Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge
Des Moines Outdoor Fun wants to get you outdoors 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.
This year the challenge will look a bit different due to the events happening around our world. To provide safety to the families participating we purposely chose parks that offer hiking, fishing, and water play. These parks’ main focus is not their playground although some may offer a playground. As the Summer continues playgrounds may or may not open, but we wanted to make sure we included parks that offer so much more.
The Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge will kick-off on June 5 and run until August 16. During this period of time, we encourage everyone to visit all 30 parks on our list!
Parks
Download the official list and cross them off as you go!
- Terra Park: Johnston
- Water Works Park: Des Moines
- Brenton Arboretum: Dallas Center
- Jester Park: Granger
- Yellow Banks State Park: Pleasant Hill
- Brown’s Woods Forest: West Des Moines
- Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge: Prairie City
- Pammel State Park: Winterset
- Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt: Maxwell
- Easter Lake: Des Moines
- Clanton Creek Recreation: Winterset
- Walnut Woods: West Des Moines
- Zo-El Annett Woods: Prole
- Elk Rock State Park: Knoxville
- Winterset City Park: Winterset
- Thomas Mitchell Park: Mitchellville
- Ewing Park: Des Moines
- Kuehn Conservation: Earlham
- Middle River Park: Winterset
- Lake Ahquabi: Indianola
- The Enabling Garden: Altoona
- Lundy Acres: Indianola
- Voas Nature Area: Minburn
- Strasser Woods State Preserve: Des Moines
- Dale Maffitt Reservoir: Des Moines
- Sycamore Trail: Des Moines
- Woodland Mounds: Ackworth
- Summerset State Park: Carlisle
- Margo Frankel Woods: Des Moines
- Hanging Rock Park: Redfield
Interactive Map
Rules
- Visit a park on the Central Iowa Trek the Parks list and post a photo of you at the park using hashtag #DSMOFTrektheParks20 on Facebook or Instagram.
- If you visit and post on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag of all 30 parks you will be entered in to win the grand prize.
- If you visit and post on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag of at least 10 parks you will be entered in to win a prize.
- All winners will be randomly chosen and finalized by August 23, 2020. We will post the winning list above and how to claim your prize at that time.
- Participants will be responsible for filling out this form. This will make it easier for me to contact winners and keep track of who is participating. Winners will also be posted on THIS page!
- NOTE: Please make sure all social media platforms are set as public, not private, so we are able to see your photos and hashtags.
2020 Trek the Parks WINNERS!
Grand Prize – Mud Kitchen designed and built by Helps Homestead.
- Randi Rahn
One year membership to The Brenton Arboretum
- Jill White
Gift package from Tinkergarten
- Jaime Moir
$50 gift certificate to Active Endeavors
- Kristi Brokaw
$50 gift certificate to REI
- Jonette McQuide
Thank you to all of our sponsors including our Platinum Sponsors: Art Terrarium