Just like Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson try to liven up Pawnee, many Parks & Rec employees in the Des Moines metro area are committed to making their communities just a little bit more fun. Not only do local parks and recreation departments connect people, parks and nature they also provide great family-oriented programs and activities.
Most city parks and rec departments provide opportunities for outdoor and indoor fun year round. They serve kids (and adults) with recreational sport leagues, swimming lessons and hundreds of fun and engaging camps and classes on topics ranging from cooking to art to science. In addition to park and trail maintenance and recreational programming, many departments also host summer concerts, movies and other special events.
To find out about all of the great family-friendly activities your community’s parks and recreation department has to offer visit their website. Many of them also publish seasonal catalogs that list all their offerings, cost of the program and how to register. If you’re still looking to keep your kids active and engaged this summer, many cities have been advertising that they still have summer camp spots available.
Check out our list below to find out where you can find low cost family fun this summer and throughout the rest of the year.
Altoona Park Department
407 8th Street SE
Altoona, IA 50009
Phone: (515) 967-5203
Ankeny Parks & Recreation
210 S Ankeny Boulevard
Ankeny IA 50021
Phone: (515) 963-3570
Clive Parks and Recreation
Clive City Hall
1900 NW 114th Street
Clive, IA 50325-7077
Phone: (515) 223-5246
Des Moines Park and Recreation
1551 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway,
Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone: (515) 237-1386
Grimes Parks and Recreation
410 SE Main Street
Grimes, IA 50111
Phone: (515) 986-2143
Indianola Parks & Recreation
2204 W. 2nd Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125
Phone: (515) 961-9420
Johnston Parks Department
6400 NW Beaver Drive
PO Box 410
Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: (515) 727-8091
Pleasant Hill Parks & Recreation
5160 Maple Drive
Suite A
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Phone: (515) 309-9460
Urbandale Parks & Recreation
3600 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: (515) 278-3963
Waukee Parks & Recreation
805 University Avenue
Waukee, Iowa 50263
Phone: (515) 978-0007
West Des Moines Parks & Recreation
4200 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: 515-222-3444
Has your family participated in a Parks & Rec program recently?