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.

This is a beautiful and spacious park! After grabbing a carryout meal from a neighboring…read morerestaurant, we found our way to Greenwood Ashworth Park to enjoy our meal in some fresh air. This park features many trails, a pond, lush green spaces, a venue for outdoor events (like weddings), bike trails and a variety seating and shaded areas. The property is also home to the Des Moines art center. You could visit this park a dozen times and discover something new each time.

This park has an excellent playground shaded by pole try of trees, enclosed shelters, tennis…read morecourts, ample parking, sprawling grass, and a really cool, monolithic splash pad for kids! My kids love this park during the summer because all areas of the splash pad get sun exposure, and the stone structure absorb all that heat, so they don't get as chilly here as they do at other splash pads. The way this place is built makes for lots of great photo opportunities. The picnic benches are made of stone, and there are wooden ones as well. Restrooms are usually kept pretty clean, which is always a plus.

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.

Ashworth is literally the trail hub of Des Moines. I can…read moreget anywhere on this one. I love how flat it is and how easily accessible it is. There are posts at almost every intersection that let you know how to get where, how many miles it will take, and about how many minutes it might take to get there by bike. I can literally get from downtown Des Moines to Jordan Creek just by following this trail. There are always happy bikers, runners, and walkers on the trail and you definitely see some interesting things. Now that it's warming up, you can easily find me on this trail at least once a week. See you on the trail side!

I just moved to the area and was desperately looking for some running trails that were away from…read morethe main roads/cars. These paths I believe were at some point covered by water during the flooding, but when I recently ran them they were in good condition. I can tell the city maintains these trails and I would imagine once it warms up a bit more they are well travelled. I have found my running place! Secluded, well treed, and you feel safe even if there are only a few stragglers on the trail. You also run by the river which is nice. I would imagine this would be a good biking trail and dog walking trail as well. I highly recommend this park and the trails within it!

We've been coming to Ashby since we moved to Des Moines…read more It's got a great splash pad, big field, covered picnic shelter and umbrella tables, tennis courts and two playground areas. Parking is off the street, which is nice. Bathrooms are always a little gross, but that's sort of to be expected at a public park.

The city of Ankeny has tons of parks. This is a good neighborhood park but not one of the best in…read morethe city. The park is in the shape of a U with a tree'd grove and creek and in the middle. On one side of the U is a kids play area with swing set. The play area is really nice and my little guy had a lot of fun playing on it. On the other end of the U is a one hoop basketball court and a picnic shelter. There is a bike/walking trail that goes through the park and connects with the neighboring community. There is no parking lot for the park and you need to park on the street.

We had a fun time walking through the creek and enjoying the scenery. We had adults and kids…read more Really enjoyed seeing how much fun all the kids were having. They loved when the cars drove by and splashed them. Beautiful area. We considered hiking, but just too hot today. The creek walk was perfect. Definitely wear water shoes if you plan to walk the creek, and bring sunscreen and bug spray.

This place is awesome and always a destination when we need to touch Ledges State Park is one of…read moreour favorite places to take visitors when we want to show off just how beautiful this part of Iowa really is. It never disappoints. We've spent so much time here exploring, hiking, and driving through the water crossings -- which is always a blast, especially when you accidentally (on purpose) splash water all over the kids waiting nearby. So much fun. I have way too many pictures from this place, and somehow it still feels different every time we go. On our most recent visit, we brought Kim's parents to see the fall colors. We missed peak color by a bit, but honestly, it was still beautiful. Even when it's not at its "perfect" moment, Ledges is still worth the trip. If you want nature, scenery, and a spot that never gets old, this is it

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!