Inis Grove Park — Attraction in Ames

Wonderful Ames City Park with many amenities. Two large pavilions with electric are available to reserve for gatherings of 5 to 500. There are two play equipment areas for kids of all ages, there are public restrooms which are handicapped accessible, paved walking paths, dirt paths back into the woods that used to go to an old west style fort/play area, a large Tee-Pee and a series of tunnels dug a few feet into the Earth where kids could go in to dark, dank tunnels to play doctor or whatever kids played in the 70's, but, alas, those amenities were removed about 30 years ago because someone finally said, "wow, this is a huge liability for the City not to mention a veritable breeding ground for naughty behaviors in dark spaces." There is a path down the cliff leading to Ioway creek which runs at the bottom and if taken South, ends at Carr Pool...(sigh). Inis Grove is the new location of a BeatBall field for blind baseball. The changes are both dramatic and excellent quality for which Ames should be quite proud. Also, for anyone stuck in 1979, there are asphalt tennis courts with big cracks and weeds growing out of them which makes for court related faults on a fairly regular basis. There used to be a small hockey rink, but I don't think they do that any more. Also a great place to park and do car stuff. Like washing, waxing, *smoking pot, washing the windows, listening to the radio, horizontal mambo practice.

*consumption or possession of any cannabis products are illegal in Iowa, still, for some stupid reason and because of our Right Wing legislators who are all lacking the slightest sense of what reality smells like. So, don't do it. Or, do what you want. Whatever. It's a...

This park is an excellent location and has great facilities. Originally it was always known by everyone I know as the "fishy" park because it had a giant fish-shaped attachment to the playground. However, the park has now been completely redone and looks nothing like the original other than the geography. The new park has been specially designed for kids with special needs so everyone can find something to do! The park is also next to other parks and a trail leading into the woods that follows the stream as well as basketball and tennis courts. If you want to go on a picnic there is plenty of space in the many shelters in the area. Overall one of the best small playground-based parks in Ames, and possibly...

I'm traveling from out of town and needed a park to run my 6yr old in to burn off cabin fever. I was pleasantly shocked to find the soft padding around the play area is actually soft. I was in wedges and worried I might sink in a little too deep and lose my balance. While the park is advertised as being inclusive, I was yet again surprised to find more than just one "inclusive" swing. There were swings, spinning toys, and a swaying toy that looked very accommodating. My child is neither special needs, or in diapers, so I didn't need to use the increadably generous changing table, but I sure wished I had access to a table to grand...