Reichardt Family Natural Play Area located in Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa consists of many fun things to do including biking, hiking, fishing, and much more. It also has a fun natural play area near the Lauridsen Amphitheater.
Information:
Name: Reichardt Family Natural Play Area
Address: 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Type: Places to take a walk, bike, and play
Bathrooms: Yes
Shade: Yes, shade trees intermittently
Playground: Yes, natural playground
Trails: Yes. Bike trails run through the area and take you under the bridge to Gray’s Lake Park.
Water: Yes. Drinking fountain.
Other notes: Contains the Arie Den Boer Arboretum with lots of flowering crabapples and the Dale Maffitt Reservoir with a grass nature trail. Park map found here. Picturesque hanging rope swing in the park – directions found in the spring 2017 blog post linked below.
Official Website: http://www.dmww.com/parks-events/water-works-park/
DSMOF Blog posts:
If you’re looking for other places to get outside, check back in with the interactive map!
Pictures:
This park is full of fun! The kids loved playing “the floor is lava” due to all the wood branches and climbing opportunities around.
Bring your sand toys! There is a fun little sandbox to play in.
The play area is surrounded by tons of bike and walking trails. It is also near the Lauridsen Amphitheater. We packed a lunch and ate lunch on the stage. The kids thought that was pretty fun!
There is an area where there are light bulbs which I believe light up at night. The kids loved running through this area. It is also a cute place for a photo opp!
There is a modern, flush bathroom available along with drinking fountains. If you take the bike/walking path East you can go under the bridge to Gray’s Lake which offers a whole bunch of fun opportunities.
There is not much shade near the play area, but there are tons of beautiful trees not far that provide plenty of shade and fun areas to play.
