Gray's Lake Park

With its many opportunities for walking, biking, and other activities, Gray’s Lake Park is the “Place to Meet” in the Des Moines Metro area. The centerpiece of the park’s renewal plan is the two-mile trail encircling the lake. This trail is lit and equipped with emergency phones, providing a beautiful, clean, and safe outdoor experience.  

The 167-acre Gray's lake Park is located in the heart of the City of Des Moines, at the site of a former gravel and sand excavation operation.  The park is located on the southwestern edge of downtown Des Moines, with entrances located on the east side of the major north/south arterial corridor of the City, at 2121 and 2100 Fleur Drive.  Water for the Park's 100-acre namesake lake is supplied by the adjacent Raccoon River back-up waters and storm water runoff from the City's southwest side.

Map of Gray's Lake                                       More on the History of Gray's Lake

Activities On and Near Gray's Lake                 Parks Calendar of Events

       Gray’s Lake Park Bicycle Rental Program  

Fleur Drive connects the City's south side and traffic traveling to and from the Des Moines International Airport with downtown Des Moines and Interstate 235, thus positioning Gray's Lake as a main focal point along the "gateway" to downtown.

The Park, with its 1.9 mile Kruidenier Trail looping the lake, also serves as the hub of the Central Iowa Trails network through the Meredith Trail connection to downtown and all trails to the north and east in and around the City and the Bill Riley Trail, which connects with the park from the western suburbs and joins with trails to the City's south, including the Great Western Trail.

Do More than the Loop at Gray's Lake

This summer and fall venture off of the Kruidenier Trail at Gray’s Lake Park and try out some of the wonderful activities and lessons that the Park and Recreation staff has lined up. Back by popular demand are the March-May guided bird watching sessions at 11:00 a.m. every Wednesday and the 9:00 a.m. Saturday Yoga in the Park sessions on the north shore June through September. Kite flying has been added every fourth Tuesday from 5-7:00 p.m. now through October and, canoe and sailing lessons will get you into the lake weekly throughout May, June, July and August with expanded frequency and age brackets. If you’d rather float than boat, you’ll want to participate in the Moon Float from 9-11:00 p.m. the fourth Saturday of those months.

Also scattered throughout the months are a nature scavenger hunt, native plant sale, rowing and sailing clubs’ open houses, fishing clinic, flower pounding and sand sculpture activities, leaf boat building, insect identification, butterfly tagging, fairy house building, and landscaping how-to and fish printing classes.  You’ll also want to put May 22 on your calendar as the Parks Department and Bass Pro Shops sponsor the first – and free – Gray’s Lake Carp Festival for youth and adults, with registration at 8:00 a.m. and activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that include tournament fishing as well as lessons and carp lake ecology. Prizes will be awarded and you’ll get to nibble on some fish . . . and it won’t be carp. Check out the details of these and other activities at Gray's Lake Park by clicking on the links on the bottom of this page.
  

Gray's Lake Plaque Donations

Along the railing of the of the pedestrian bridge, individual bridge plaque sponsors are recognized with a plaque bearing their name, company name, friends’, or loved ones’ names. A minimum $100 donation entitles you to a plaque.  Each plaque is a brushed-aluminum rectangle measuring 4 x 2 1/3 inches. Sponsors may include up to two lines of text with 17 characters each, including spaces, for a total of 34 characters per plaque. An additional line at the top of a plaque, reading “In Memory of,” may be added upon request at no charge.  Visit the Gray's Lake Park Pedestrian Bridge Plaque page to learn more about bridge plaque sponsorship and how to obtain a Bridge Plaque Form.  
 

Lilac Arboretum at Ewing Park

Every spring for about two weeks, the Lilac Arboretum in Ewing Park located at 5300 Indianola Road in Des Moines, Iowa come alive with color.  The park has hundreds of lilac trees as well as many other types of beautiful trees.  it is a spring tradition for most, to walk through the arboretum taking in the fragrant smell of the lilacs and enjoying the spectacular beauty.  If you miss the season take this great virtual tour compliments of The Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Skate Park

The new Des Moines Park and Recreation skate park facility located at the Four-Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Boulevard, promises to be an extremely popular draw not only for youth from the neighborhood but from throughout the city as well.  This 6,000 square foot facility is the city’s first, and was designed by Site Design Group of Carlsbad, California, one of the leading skate park design firms in the country.

