Stewart Square Park

A Green Retreat in the City

Found in downtown Des Moines, Stewart Square Park offers a cozy 1.9-acre escape for the Capitol East neighborhood. This modest green space offers plenty of shade trees, clean grounds, and a peaceful atmosphere when you need a break from city life. It's ideal for locals needing a quick nature fix or travelers passing through on I-80 who want to stretch their legs and breathe some fresh air.

Kid-Friendly Play Zone

The park features a modern playground for children. For the smallest adventurers, there are two toddler bucket swings that keep the tiny tots secure while they enjoy some swinging fun. The accessible playground structure ensures that all children can join in the excitement.

Older kids will gravitate toward the larger play structure with its climbing challenges and exploration opportunities. If you're planning a visit with children, the morning through early afternoon (roughly 9AM to 2:30PM) tends to be when the playground sees the most action.

Community Connections

A nice feature of this park is its small stage or performance area - where community events sometimes take place or where kids can pretend they're starring in their own show.

Scattered around the grounds are comfortable seating options, perfectly positioned under the shade trees for those moments when you just want to sit back with a good book or watch the world go by. The open grassy areas give you room to toss a frisbee or simply lie back and cloud-watch.

What You'll Find

When hunger strikes, head to the picnic area and make use of the shelter for a casual outdoor meal. There are drinking fountains available, but keep in mind they've occasionally been reported as out of order, so bringing your own water bottle might be a good backup plan.

One thing to note: there are no restrooms at this park, so plan accordingly.

Neighborhood Haven

Stewart Square Park isn't trying to be the biggest or flashiest green space in Des Moines - it's simply a reliable spot where neighborhood families can enjoy some outdoor time without venturing far from home. Its modest charms and convenient location make it particularly valuable for parents with kids who need to burn off some energy.

Just a heads-up: the park is bordered by busy streets on two sides, so keep a close eye on younger children while they're exploring this urban oasis.