. There is a shelter area at the park for parties and a big open grassy area that has a backstop.

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Little kids play area

Hillside Park

4.0

2.7 mi

This is a very nice park in Ankeny with newer play equipment. There are two ponds at the park with…read morewalking trails going around both ponds. There are also two play areas one for bigger kids and one for smaller kids. The two play areas are right next to each other and both feature fun play areas that differ from most standard parks. The reason I took a star off was because there is ZERO parking. There is a dirt spot on four mile that can maybe fit two cars but other then that there is not any parking. Basically the only access to the park is to live in the community and walk to it. It's not very accessible for people who don't live in the area around the park.

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Dean Park

1.9 mi

Dean Park is a nice newer park located in the middle of a neighborhood on the SW side of Ankeny…read more The park is fully surrounded by houses. The park has a smaller play area for younger kids and a bigger play area for the bigger kids. One of the things this park has that most in Ankeny don't is a small splash pad area. It is pretty small but still has four little areas that shoot water up into the area for kids to run through. The shelter area at this park is very big and nice. It is one of the nicer shelter areas in Ankeny.

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Heritage Park

1.6 mi

This is actually a 21 hole disc golf course! It has a nice variety of easy to challenging holes…read moreranging from par three to par five. There's an awesome little creek to cross that has a great watering hole to explore. A few picnic tables, a shelter, a great map of the course and restrooms... solid!

This park is the only frisbee golf park in Ankeny. It is an 18 hole course that has a creek that…read moreruns through it. When the river is high it goes over the walking path and you can't access the holes on the other side. It has a variety of holes ranging from par 3 to par 5 with some being straight shots and some being tough dog legs. The park has a good sized parking lot and has a shelter area for parties.

You gotta cross that creek on a paved platform... sweet!!!

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Greentree Park

1.4 mi

This is a fun park on the NW side of town. The park is fun because it has a ropes area to climb…read morein. The park also has a play area for kids that attaches to the ropes area. The park features two tennis courts, a picnic area with bbq pits, and a sports field that is set up for baseball or softball. This park connects to the High Trestle bike trail. There is a bridge that connects the park to the trail and a pond on the opposite side of the trail that is good for walking around.

Play area

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Bridge

Crestbruck Park

4.5

0.6 mi

This is one of the best parks in Ankeny. It is very big with a lot of things to do. There is a…read morelarge shelter area that overlooks the park. The shelter area instead of having regular benches has swinging benches that are pretty fun. The park haw two different play areas for kids and both of them have a good bit of things for them to do. The park has a basketball court with two hoops but the hoops are not adjustable. The park is very large and it has trails that run throughout it that are good for walking or biking. Finally there is a large wide open grass area in the middle of the park used for soccer, ultimate frisbee, or anything else you can think of. Overall this is definitely a good park to check out with the family.

This is a huge park! A large field with two different playgrounds and the whole thing is surround…read moreby a walking/bike path. Huge shelter on the West end. You could easily play soccer, frisbee, picnic, run with a dog, baseball, loads more. Some equipment just needs a little TLC is the only reason for four stars.

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Union Park

4.7

(3 reviews)

8.2 mi

I love it and it's the best place you could be it's very good and it's just the best because you…read morecan do all sorts of stuff good for kids I forgot what this the rules of the park separation I'm pretty sure it said to 2 12-year-olds

Memorable park with the famous ROCKET SLIDE!…read more It's a fun playground because it has a unique structure that is considered vintage. Made of metal. The slides are plastic. During COVID19 review: Came out here with some moms for a play date. Rocket playground was open as well as the north playground. Wading pool was NOT operating. Didn't see anyone using the restrooms or the drinking fountain. A few park benches around to sit and picnic at. Grass was very tall but landscapers were working on mowing. Well maintained with no tree debris. We've been to this park before and it's a popular place to come. But during COVID19 there is way less people around. 3 other families and 1 small day care of 4 kids were there with our group. Made for around 20-25 children playing around each other. Would recommend if you're in the neighborhood.

Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center

(4 reviews)

30.8 mi

My granddaughter attended Wesley Woods horse day camp in 2024 when she was 10. She'll go again this…read moresummer - but wants to have the week-long overnight experience. She's already decided that after beginner, and now intermediate, she wants to go on to advanced - all the way to becoming an instructor!

Came here for horseback riding with my family. This is a Methodist Church camp that offers…read morehorseback riding year-round for a price way lower than anywhere else I've ever been. This is a great outing for anyone new to horseback riding or to do with your children. It's also a price that makes this a great weekend activity for the whole family. Our guide led us around the large acreage of the camp for around 45 minutes on a very easy and beautiful ride.

