The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department was established in 1892 and is responsible for the managing 4,000+ acres of land and 75 parks across Des Moines.

Besides the special features found in some of the signature parks (Ewing, Union, Greenwood, Gray’s Lake and Pappajohn Sculpture Park), patrons can enjoy a variety of amenities throughout our park system such as basketball courts, BMX track, boat and bicycle rentals, disc golf courses, enclosed and open-air shelters, equipment rental and concessions, horseshoe courts, ice skating rinks, nature trails, picnic areas with tables and grills, playgrounds, ponds and fishing, sledding hills, soap box derby track, soccer and softball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, water-play features, skateboard park, dog parks and more.