Centennial Park in Waukee, Iowa
Centennial Park in Waukee will wow you and your kids! The new playground has multiple fun elements for all ages. There are two large structures connected by rope climbers that immediately draw kids in. One side has a multi-level tower where my kids loved climbing through and hanging out with their friends. This side features two large tube slides jetting out and two open medium slides.
The second lime green structure has ropes and belts galore inside, scattered throughout to challenge your child’s planning and climbing skills. It is perfect for the risk-taker child. There is a large tube slide from this tower as well. The light play added a fun element to the experience.
Attached to both of these large structures are multiple unique climbing elements, combining poles, large ropes, and thin ropes to challenge your child. There are also several unique ladders to climb. The main structures offer multiple visual, auditory, and tactile experiences at child height.
Centennial Park did not fall short on the crawler to preschool experience either. There are six auxiliary features specifically targeted for 18-month-olds to 5-year-olds (though my older kids explored them all and loved them!) They vary from a play treehouse, sensory boards, a fruit stand, to a play house with a slide. These all have elements at ground level or low to the ground. The entire playground area is turf-covered, which is great for younger kids and cooler to the touch on hot days.
Waukee also added several shade tarps to this playground area. Over the swings (toddler/adult, molded plastic, standard, and infant swing), there is a large canopy providing an escape from the sun. The north side of the playground has several new picnic tables, also covered by a large shade canopy.
Centennial Park overall has many amenities beyond this new playground that make it a Central Iowa favorite. The 33 acre park has one of our favorite creeks to go creek stomping in. There is also a popular 12 hole disc golf course. Large trees throughout the park makes it a great place for a picnic. My family also loves taking pictures and exploring the small covered bridge in the park.
Address
Centennial Park is located at 1225 Warrior Lane in Waukee, Iowa. There is a paved one way loop through the park that has parking available. There is also a parking lot near the covered bridge on the Southeast corner of the park.
Basic Park Details
Type: Places to play, places to creek stomp, places to play disc golf
Bathrooms: Seasonal flushable restroom, water fountain
Shade: The Park has many large shade trees, but they do not cover the playground, large shade canopies over swings and picnic tables.
Playground: 18 months-5 years old features and 5-12 years old playground
Trails: None
Water: None
Official website: https://www.waukee.org/563/Centennial-Park
Park Amenities
- Open-air picnic shelter and enclosed shelter (available to rent)
- Open field
- Parking lot
- Basketball court
- Swings (infant bucket, traditional, hard plastic bucket seat swing, toddler/parent swing)
- Artificial turf surfacing
- Disc golf course
- Gaga ball pit
- Benches and picnic tables throughout the park
- Seasonal flushable restroom
- Volleyball courts
Located Near Centennial Park
One of our favorite ice cream shops, Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe, is a few minutes drive away. This is a must stop whenever we are in the area.
The Waukee Library is also across the street from Centennial Park. We love stopping here to warm up on a cold day or cool down on a hot day. We also love that in Iowa, you can get a library card even if you aren’t a resident of that town.
