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Parks and Recreation

Providing clean, safe, fun, and beautiful parks, open spaces, recreational facilities, and professionally managed leisure activities.

News & Info

  • Holiday Lights Bus Tours


    Did you ever wonder what put the twinkle in Santa’s eyes? Maybe it’s the “Jolly Holiday Lights” at Water Works Park or your neighborhood light displays. Des Moines Park and Recreation Department is happy to once again sponsor the Holiday Lights Bus Tours at Four Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Blvd., and Pioneer Columbus Community Center, 2100 SE 5th Street. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-Registration is required at both community centers.


    Cost:

    Four Mile Community Center - $2.00 per person on boarding (exact cash payment please)
    Pioneer Columbus Community Center - $2.00 per person paid with registration.

    When:

    Four Mile Community Center – Tuesday, December 8 – Boarding at 5:45 p.m., departing at 6:00 p.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served on-board the bus.
    Pioneer Columbus Community Center – Tuesday, December 8
    Boarding at Chesterfield at 5:45 p.m.
    Boarding at Pioneer Columbus at 5:45 p.m.
    Both buses departing at 6:00 p.m. and both buses will return to Pioneer Columbus for refreshments at 7:45 p.m.
    Chesterfield bus returns at 8:30 p.m.

    Pre-Registration deadline is December 4 for both Community Centers. For Four Mile, call 515-248-6310 and for Pioneer Columbus, call 248-6316. REGISTER EARLY!


    Press Release

  • Flip the Switch Event


    What: Holiday Lights Des Moines
    When: Nov. 27, 2009
    Times: 4-7 p.m.; Flip the Switch at 6:25 p.m.
    Where: Brenton Skating Plaza, Downtown Des Moines
    Admission: FREE to attend
    Parking: Free parking is available in the city parking lot north of the Armory Building (602 Robert D. Ray Dr.). Free parking is also available in the city parking lot east of City Hall (400 Robert D. Ray Dr.). Street parking is free at all city meters after 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.


    Holiday Lights Des Moines will feature live performances from musicians and choirs, carriage rides, seasonal food vendors, face painting, and an appearance by Santa Claus from 4-7 p.m. on the evening after Thanksgiving! Even meet the Conductor from The Polar Express playing in IMAX at the Science Center of Iowa.

    At 6:25 p.m. we will light up the night sky as Des Moines mayor Frank Cownie flips the switch on a beautiful lighted tree!

    Brenton Skating Plaza will also be open for public skating from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Adult admission to skate is $3.00. Admission for children 12 and under and Seniors is $2.00, and skate rental is $2.50.

    After 8p.m. admission for adults is $4.50 and $3.50 for children 6-12 and Seniors. There is no admission cost for children 5 and under. Skate rental is $2.50/pair. There is a Live DJ from 8 pm to 11:00pm.


    If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact:
    Email: ParksVolunteer@dmgov.org
    Phone: 515/248-6380
    Fax: 515/263-8746

  • New Location for Park and Recreation Department Administration Office

    Capitol Center I, Suite 200, 600 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
    Office hours and phone number remain the same:
    8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
    (515) 237-1386

  • Current Recreational Trail Conditions

    Trails and portions of trails that are closed at this time include:

    1. John Pat Dorrian Trail is closed until further notice due to construction and temporary flood control measures in place since the June 2008 flooding. Please follow detour signs to find way around closure.
    2. Neal Smith Trail is closed north of the Botanical Center at the cul-de-sac to Penn. Ave. Please follow detour signs to find way around closure.
    3. McHenry Park Trail closed from Neal Smith to McHenry Park.

  • Planning for the Future


    A random-sample Des Moines citizen survey was conducted at the end of 2007 to determine recreational needs, priorities and satisfaction levels. A wide range of questions were asked on important issues that will affect short- and long-range planning, management practices, programming and allocation of resources for the Park and Recreation Department.

    Find out more about the results of the overall survey, specific Des Moines geographic area input and details of the survey instrument by clicking on Citizen Survey Results.



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City of Des Moines, Iowa
Parks and Recreation