City of West Des Moines

Parks & Pools

Trails, parks, aquatic centers, and the programs that run in them.

Buy a pool pass, find your park, or sign up for a league. The City keeps more than 1,500 acres of parkland, including the 632-acre Raccoon River Park, and over 69 miles of biking and walking trails.

Aquatic Centers

Holiday Aquatic Center · 1701 Railroad Avenue · 515-273-0700
Valley View Aquatic Center · competitive lanes, diving, and family nights.

Passes and registration

Season passes, daily admission, and swimming lessons are bought through the City's PerfectMind account. You will finish the purchase there, and your pass is held in that account.

Buy a Pool Pass

Parks and Trails

Raccoon River Park wraps Blue Heron Lake with a beach, a nature lodge, and the trail network that runs west across the city. It links the neighborhood parks below.

High-angle aerial view of Willow Springs Park featuring a circular blue playground, winding paved walking trails, and open green space under a clear sky.
Willow Springs Park sits between the subdivisions, its new playground finished and the water tower on the skyline.
A vibrant playground at Jaycee Park featuring orange and white geometric beams, set against a backdrop of mature trees and a clear blue sky.
The climbing structure at Jaycee Park stands over red and blue poured surfacing in the fall.

Every Park in the City

The entrance sign for Scenic Valley Park, framed by the reaching branches of a large, leafless tree against a clear sky.
Trees frame the entrance sign at Scenic Valley Park.

Public Art in the Parks

The Public Arts Advisory Commission has been placing work in West Des Moines parks since 2011. The collection is outdoors, free, and open whenever the parks are.

Even Water
Even Water sits in the grass beside a City trail, seen here from above.

Trees and Natural Areas

Prairie restoration, the tree canopy, and the volunteer plantings that residents turn out for are all run out of Parks and Recreation.

Adults and children stand with shovels in front of a banner reading Iowa's First Mini-Forest.
Adults and children get ready to plant Iowa's first mini-forest.

Programs and Leagues

Adult leagues

Adult volleyball, softball, and the rest of the adult league schedule register through TeamSideline. Rosters, schedules, and rainouts are posted there once the season starts.

Register for a League

Facility Rentals

Shelters, the Valley Junction Activity Center, and meeting rooms are reservable through the same recreation account.