Come take a wagon ride and visit our small animals farm featuring goats, sheep & miniature donkey.

High Ropes adventure course with Zip Line, climbing wall & vertical playpen

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Kayak, stand-up-paddle board, canoe and/or pontoon Lake Ahquabi

Ankeny Parks & Recreation - parks - Updated August 2026

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Walnut Woods State Park

4.8

(10 reviews)

It's a wonderful park that has lots of accessible areas and point of picnic, parking areas…read more They have river access, there's a shelter available for rent, end the camping area that accommodates some r v's. I enjoy the park for the birding opportunities that provides. It has an accessible bird viewing area with easy access for wheelchairs. I've seen red headed woodpeckers there , downey , woodpeckers , flycatchers , wobblers , finches , lots of variety. I also enjoy hiking the trail that's next to the bird area.For a wonderful walk into a burr oak forest with many of the trees looking like they're a several hundred plus years old. It's quiet and cool.Because the trail shaded. The other thing of note is that cut the trail wide enough that you can reasonably avoid ticks. I wish they would create a loop on that trail that would end up , so you would know that you've walked a mile or two. Maybe some volunteers could create it

We stayed here on an RV trip across the country. It was a great site. A load of trails and…read morefriendly people everywhere. Also, as you're in the middle of des moines you can get delivery from the town. The tree coverage is very nice and keeps the place cool during the day and the prices are super reasonable. We really enjoyed our stay here and I would suggest it for anyone looking for an RV campsite in or around Des Moines.

MacRae Park

Green space on a bluff with dramatic downtown views perfect for chilling with a picnic or if you…read morewant some nature and privacy that Grey's Lake can't provide. It has tennis courts, it has a pond & a playground. You are very close to multiple breweries, if you want to make this a bike ride desticnation or just want to go read a book with lots of shade on a nice day! You bring the blanket, I'll bring the food and brews!

Jester Park Nature Center

(10 reviews)

Located only 20 minutes northwest of Ankeny on the western shore of Saylorville Lake, the 1600-acre…read moreJester Park Nature Center has a buffet of options. Whether it is a visit to their elk, hiking, biking, learning, cabins, birding, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, they have a lot to offer! We visited on a moderate winter afternoon and enjoyed spending time with their elk, who roam the property's northwest end. They wander in an area, allowing nearby viewing and enhancing the entire experience. They also have an 18-hole golf course, a 9-hole course, and a driving range with instruction available. I'm returning!

Air riffle shooting was fun, as was the archery, the ice cream also helps! Summer has canoes,…read morefishing, etc. Staff helpful and friendly both times we have been.

Raccoon River Park

4.8

(21 reviews)

This is a great multi-use park located near Valley Junction. They have a family friendly beach…read morearea, a newly installed accessible playground, dog park (permit required), walking/bike path, and boat house where you can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards. There are also soccer fields and baseball/softball diamonds close by. Lots of parking lots near various areas.

I am an Arizona Desert Rat who grew up in Iowa. I am visiting the beautiful small town of Norwalk,…read moreIowa and we have been fishing at Blue Heron Lake in Raccoon River Park. What an incredible job you've done West Des Moines! This place has it all! Swimming beach, boat launch, kayak and canoe rentals and a very nice wheelchair accessible fishing pier! We have been enjoying this place so much! Ok the kids and the girls are catching all the fish (I am Worm Boy and take the fish off the hook haha) Catch and release! I cannot say enough nice things about Raccoon River Park!

Hillside Park

4.0

Polk County Conservation

(7 reviews)

Great campground. The bison / elk wildlife preserve is awesome. Located on the north side of…read moreSaylorville lake.

What an awesome campground! Has both electric and non-electric sites. Grounds are clean and well…read moremaintained. Pit toilets and shower houses are available. Large playground for the kids. Golf course and equestrian center nearby. Miles of hiking/walking trails. Loads of trees. Wildlife everywhere to enjoy. A bison and elk herd to watch. Plenty of outdoor activities to keep everyone entertained. Cost is low for camping sites, $20/day for electrical, $15/day for non- electrical. Firewood available for purchase near registration booth. Campground host is very friendly and helpful. Sites available in tree lined area and also overlooking Saylorville Lake. An excellent place for a getaway that is near both Ankeny and Des Moines (about 15 minute drive).

Rotary Riverwalk Park