Conservation

No Snow, No Problem

Published 2/20/2024 1:26:44 PM

Imagine the thrill of tubing down a giant hill with wind and moisture flying in your face -- in the middle of July! That imagined future is becoming a reality in Des Moines. Polk County Conservation is preparing for the grand re-opening of Sleepy Hollow Sports Park which will include the largest all-season, turf-surface tubing hill in the United States. 

“I’m really excited for the opportunity this new feature brings to the community,” said Jeff Condon, Leisure Services Manager for Polk County Conservation. “We’re getting an upper hand on mother nature, offering winter sports in any weather – making the park more available for visitors.” 

The all-season turf surface, called Snowflex, is a multi-layered, impervious material that will be continuously lubricated with water to allow sports equipment to glide across when not covered in snow. With construction of the hill nearly complete, the hill is estimated to be more than 600 feet long and 40 thousand square feet total.  

“We applaud Polk County Conservation for their creativity and fresh perspective on Sleepy Hollow. Thank you to the Polk County Board of Supervisors too for their support. This will be great for the local community and will also be a huge new attraction for visitors. In just one weekend, travelers from across the Midwest can skateboard at Lauridsen Skatepark one day then snowboard at Sleepy Hollow the next,” said Greg Edwards, President & CEO of Catch Des Moines. 

The planned rollout of winter sports in both warm and cold weather is part of Polk County Conservation’s phased approach to re-introducing Sleepy Hollow to the community. Acquired in September of 2022, the park has been closed to perform needed assessments and repairs on the property and equipment, as well as install the Snowflex surface. Once the all-season tubing hill is up and running, Conservation’s focus will shift to preparing for traditional snow-based recreation. Additionally, staff will be making decisions on remodeling the lodge facility, improving access, and expanding camping operations. Throughout this multi-year process, Polk County Conservation will continue to seek input from the surrounding community and winter-sports enthusiasts. 

The re-opening of Sleepy Hollow is scheduled for May 25th, 2024. You’ll be able to learn more at the website SleepyHollowSportsPark.com This is also where you’ll be able to purchase tickets and get all your questions answered related to safety and park operations. 

Need-to-know before you go: 

Opening Day:

  • May 25th, 2024

Location: 

  • 4051 Dean Ave. Des Moines, IA 50317

Hours of operation:  

  • Memorial Day – Labor Day 

Tickets:  

More details: 

  • SleepyHollowSportsPark.com