Shady Playgrounds in the Des Moines, Iowa Area

When summer temperatures hit and your kids still need to get outside and play, check out these shady playgrounds around the Des Moines, Iowa area! This list is partially generated off of other folks’ suggestions; if you disagree or have more to add, please just leave a comment and I’ll happily include it in the notes. Shade can also vary due to the time of day, if I know when the pictures were taken I’ve included that note as well! As I add pictures and update with new pictures, you can subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the loop.

I know it isn’t always an option to make it to a shady park, so I’ll share some of the things that keep us from getting sunburned (knock on wood) when we are at sunny playgrounds.

Adel

Kinnick Feller Park in Adel

[pictures taken in the afternoon]

Altoona

Haines Park in Altoona

Des Moines

Tower Park in Des Moines

[no pictures yet]

Stewart Square Park in Des Moines

[photo courtesy of Des Moines Parks & Recreation]

Greenwood Park in Des Moines

• toddler playground and sprayground are both in full sun

[pictures taken in the morning]

Chamberlain Park in Des Moines

[pictures taken in the morning, courtesy of Christine G.]

[pictures taken in the morning, courtesy of Christine G.]

Drake Park in Des Moines

• shade is in morning only

Jordan Park in Des Moines

[picture courtesy of Christine G. and taken in the afternoon]

McHenry Park in Des Moines

• Sprayground is in full sun

[pictures taken in the morning]

Urbandale

Golfview Park in Urbandale

[photo courtesy of Urbandale Parks & Rec]

[photo courtesy of Urbandale Parks & Rec]

Lions Park in Urbandale

[pictures taken in the morning]

Coronado Park in Urbandale

[pictures courtesy of Christine G. and taken in the morning]

Golfview West Park in Urbandale

[photo courtesy of Urbandale Parks & Rec]

Colby Woods Open Space in Urbandale, Iowa

[photo courtesy of Urbandale Parks & Rec]

Ashleaf Park in Urbandale

Walker Johnston Park in Urbandale

• the main playground is mostly not, the baby swings are most of the day; but the toddler swings, wooden playscape and the second conventional playground that is closer to Hillsdale Dr. are

 

West Des Moines

Meadowview Park in West Des Moines

[pictures taken in the evening]

Legion Park in West Des Moines

• splash pad is in full sun, all day
• shade is in the morning only

[above pictures taken in the morning]

Clive

George Lundberg Park in Clive

[photo courtesy of Christine G., taken in the morning]

Linnan Park in Clive

• shade is in the afternoon only

Greenbelt Park (off 86th) in Clive

[pictures taken in the morning]

Greenbelt Park (off 100th) in Clive

• shade is in the afternon only

[picture courtesy of Clive Parks & Rec]

 

 Map:

You can see the full map with all parks, hiking trails, places to get wet, etc. on this page. This is a map only of the shady parks!

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