Raccoon River Park — Attraction in West Des Moines

Playground! The new all inclusive playground is finished! I love that there’s an area that’s geared towards crawlers! My 12mo isn’t walking yet and he had so much fun. They used a fake grass for the little area and then that bouncy flat surface for the other areas. There’s a lot to do! I like and don’t like how spread out it is. I like that you don’t feel like you’re on top of people because it’s spread out but that does make it difficult to keep an eye on your kids. There is the best rope climbing center I’ve ever seen, the slide is big enough to be fun but not so big like other parks that get almost too high for little kids comfort. The bathrooms are still there and the shelters with lots of picnic tables. Regular swings in the swing area and 2 bucket swings over in the little kid area. It’s a really pretty view with so many trees and being raccoon River beachside. Cons making this 4 stars that I understand are relative. Bigger kids kept coming to play in the little kid area, I had to have my head on swivel and quick reflexes to make sure my little ones fingers aren’t stepped on or that he was knocked over. It’s spread out in a way that I can’t see all areas from a single point, I just told my kids to keep checking in with me as they played or I went and found them to check in. It was busy, I know as the newness wears off it will be more “normal”. My kids had a lot of fun! It was just a little more stressful than I was anticipating because of how busy it was. Make sure you check it out and if crowds stress you out plan your visit during slow times if you can. (Early morning / during...

My husband and I love to night fish due to him having heart failure and it being very difficult for him to be out exposed to the sun during the day. So we looked up fishing places near us and online it states that Raccoon river fishing pier is open 24 hours. Well we decided to go and we get there and no sooner are we getting ready to throw our poles in here comes a rent-a-cop. Tells us "folks the park closes in 10 minutes" my husband proceeded to tell him that it stated that the pier was open 24 hours. Well this rent-a-cop clearly not an out doors man won't engage or acknowledge what my husband has said but again says "the park closes in 10 minutes and all the gates will close and lock". It's one thing if it's posted closes at 1030 quite another when it's posted and enforcing...

There are so many positive things I could say about this park, where to begin.. this park has been my number 1 choice for 10+ years. There's fishing boating/kayaking, soccer, grilling picnic tables and shelters, fireworks on the 4th, baseball games, a dog park, a bike trail, a beach and swimming area, playground for the kids. Pretty much all of your evening outdoor activities. I would probably rate this the best park in Des Moines. The fishing is good and peaceful, with numerous places around the lake to fish, the water is calm and child friendly (obviously still watch your children closely, accidents can happen in a matter of seconds) but I find peace fishing in a calm environment. All of the other outdoor activities are icing on the cake. Overall a 5 star park...