Point of Interest: Experience Iowa's Great Outdoors

from Fresh Pickings Magazine | Winter 2020

Wellness Tips: Keep Moving this Winter

Jester Park offers endless opportunities to learn, play and explore this winter.

By Haley Banwart / Photos by Joseph L. Murphy

Ah, the great outdoors. Fresh air, stunning views and an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. It’s a calling residents and visitors in the Des Moines metro area can fully experience at Jester Park, one of central Iowa’s oldest and most popular outdoor playgrounds.

Located along the western shore of Saylorville Lake, the park consists of 1,700 acres of glacially formed landscape including woodlands, wetlands and reconstructed native prairie.

While the park has been open to the public since 1958, funds raised through the passage of the 2012 Polk County Water and Land Legacy Bond referendum have increased access and visibility to park activities.

Today, two permanent facilities, the Jester Park Nature Center and the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center, offer endless opportunities for visitors to learn, play and explore.

**Jester Park is home to 5 miles of trails for cross country skiiers.**

“Our vision was to create a gateway experience that would inspire Iowans to get back to nature and expose them to different types of outdoor recreation,” says Kami Rankin, Polk County Conservation community relations coordinator. “Thanks to public and private contributions, that vision was brought to life.”

Since the grand opening of the new facilities in August 2018, the park has attracted close to 1 million visitors and nearly doubled public programming.

ACTIVITIES FOR ALL

The Jester Park Nature Center invites visitors of all ages to engage in outdoor activities, participate in park programming and learn about Iowa’s natural heritage.

The center features educational exhibits, art galleries, meeting rooms and a peaceful viewing deck complete with spotting scopes.

Adjacent from the Jester Park Nature Center is the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center. It was created to teach visitors about outdoor recreation and equip them for their next adventure.

Inside, park-goers can try their hand at archery or target shooting, gear up for a day of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or test their strength and agility in the Petra Alward Bouldering Room, Jester Park’s newest recreational feature.

WINTER WEATHER FUN

Jester Park offers a wide range of wintertime activities for families to enjoy.

“Winter is a wonderful time to go on a hike, observe wildlife and enjoy the quiet and stillness of the season,” says Rankin.

The park has a variety of programs, including ice fishing clinics, sleigh rides and riding lessons at the equestrian center, a live bison and elk herd educational plaza, and volunteer opportunities. Plus, 5 miles of trails for cross-country skiers.

Four heated rental cabins furnished with modern amenities are also available for visitors looking to reserve a relaxing weekend getaway. An intentional lack of television and Wi-Fi allow guests to completely unplug and unwind.

“One thing I think often surprises park visitors is how refreshing it is to find yourself completely immersed in nature,” says Rankin. “As Iowans, we have a long-standing tradition of sharing a respect for the land. Through education, conservation and recreation, we gain a deeper understanding of our natural resources and become better stewards.”