News and Announcements
Conservation Promoted
Jester Park Playscape Water Turned Off for Repairs
Water will be shut off at the Jester Park Playscape until Memorial weekend due to water line repairs.
Conservation Promoted
Summer Boat Rentals
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!
Conservation Promoted
Invest in the Environment with Conservation Credits
With help from the Great Outdoors Foundation, you can now invest in the environment and feel good about your choices with Conservation Credits.
Conservation News
Young Nature Photographers Photo Contest
Do you have a young photographer in your family? Then head out to Thomas Mitchell Park with them from June 1 - June 30 to take photos of the landscape, wildlife, plants, flowers, or people outside enjoying nature and enter them to WIN!
Conservation News
FREE Dew Tour Ticket Reservations Now Open
FREE Dew Tour Tickets to attend sessions are available now. You MUST download the Dew Tour app to purchase FREE tickets to view sessions. Tickets do NOT have to be purchased to visit vendors, purchase merchandise, or check out the pump track.
Conservation News
Jester Park Nature Center Now Open
The Jester Park Nature Center reopened to the public with limited hours, modified accommodations, and restrictive guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.
Conservation News
Oralabor Gateway Trail Closure & Reroute
Oralabor Gateway Trail from Oralabor to NW 70th Street will be closed beginning April 26th thru Fall 2021. This closure is due to the road widening of NW 26th project.
Conservation News
Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center Reopening to the Public
The Jester Park Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center is reopening to the public and will resume normal hours (Saturday 10-4 and Sunday noon-4) through Memorial Day Weekend.
Conservation News
Prescribed Burning Season (March 22 - May 7)
Prescribed burn season has arrived! Our Natural Resource Crews will be conducting prescribed burning in our parks and trails as weather allows beginning the week of March 22 – May 7.
Conservation News
Trestle to Trestle Bridge to be Replaced in 2022
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.
Conservation News
Funding Needed for New Jester Park Nature Center Exhibit
Donations are being sought to create a lithic (stone) artifact exhibit at the Jester Park Nature Center to educate visitors about Iowa's archaeological past.
Conservation News
COVID-19 Operations Update
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2021 | Jester Park Nature Center, parks, trails, and campgrounds are open! Read below for the most up-to-date COVID-19 notifications.
Conservation News
Polk County Designated a Bird Friendly Community
Bird Friendly Iowa announced that Polk County is among the first counties in Iowa to be designated as a Bird Friendly Community.
Conservation News
Relying on Nature Through Polk County Conservation
While the way we interact with others may be a little different right now in our world, the importance of getting outdoors and interacting with nature remains the same. Let nature become your refuge during this difficult time.