Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge

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Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge

Des Moines Parent want you to get outside this summer and explore central Iowa. That is why we have created the ‘Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge’. The communities within central Iowa offer many parks, trails, spray grounds, and more. We want you to get out and discover them.

The 2025 Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge will kick off on June 1 and run until August 24. During this period, we encourage everyone to visit 30 of the 35 parks on the list.

You must register below by clicking the button to be eligible for any prizes

Receive Discounts

You will receive a special discount when you show your 2025 Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge sheet at the following locations!

• Valley Community Center – One FREE drink
• PlayGrounds Cafe – FREE cookie
• Twist Soda Shop – Receive $1 off a drink

Trek the Parks T-Shirt

New year! New color! Our pre-order for the 2025 Trek the Parks shirt is now open through Tuesday, June 3rd. We are thrilled to be partnering with The Side Garage again this year. Pre-order your shirt here and wear it this summer while you trek the parks!

Trek the Park Meetups

We are excited to bring back Trek the Park Meetups! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet other families in our community doing the same challenge as you and cross a park off your list. Save the date for the following meetups!

Trek the Park Kick-Off Party – Sunday, June 1 from Noon to 3 p.m.

Join us at The Brenton Arboretum for our Trek the Park Kick-Off Party! FREE snow cone for each child from Dille Delights, free kids’ activities, and more! Join the Facebook event to stay up to date.

The Rules

• Visit a park on the Central Iowa Trek the Parks list submit your photos via this form, and (for extra entries) post a photo of you at the park using the hashtag #DSMOFTrektheParks25 on Facebook or Instagram. Please submit ONE form a the end of the challenge. Include all your photos in ONE form.
• Download the FREE Des Moines Parent app by searching ‘Des Moines Parent’ in the app store to easily upload your photos via your phone.
• If you visit and submit a photo of 30 parks, you will be entered to win the grand prize.
• If you visit and submit a photo of at least 10 parks, you will be entered to win a prize.
• All winners will be randomly chosen and finalized by September 1, 2025. We will post the winning list on this page and email you how to claim your prize at that time.
• NOTE: Please make sure all social media platforms are set as public, not private, so we can see your photos and hashtags if you choose to enter extra entries. 

2025 Parks

** Please note: We are working to add details for each park. Please keep checking back as we update details, links, etc. throughout the Summer.

1. Brenton Arboretum – Dallas Center

• Learn more about Brenton Arboretum here.
• Join us for our first annual Trek the Parks Kick-Off event on Sunday, June 1, from Noon to 3 p.m. It’s going to be a grand time.
• Enjoy Nature Club is offered on the first and third Thursday of the month. Register and take a look at other fun events on their event calendar.
• Head home through Dallas Center and stop for lunch or ice cream at Korner Kone.
• Need some coffee on your way? Stop at Sugar Grove Goods for some coffee and a treat.

2. Jester Park Sensory Trail – Granger

• Learn more about the Jester Park Sensory Trail.
• We love Jester Park! There are so many fun things to do. Plan an entire day playing and exploring.
• If you visit in June, you are not far from the Iowa Orchard U-Pick Strawberries!

3. Valley Community Center “Eric’s Place” – West Des Moines

• Learn more about Valley Community Center “Eric’s Place”
• The Valley Community Center offers free programming throughout the week. Take a look at their event calendar plan your visit.
• Don’t forget to show your Trek the Parks Sheet for a FREE drink at the cafe inside Valley Community Center.
• Before you make your stop, grab donuts at Mahalo’s Coffee & Donuts.
• Explore the West Des Moines Public Library and take a walk around the campus pond.

4. Jaycee Park – West Des Moines

• Learn more about Jaycee Park.
• Crossroads Park (another newly renovated park) is less than one mile 

5. Kiwanis Park – West Des Moines

• Learn more about Kiwanis Park.
• If you want to check out a second nearby park, we recommend Fairmeadows Park.

6. Crossroads Park – West Des Moines

• Learn more about Crossroads Park.
• Barista’s Bouquet is located in West Des Moines and not far from these parks. They offer fun drinks, flowers, and a cute kids area. They also offer different events throughout the month!

7. Lions Park – Urbandale 

• Learn more about this fun park that includes a splash pad!

8. Barrett Boesen Natural Playscape – Urbandale

• Get dirty and have fun at this natural playscape in Urbandale!
• Waterford Park is located right across the street and offers disc golf.
• The bike path runs around the area. Bring your bike!

9. Horizon Ridge Park – Urbandale

10. South Karen Acres – Urbandale

• Learn more about South Karen Acres.
• Less than a mile from Rick Boals Park is Windsor Height’s Baskin Robbins.
•  If you’re looking to check out another park, be sure to check out North Karen Acres.

11. Walnut Regional Park – Urbandale

• Learn more about Walnut Regional Park.

12. Dewey Park – Johnston

• Learn more about Dewey Park.
• Make sure you leave time to stop at Van Dee’s Ice Cream just a mile away.
• Johnston Library is one of our favorite places to check out. We love the staff there and all of the little play activities out for kids.
• Check out the all-inclusive playground behind the library, Johnston Commons Playground. 

13. Meacham Place Park – Pleasant Hill 

• Learn more about Meacham Place Park here.

