Water Works Park

Size and Location

At 1,500 acres, Water Works Park is one of the most expansive urban green spaces in the country - nearly twice the size of New York City's Central Park, which is pretty impressive for Iowa. The park sits southwest of downtown Des Moines, stretching from Fleur Drive all the way west to 63rd Street.

The Raccoon River forms a natural northern boundary, while George Flagg Parkway runs along the southern edge.

Dual Purpose

What makes this park particularly unique is its double life. Yes, it's a beautiful recreational space, but it's also working hard behind the scenes.

Since the 1920s and 30s, this land has served as the first water source for Des Moines Water Works, helping to meet the drinking water needs of around 500,000 Greater Des Moines residents. The organization originally acquired this upstream land to protect the Raccoon River water source - environmental foresight that gave us the wonderful park we enjoy today.

Features and Attractions

Wandering through Water Works Park, you can find a mix of open spaces, wooded areas, and well-maintained trails ideal for a morning jog or afternoon stroll. During spring, don't miss the Arie den Boer Arboretum - one of the world's largest collections of flowering crabapple trees.

Named in 1961 in honor of the arborist who spent years developing it, the arboretum holds around 1,200 individual trees representing roughly 300 varieties. Des Moines Water Works staff continue the work of pruning and propagating the collection, and when it blooms the display of colors and shapes can make even amateur photographers look like pros.

If fishing is your thing, you're in luck - the park has multiple spots along the river and several ponds. The extensive network of both paved and unpaved trails is great for walkers, runners, and cyclists looking to get some exercise without leaving the city.

Recreation and Amenities

The trails throughout Water Works Park connect to the broader Des Moines trail system, meaning you can extend your outdoor adventure well beyond park boundaries if you're feeling ambitious. There's a wooden playground near the amphitheater - a nice change from typical plastic play structures.

Planning a gathering? You can find numerous picnic areas scattered around the park, complete with tables and shelter houses that can be reserved ahead of time. Your four-legged friends are welcome too - the park is dog-friendly with plenty of open spaces for them to explore, though you'll need to keep them leashed on the paved trails.

Events and Connections

The Lauridsen Amphitheater, completed in May 2019 at a cost of $1.9 million, has quickly become one of Des Moines' premier outdoor music venues. Its most striking design element is an ellipse-shaped canopy made from color-shifting aluminum composite material, supported by two intertwining steel legs styled to resemble tree limbs. With capacity for events hosting anywhere from 2,000 to 25,000 people, it also serves as the main stage for the 80/35 Music Festival, which relocated here from Western Gateway Park downtown. On the south side of the complex, the smaller Killinger Family Stage handles more intimate events for fewer than 2,000 people.

Just east of the amphitheater, the Des Moines Biergarten offers a relaxed spot to enjoy craft beers during warmer months - a good place to unwind after a day on the trails. One of the more eye-catching features is the illuminated tunnel under Fleur Drive that connects Water Works Park to the neighboring Gray's Lake Park, popular with local photographers after dark.

The park doesn't go quiet when temperatures drop, either. Every winter, Jolly Holiday Lights transforms the grounds into a seasonal light display, drawing visitors who might otherwise stick indoors during the colder months.

Natural Beauty

Perhaps what makes Water Works Park truly special is its abundant natural beauty. The mix of open fields, dense woods, and peaceful waterways creates diverse ecosystems all within city limits.

It's an excellent spot for birdwatching, photography, or simply finding a quiet moment amid nature. The sunsets here are genuinely spectacular, casting golden light across the landscape. And as the seasons change, so does the park's personality - from spring blossoms to summer greenery, fall foliage, and winter's serene stillness, each visit offers something new to discover.