Supporting and Promoting West Des Moines Parks, Trails, and Recreation Programs

"Celebrate West Des Moines with this vibrant art print, a passion project inspired by the places we call home. Since WDM is our own backyard, we illustrated our favorite local landmarks—the Athene Bridge, Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, Legion Park, and Southwoods Park—into one joyful tribute to our community." - Bozz Prints

We’re also proud to share that this piece was commissioned by the Friends of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation. A portion of every sale goes directly back to them, helping support the trails and parks that make our city so special.

Milkweed Matters: Seedball Workshop, was a wonderful success! We made 1,000 seedballs for Ragbrai riders to distribute along the 2026 route this July. It was inspiring to see community members come together to support pollinators and learn more about the importance of milkweed in our ecosystem from the director of Milkweed Matters, Nancy Crews. 

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and helped make this event meaningful. Stay tuned for future Friends volunteer events.

Transport yourself to another era and follow in the footsteps of those who lived before at LEGACY WOODS. This one-of-a-kind living history attraction will immerse you in West Des Moines' storied past while planting seeds for the future. As you stroll beneath age-old trees, you’ll imagine the generations who walked these trails and helped shape this community's legacy. 

The West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department has put forth plans to develop five signature projects that will transform our parks from everyday places - to places of everyday wonder. 

Our goal is to give residents and visitors of all ages and abilities new ways to paddle, dance, relax, run, explore, climb, cycle, and walk (and more) in the great outdoors. Let's take a look at how the Five Waters Project will add more life to your life.

Are you tired of seeing trash in a park or on a trail near your home?  Are you ready to do something about it? Now you or your local group can adopt one of West Des Moines' parks or trails and help make a difference in the community!

The West Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department offers a volunteer-led ambassador program at Raccoon River Dog Park (2500 Grand Avenue) to help establish a positive and friendly dog park culture. The program builds relationships between dog park visitors and the City of West Des Moines and is an integral piece in dog park public relations.

If you would like to donate a bench to be placed in a City park, trail or other City facility, please call 515-222-3447 or email Eric Doll, Park Planner, for more information.

Caring for our city's environment is one of the most important things we can do to keep our community healthy and livable.

Residents and business owners can get involved with small steps that really add up.

Learn more about the programs and services the city provides to sustain our green spaces, waterways, and air.