This 117-acre park rests on a portion of the former calvary post established on Army Post Road in 1903. Its centerpiece is a deep 13-acre lake, but the park also features two picnic shelters, a children's playground, and an arboretum.
More than half a century has passed since the Fort Des Moines Calvary Post made its home at the "Ritz Carlton of the Army". Formerly U.S. Government property, this parkland served as the first Officers' Training Camp for Black Students and the U.S. Women's Auxiliary Army Corps during World War II. Fort Des Moines Park officially became Polk County Conservation property in 1972.
Location
Des Moines South, South of Army Post Rd. on S.E. 5th St. (Just west of Southridge Shopping Mall)
7200 SE 5th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 323-5300
Features
- Arboretum
- Ball diamond
- Boating
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Shelters
- Nature Trail
Operating Hours & Seasons
Summer Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (sunset)