Tour Des Moines: Playgrounds

10/18/2026

Plan your Haunted Houses tour around the metro thanks to dmhauntedhouses.com - Haunted Houses in Des Moines, Iowa and the FrightMaps app! 👻🎃

Hat tip to Allicia for pointing out that the FrightMaps app shows Halloween displays in the area… and Ankeny is kicking Des Moines’ but this year.

10/17/2026

Who’s ready to start the Halloween celebrations?! 👻🎃

🎃 THE FRIGHT IS ALMOST HERE! 👻

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween without worrying about the chilly weather? We've got you covered—literally! 🧡

Join us TOMORROW for Family Fright Night at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex!

📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 MidAmerican Energy RecPlex
🎟️ $5 per person (3 & older; including adults) | 2 & Younger FREE!
Walk-Ins will be allowed!

🍬 Indoor Trick-or-Treating
🏰 Inflatables & Carnival Games
🎨 Face Painting & Balloon Artist
⛳ Mini Golf, Ring Toss & More!
⚽ Open Turf Play
📸 Photo Booth
🍿 Festive Food & Drinks Available for Purchase

🗺️ Check out our event map to see all the SPOOKTACULAR fun waiting for you!

👉 Register through the West Des Moines Parks & Recreation registration page!
https://cityofwestdesmoinesparksandrecreation.perfectmind.com/22504/Clients/BookMe4?widgetId=00f804fb-9713-4afe-b830-66b265750dcf

A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, Stew Hansen Automotive Group, for helping make this event possible!

🎃 Costumes encouraged. Halloween fun guaranteed! 👻

10/12/2026

Lions Park: playground in Urbandale was recently updated and offers a lot of inclusive space for kids to play!
• separate play structures for big + little kids to explore, climb, bounce & slide!
• big kid & baby bucket swings, a friendship swing, and a new to the area Flexx Swing! (looks like a hammock; relaxing enough to take a nap in 😆)
• multiple spring bouncers
• sensory spinner seats
• rubber turf ground cover + some wooden mulch
• half basketball courts + a baseball field
• several pickleball courts
• GaGa Ball pit + two table tennis/ping pong tables
• lots of yard space for kids to run & play
• walking loop
• lots of picnic tables for seating
• large shade trees over the playground and throughout the park
• public bathrooms (near the splash pad) + drinking fountain
• off-street parking
• ⭐️Added Bonus: the Lions Park Splash Pad is right by the new playground, adding hours of fun to your playtime experience!
•📍Address: 72nd Street and NW Aurora Ave., Urbandale

08/18/2026

Ashley Okland Star Playground: in Clive at the NEW Greenbelt Landing, is a wonderful, thoughtfully designed all-inclusive playground for everyone to delight in!
• separate accessible playground equipment for kids of all ages + abilities to explore
• big kid swings + Expression Swing + We-Swing + Oodle Swing + porch-style swings along the boardwalk
• musical elements
• multiple accessible sensory panels
• accessible glider
• rubber turf ground cover
• manual water pump for interactive water play!
• natural play + creek stomping in Walnut Creek
• shade canopies over parts of the playground
• lawn space for play + wetlands for exploration
• walking loop
• trail access to Clive Greenbelt Trail
• multiple picnic tables at the outdoor Creekside Pavilion + event space
• several benches + more located along the boardwalk
• large shade trees line the creek and boardwalk, + newer trees that will provide more shade once matured
• bathrooms + drinking fountain just beyond the lawn space at Creekside Pavilion
• large parking lot
•📍Address: NW 114th St, Clive
• Added Bonus: the Clive Aquatic Center is located directly south of the playground

08/17/2026

Clive really put a lot of thought into the design of this new space, where everyone in the community can come together to enjoy picnics, live music, social events & play!
Stay tuned for more playground details to come!
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• Featured Park: Ashley Oakland Star Playground

08/14/2026

Linnan Park Splash-Pad: in Clive is NEW to the neighborhood, and provides buckets of water fun during the hot summer months!
• accessible sprayground with sprayers, bubblers and dump buckets for kids of all ages + abilities to enjoy!
• a fun water exploration + sensory station
• zero pooling; water runs on a timer that’s push-button activated
• concrete footing; running not recommended + water shoes encouraged
• shade is currently limited as trees have not yet matured around the playground
• benches throughout the park
• two picnic pavilions with tables + several other tables around
• bathrooms + drinking fountain
• off-street parking available on Alice Ave
• 📍Address: 8500 Alice Ave, Clive
• Added Bonus: the newly renovated Linnan Park playground can be found right next to the splash-pad!

08/13/2026

Linnan Park Playground: in Clive got a fantastic facelift and the NEW, accessible, cheeky nature-themed playground is one kids of all ages and abilities will love! (And gotta shout out those colorful new courts! 😍)
• separate playground equipment for big + little kids to climb, slide & explore
• multiple accessible sensory panels
• musical elements
• big kid swings + web sw***er
• climbable webbed cone spinner
• rubber turf ground cover
• basketball court
• mini-pitch soccer fields
• mixed-use green space
• walking loop
• shade is currently limited as trees have not yet matured around the playground
• benches throughout the park
• two picnic pavilions with tables + several other tables around
• bathrooms + drinking fountain
• off-street parking available on Alice Ave
• 📍Address: 8500 Alice Ave, Clive
• Added Bonus: the NEW Linnan Park Splash-pad can be found right next to the playground!

08/08/2026

Opportunities for fun for everyone!

Have you heard about FREE monthly Sensory-Friendly Hours at the Science Center of Iowa? Register for our Aug. 11 event now!

07/28/2026

HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FUTURE PLAY SPACE!

See post for details + a link to provide your feedback & take a quick survey about what you’d love to see West Des Moines Parks & Recreation / Aquatic Centers consider for Legacy Woods!

We Want Your Opinion! 🌳

We’re excited to start designing the future Nature Playscape at Legacy Woods, and we want you to be part of the process! Join us to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback to help us shape this new space.

🗓 When: Saturday, July 25 | 1–3 pm
📍 Where: Raccoon River Park Playground

Can't make it? You can still share your input by taking our short survey here: https://forms.office.com/g/Ahtgs3sqEs

Learn more about what we've got planned for Legacy Woods: wdm.iowa.gov/LegacyWoods

07/22/2026

Currently on vacay but can’t wait to check this playground out once we are home!