Gray's Lake Park — Attraction in Des Moines

It's a family-friendly park with beautiful views around the entire lake. There's a small beach for kids and families to swim at, and multiple spots to grill at without being directly on the trail, but not out in the woods. There's a playground, paddleboard rentals, and multiple picnic spots to host family get-togethers with a large amount of space to let the kids run around and have fun. They've added additional bike trails that connect you to local restaurants, bars, downtown DSM, Waterworks Park, West Des Moines, Norwalk, and pretty much anywhere you could imagine in Iowa. It's the perfect place to get a good, quick workout and feel safe while doing it. You'll see people rollerblading, biking, speed walking, etc. There is a vast diversity of people finding healthy ways to exercise, and I love it. Also, it's a beautiful location for senior photos, family pictures, etc. The expansion and development work around the area is forever growing, in the best way possible. I'm grateful that the City of Des Moines has continued to put the time, effort, and money into Gray's Lake and to make it into a beautiful place for all to enjoy and embrace. Gray's Lake has become the staple place for people on the Southside to focus on their health and well-being (mental and physical health). Whether you live in town or are visiting, you'll love your time checking out the scenery and taking in all the beauty that Gray's Lake...

If you are not familiar, this lake is notorious for hazards preventing you from going into the lake or fishing from the lake - I believe organ failure is it's main attraction...every year it seems. A well known tarnish to an otherwise great city. Des Moines deserves better than this.

Edit: After looking over so many reviews talking about fishing & children swimming in the water, reading this has become rather disturbing. I am not attacking this park out of some agenda - it's simply the facts. Iowa bodies of water rarely yield fish suitable for human consumption - it's a byproduct of our large agricultural output; nitrates are always high. The same for swimming, particularly Gray's Lake. Fleur (one of the busiest roads in Des Moines, connecting to the city's airport) runs very close to the water & seasonal rains often close it down because how easily it floods over. All that land contamination draws back into the Lake and it takes time to for the water to return to safe thresholds. Don't let your children swim in this water; find a water park or go to Adventureland with their recent large investment in water attractions. A season pass pays for itself after 2 visits if you buy one early season & you can enter an unlimited amount of times with it. Better than rolling the dice on whether your child will need to be placed on an organ donor waiting list from swimming in...

Very nice location, I love the concession stand ( the ability to buy ice cream, water and food is a big plus especially on a hot day ! ) and the ability to rent fishing poles, canoes, paddle boats, etc to enjoy some time out on the water. Honestly a very nice place to go for a walk and in general to get some outdoor exercise. The path around the lake however is a long one so I've gotta say plan on atleast an hour+ to walk around the whole thing. Biking could be very fun though and I plan on doing that for sure next time I stop by to visit this place (: . One danger I will say is the donation stand right close to the concession stand is home to a Wasp nest which resides right in the slot you put your money into so be careful of that !!! Really not the most sad thing to be around especially for those allergic to those kinds of stings, only plus side is a major hospital isn't to far from this lake, they should have workers taking care of dangers like that in the area considering children and families to visit this area often and a safety issue if anything. I understand it's outdoor but you gotta keep the place as safe as possible for visitors, after all...