Gray's Lake Park 

Gray's Lake Park is Des Moines' signature park, boasting features including the Racoon River, lake with swimming beach, playground, 1.9 mile trial loop with direct connections to the area's major recreational trails, 1/4 mile pedestrian bridge, picnic areas and restrooms, event venue, boat rentals, and more.  Native Iowa ecosystems are showcased in this urban setting, including floodplain woodlands, prairie, and wetland that support rare plant and animal species.  Visit the "Gray's Lake Park" tab on this page for more information on plant species, rare birds, and unusual combination of fish found within the Des Moines park system.

More on the History of Gray's Lake

Activities On and Near Gray's Lake

Activities and Events within Gray's Lake Park 

Map of Gray's Lake

Union Park

Ride a carousel that harkens back to yesteryear!  The Heritage Carousel of Des Moines accommodates 35 riders on 30 animals and two chariots (wheelchair accessible) and is located in beautiful Union Park.  The carousel is located in Union Park at East 9th and Thompson.  The carousel is open May 24th through Labor Day weekend, from 12:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday through Sunday.  Cost for adult with child is fifty cents and $1.00 for adults.  Season passes are available for purchase and you can book your next birthday, reunion, business and organizational gathering online by visiting the  website or calling (515) 362-5958.  Be sure to take time to enjoy the rest of Union Park where you can splash in the wading pool, rent one of two cabins, play on the playground equipment, or just enjoy the spectacular view.

Sylvan Theater

Sylvan Theater was first opened in Greenwood Park in 1931 to a standing room only audience of approximately 1500 people. Renovated with new bench style seating in 2004, it is one of about 15 "local historic landmarks" within the City of Des Moines. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nestled in the shade of ancient towering oak trees, the outdoor amphitheater offers an oasis where one can reflect, view the beautiful surroundings, watch families and couples stroll, bike or play in the park.

Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden

This historic garden has been a favorite spot for gardeners, strollers, and wedding parties since the 1930s. It is an All-American Rose Selection Public Display Garden, one of 132 such gardens in the United States. You can find the Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden at Greenwood Park at 4800 Grand Avenue. It is located directly behind the Des Moines Art Center.

Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater

The Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater is located downtown just south of City Hall at East First between Locust and Walnut. This beautiful location has been used for fun runs and walks, bike rides, political campaigns, concerts, class reunions, and weddings. It is the perfect place for any outdoor activity!  Plan your next event at Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater just make sure you obtain all necessary permits.  The City of Des Moines has a licensed vendor to dispense alcoholic beverages.  User must work through this vendor if alcoholic beverages are to be available either for sale or at no cost to the guests.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park (13th – 15th St Grand to Locust) The City of Des Moines has an agreement with the Edmondson Art Center for this area. 

The interior of the park landscaping, benches, lights, sidewalks, signage, railings, and snow removal of interior sidewalks are taken care of by the Park and Recreation Department.  All art work is owned and maintained by Des Moines Art Center.  Des Moines Register article on Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Principal Riverwalk

Principal Park

Principal Park, formerly Sec Taylor Stadium, is a minor league baseball stadium located in Des Moines, Iowa.  It is the home field of the Pacific Coast League's Iowa Cubs.

Principal Park is located at the confluence of the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River in downtown Des Moines. The stadium seats 11,000 fans and has 45 luxury suites, 12 of which are in a building in left field that also houses the Cub Club restaurant. The Iowa State Capitol building is visible from beyond the center field fence, while some seats also provide views of the Des Moines skyline.

Asian Gardens

The Chinese Cultural Center of America built the beautiful Asian Garden.  This specifically designed garden includes a Chinese pagoda, a large pond, landscaped gardens, handcrafted lights and many granite sculptures.  The water for the pond comes from the Botanical Center; the large pumping system is maintained by the Park and Recreation department.  Visit the Chinese Cultural Center of America for more information. 

Botanical Center

Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is reaching out to the community and beyond to educate and promote awareness of high level horticulture and environmental stewardship through; positive partnerships, education programs, opportunities for tourism, a quality venue for social events and meetings, unified grounds and unique horticulture collections.

The Botanical Center is located at 909 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  For more information on upcoming events and displays visit the Botanical Center website.

Brenton Skating Plaza

Brenton Skating Plaza is a unique outdoor ice skating facility and family entertainment venue. Gifted by the Brenton Foundation, the facility is the first of its kind in the state of Iowa. Brenton Skating Plaza is located conveniently along The Principal Riverwalk on the Des Moines River waterfront. Stationed at 520 Robert D Ray Drive, it’s an integral part of the campaign to continue the reinvigoration of downtown Des Moines.

From November to March, the venue offers people of all ages the chance to ice skate in the open air, amid the snowflakes and under the stars. In the summer, the Brenton Skating Plaza transforms into an outdoor event center, playing host to community events, concerts, and other gatherings.