Inis Grove Park is an all-inclusive, sprawling, castle and nature-themed playground in Ames, Iowa…read more It is vast and covers a wide age group. There is a space for infant, toddlers, and preschoolers with a rubbery ground, bridge, dome, and playhouse. Nearby is a play area with spinners, rotating climbers, see-saw, swings, and musical instruments. Furthermore to the side is a larger space for children aged 5 and beyond. There are climbing apparatus, slides of varying lengths and heights, ropes, and a scavenger hunt game that encourages children to seek out the various animals, insects, and foot tracks painted throughout the playground. On the other side of the playground is a baseball field and several tennis courts. We were visiting from out of town but otherwise, we could've easily spent two hours here so that our girls could spend time in the playground and the tennis courts.

This is mainly a review of the Miracle Park playground:…read more What is the Miracle? Well, let me tell you. Every time I come here with my toddler he cries and yells at me every time we have to leave. It is the playground equivalent of a womb, I suppose. The real Miracle, though, is what it does to his digestive system. I don't know how this works, but every. single. time. we're here he goes #2 and needs a new diaper. I know that's not where you were expecting this review to go, but parents: if you're little one is maybe Not as Productive as he/she/they should be, then this is the spot (apparently). Oh and it's also a really beautiful playground! The music play equipment is sounds wonderful. The big multi-level play area is awesome. We have tons of fun here every time. Also: DID YOU KNOW there is a "secret" playground just around the bushes? This was a bizarre discovery, especially since that other playground is a little wild and kinda unfinished and maybe a bit dangerous but It's Also OK because with supervision you can have a lot of fun over there, too.

This is such a lovely place to be! It's peaceful and clean. Also great for fishing. Definitely a…read moregreat place to clear your head and enjoy nature. The paved walkway is a huge plus and the map in the parking lot is quite helpful. It's very well maintained too. There are a lot of fun information boards along the path to read about the wildlife in the park as well. Ada Hayden is great for solo trips, or to bring your family and explore. All around, it's very accommodating to anyone who wants a little fresh air :)

This gem, located on the north end of Ames on Highway 69, is a sensational 137-acre mingling of…read morewildlife, water, picnics, family fun, fishing, running, walking, cycling, and birding that debuted over 20 years ago. It's named after Ada Hayden, an Ames native who graduated from Ames High and was a celebrated botanist and wildlife connoisseur who was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from nearby Iowa State College (now Iowa State University). A City of Ames venue, with assistance from Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ada Hayden Heritage Park is an oasis at the top end of a growing college town. It is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature. Plenty of parking with lots on the north and south ends of the park, and the venue is handicap accessible. There is a walking path that cyclists also use, and it ranges from 1.2 to 3.2 miles in length. Dogs must be leashed. There is a beautiful bridge in the center of the large lake, and there were at least five bird species that day. According to a local, the lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Striped Bass by the Iowa DNR, and fishing is allowed, but not on the bridge. Boats without gas motors are allowed. There are many spots to sit and relax, with numerous picnic tables and a covered area available. Beer and liquor are prohibited. It is gorgeous and a wonderful tribute to an elite Ames contributor who was also a pioneer in her field. I'm looking forward to visiting again!

We saw a herd of deer near the main part of the park tonight grazing. Hard to see through these…read morepics, but there are at least 7 here. See pics. Marcydiner tantrum scale of 5/5-no screaming kids.

Idk if across the street is part of the park, too but my son loves the Old school excavator toy…read morethere. He enjoyed the play equipment down near the tennis courts, but his imagination is too great and he thought there were monsters in the woods. I plan to return here for the tennis practice boards. I hope to spend more time exploring this lovely park.

Moore Memorial Park is a short walking distance from my parent's home in northern Ames. The park is…read morenamed for Fern and Bertha Moore who operated a dairy farm here and donated their 90 acres of land to the City of Ames. It is said that Bertha Moore would enjoy negotiating with developers who tried to buy her valuable land that was (and is) located next to the golf course. She would hear them out, bargain, and then decline. In her will, she was always clear that she wanted the future use of her land as a place where children could play. During our recent family trip back to Ames, my son enjoyed wandering off to this Park and I'm sure would thank Bertha Moore if he could. He admires the pond, walks the paths that loop around, sits in the grass playing his Nintendo DS, sits and talks with his Dad and Grandparents on a park bench, and climbs up the observation tower with his cousins. In his younger days, he would enjoy himself for hours at the play structure. As I walk the loop myself, I particular enjoy the old farm buildings (silo and a machine shed), the trees, the Big Bluestem Shelter, and the acres of prairie grasses and wildflowers. This place is not as big as Ada Hayden, but it is my neighbourhood park and I'm sure that I will continue to enjoy the handsome layout and its many relaxing features.