14. Ironwood Park – Altoona

• Learn more about this pirate-themed playground in Altoona.
• I would recommend checking out Meacham Place Park, which is nearby!
• We also love checking out Bass Pro Shops when we are in the area.

15. Bondurant City Park – Bondurant

• Learn more about Bondurant City Park.
• Just a two-minute walk from City Park is the perfect small-town ice cream store, The Creamery, located at 100 Main Street. 
• We also love visiting the Bondurant Public Library, 104 2nd St NE.
• Make a stop at Home Slice Handmade Pies for a pie flight!
• Grab a tasty drink from Twist Soda Shop (show your Trek the Park List and receive $1 off a drink)

16. Chichaqua Bottoms

• Learn more about Chichaqua Bottoms.

17. Thomas Mitchell Park – Mitchellville

• Learn more about Thomas Mitchell Park.
• Five minutes from Thomas Mitchell Park, you will find the 18-hole Terrace Hills Miniature Golf Course.

18. Mayor Tom Becker Park – Cumming

• Learn more about this farm-themed playground outside of Des Moines, Iowa.
• Middlebrook Farm offers Fridays at the Farm every Friday evening, which consists of live music, vendors, food, and fun.
• Wilson’s Farm in Cumming is now open! They offer U-pick flowers and produce, restaurants, and more. Check out their offerings and events before you head that direction.
• One of our favorites, Howell’s Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch, is just down the road where you can find hours of farm fun, plus goat cuddling during the Summer.

19. Middlebrook Meadow – Cumming

• Learn more about Middlebrook Meadow.

20. Billy O Phillips – Norwalk

• Learn more about Billy O Phillips Park.

21. Athene North Shore Recreation Area – Des Moines

• Learn more about the Athene North Shore Recreation Area in Des Moines. An all-inclusive playground!

22. Gray’s Lake – Des Moines

• Learn more about Gray’s Lake.
• Walk under the bridge over to Water Works Park for more exploration!
• Join Des Moines Parks and Recreation for FREE Yoga in the Park every Saturday at 9 a.m.

23. Fort Des Moines – Des Moines

24. Grandview Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Grandview Park.
• If you’re looking for a fun treat or a unique meal, check out Cafe Con Leche, 2905 Hubbell Ave, about a mile away. 

25. Greenwood – Ashworth Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Greenwood Ashworth Park.
• Make a stop at Either/Or for lunch or dinner! They offer a fun outdoor patio and play space for kids.

26. Riverview Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Riverview Park.
• Grab lunch at Captain Roy’s located not far from the park, right along the Des Moines River.
• We love to drive up the road and walk around the Highland Park neighborhood. Grab coffee, visit a local bookstore, and more!

27. Sargent Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Sargent Park.

28. Stone Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Stone Park.

29. Union Park – Des Moines

• Learn more about Union Park.
• Just down the hill is Captain Roy’s, right on the Des Moines River, which offers live music, food, drinks, and kayak rentals. The perfect spot for lunch after a day in the park!
• Looking for another park to play at, head to another park full of history Riverview Park, just down the way. 

30. Western Gateway Park Water Feature – Downtown Des Moines

• Learn more about the Western Gateway Park Water Feature.

31. Centennial Park – Waukee

• Before or after you spend some time playing, head to PlayGrounds Cafe to grab a smoothie, coffee, and treat. Show your Trek the Parks list and receive a FREE cookie!

32. Triumph Park – Waukee

• Learn more about Triumph Park.
• Before or after you spend some time playing, head to PlayGrounds Cafe to grab a smoothie, coffee, and treat. Show your Trek the Parks list and receive a FREE cookie!

33. Colby Park – Windsor Heights

• Learn more about Colby Park.
• Save the date for Friday, May 30 for a fun Touch a Truck event happening at Colby Park. A great way to kick-off summer!
• Love Bubble Tea? Head to Ocha Bubble Tea for a fun drink or grab a cookie at Eileen’s Cookies.
• Enjoy a Movie in the Park. Take a look at dates and movies showing here.

34. Watercrest Park – Ankeny

35. Bellagio Park – Ankeny

Prizes, Prizes! – Submissions NOW CLOSED

*** All winners have been contacted via email. If you are listed here and have not seen an email, please email us at [email protected]

Huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors and donors who support this fun challenge for families all over central Iowa.

Grand Prize – Only one available. You must visit 30 of the 35 parks to be entered to win. – WINNER: Jessica Bilbo

 SpareTime – A full birthday bowling package for 10 guests with pizza/game cards is included! $300 value

Other Prizes – Anyone who visits at least 10 parks will be entered to win the prizes below.

• The Side Garage – Iowa Parks Package, which includes a hat, a t-shirt, and a sticker – WINNER: Jennifer Cornell
• Steam STARZ – Adult and Me class. $50 value – WINNER: Jessica Olinger
• 3 Des Moines Parent Gift packages – T-shirt, book + other fun goodies – WINNERS: Elizabeth Oller, Audrey Ptacek, and Katie Bostrom
• The Home Slice Handmade Pies – Pie Flight (4 mini pies) – Winner: Stephanie Anderson
• Sign Dreamers Des Moines Suburbs – One sign of your choosing! Winner: Amber Simm