Warm weather is finally here and our summer boat rentals are open and ready to hit the water! Rent canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and more from Easter Lake Boat Rental and the Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center. Reserve your summer rental today!
UPDATE: June 9, 2021 | Water will be shut off at the Jester Park Playscape until further notice.
With help from the Great Outdoors Foundation, you can now invest in the environment and feel good about your choices with Conservation Credits.
Summer is about having fun and playing outside. Join PCC naturalists as they introduce your child to some fun outdoor activities which can be enjoyed the rest of their lives. Come to one or sign-up for an entire series. All equipment will be provided.
Bring your lunch and fishing gear as we visit a different Polk County pond each month during the summer to see what is biting. Bait and poles will be provided but, feel free to bring your own as well.
Explore Polk County’s biggest county park as we canoe through beautiful winding oxbows while enjoying the view and wildlife this park has to offer. We will cover basic safety and instruction. All equipment provided.
Get outside this summer with our Fun in the Sun Challenge - kicking off on July 5 - and WIN!
Why walk the mall when you can be enjoying the great outdoors? Hike along with this friendly group of nature lovers who walk the trails each month for exercise and fun.
We are pleased to announce that funding for the Trestle to Trestle Bridge replacement has been secured. This bridge is the connector between the cities of Johnston and Des Moines and a key element of the very popular urban Trestle to Trestle Trail.
Take time to unwind as the sun sets on the outdoor plaza of the Jester Park Nature Center. The class will begin with a short nature hike to give participants a chance distress and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Work to expand the pond parking lot at Thomas Mitchell Park to add 24 addition parking spots has begun. Construction is anticipated to be completed by Friday, June 18, 2021.
Discover the wonders of nature and unlock some of nature’s mysteries. How does a snake catch it’s food? Can a lizard really regrow its tail? Whose footprints were left in the mud? Bring your nature detective skills for two days of discovery.