Charles and June Calhoun park is our newest park. It features a small shelter, paved parking lot…read moreand access to the south side of Ada Hayden Heritage Park. In fact, this is where Gayle and I parked when we recently took a long "Figure 8" walk around Ada Hayden. The new park is definitely a work in progress and the nearby vehicle-based business somewhat detracts from its potential full beauty.

This park is awesome! Most use it as alternative trail head to walk the loop around Ada Hayden…read morePark. The figure 8 is 3.2 miles. Its easy to find my walking buddies because its a small lot. There is a very nice looking gazebo, so it would be great for small gathering. There is only 1 drawback, the parking lot was designed by someone that thought water runs uphill so the NW corner of the parking lot floods when it rains or snow melts. Also, watch out for cars traveling fast along Dawes drive as you cross over to the walking path.

Excellent facility with a wide range of activities for all ages. Cost is reasonable just wish the…read moreweather would be more cooperative.

Furman Aquatic Center is possibly one of my favorite places, ever. Considering the rules of other…read moreplaces I've been to in the past, they are pretty relaxed and kind. Lifeguards are there to ensure everyone is safe and has an enjoyable time. I'd rather a lifeguard be overly cautious with a child not swimming the best in the deep end, than that some terrible accident happen. The facilities are beautiful, and they have a lot of amenities like food concessions, locker rooms, changing rooms, and full showers. While they don't let you bring food in the facilities, you're allowed a bottle of water. Pros: An amazing place for taking swimming lessons or for exercising with water walking or doing lap swim. There are lawn chairs, and a picnic table area. The place is the most relaxing place ever. Relax, enjoy, cool off, and make new friends. I love it. Like any place, there's a lot of good, and some little bad -- but it's mostly not the place's fault. Cons: People can sometimes get territorial over their preferred spot in the pool during the 11-1pm exercise time. Sometimes, people sneak in to just open-swim and not exercise, getting in the way of others who are, so perhaps a little more screening during the 11-1 timeslot would be best so people know they can't just goof around when others are there to exercise. There can be unruly teenagers sometimes that might ruin the lazy river experience if what you want is to relax, etc. Little things like that. On super, super hot days, the place might be way too full. But come back on a cloudy, hot day, and you'll find the place pretty decent. I really have no serious complaints about it other than I wish we had no winters and could enjoy it year round. heh I have high praise for all staff. I learned to swim with them this summer, and I will never forget the experience. I am eternally thankful and grateful.

It's a large and open space, separate spaces for large dogs and small dogs, but wow there's no…read morepolicing of the 'pick up your dog's crap' rule. For an expensive town and a park that requires a membership fee.....whew....

This regularly-tended dog park offers a place for Ames residents to let their dogs run and play…read moreoff-leash. There is a 2-acre fenced area for small dogs and an 8-acre fenced area for large dogs, so if you have a puppy or a small breed, you don't have to worry about your little guy getting trampled or roughed up by rambunctious big dogs (and if you have a big dog, you don't have to follow her around and constantly stop her from pinning that beagle/shih tzu/etc). There are multiple water fountains (near the entrance, further out into the large dog area) and always a fresh supply of mutt mitts. There are disposal units for full mutt mitts at various spots in the park, though the ones further from the entrance tend to fill up pretty quickly. There is a paved loop in the larger section for walking around the park while your dog plays, with multiple benches along the route. If you don't bring a toy with you, you'll probably be able to find old tennis balls or a frisbee lying around. This place has a friendly community vibe, complete with regulars (both dog and human), like the man and his developmentally-disabled son who come out on hot afternoons with big buckets that they fill with fresh water for the dogs. We've met lots of nice dog-people during our time at this park, though to be honest we usually know their dogs' names long before we learn the humans' names!