Welcome!

Des Moines’ parks system was begun in the late 1800s by a group of visionary citizen activists who began acquiring expansive green spaces along the city’s rivers and outlying areas for use as parkland by the general public in the pursuit of leisure activities and beauty.

Over 100 years and several generations later, active citizen stewards are still working to enhance and ensure the quality of life in Des Moines through maintenance and expansion of the city’s extensive park and recreation facilities and programming.

Des Moines has one of the greatest parks systems in the country and it takes people like those involved with the Friends of Des Moines Parks and you to make sure it is preserved and improved for future generations.

We invite you to find out more about us and then join our membership; after all, great cities need great parks and friends to go with them.