Welcome
to Polk County Conservation! We invite you to explore over 15,000 acres of
prairie, wetlands, woodlands, trails and parkland. Polk County
Conservation offers year-round educational programs, volunteer opportunities
and trips to the public.
The
Polk County Conservation Board's mission is to provide the citizens of Polk
County with quality outdoor recreation, conservation education, and long term
protection of Polk County's natural heritage.
Many exciting park and trail improvements are happening in Polk County thanks in part to the Polk County Water and Land Legacy bond referendum that was again supported by voters in November of 2022. This may result in closed recreation areas due to construction.
We encourage the public to stay involved and updated on these improvements by regularly visiting our website at here.
Polk County Conservation Administration Offices
12130 NW 128th St.
Granger, Iowa 50109
Office hours:
Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (515) 323-5300
Fax: (515) 323-5354
Email: pccb_info@polkcountyiowa.gov
Website: www.leadingyououtdoors.org
Jester Park Nature Center
12130 NW 128th St.
Granger, Iowa 50109
Visit the website for current hours
Phone: (515) 323-5350
Email: jpnc_info@polkcountyiowa.gov
Website: www.jesterparknaturecenter.com
Activities in Polk County
- Tent & RV Camping
- Hiking Trails
- Horseback Riding
- Canoeing & Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Birding
- Trail Running
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Picnicking
- Hunting & Fishing
- Educational Programming
- Bison & Elk Herds
- Equestrian Trails & Camping
- Nature Center
- Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center
Many of our events are free and open to the public. More information on our educational programs, events, camps and trips can be found on our website calendar at
Polk County Conservation calendar.
Facilities in Polk County
- Jester Park Nature Center, click here to visit the Jester Park Nature Center website
- Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center, click here to visit the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center website
- Open shelters in six parks
- Jester Park Lodge
- Jester Park Amphitheater and Mini Shelter
- Jester Park Cabins
- Thomas Mitchell Cabin
- Yellow Banks Cabins
- Chichaqua Longhouse
- Numerous campsites in four parks
- Lauridsen Skatepark
- Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex
Visit our website for more information: www.LeadingYouOutdoors.org
Parks in Polk County
Beaver Creek Greenbelt
|
Polk
|
9631 NW 121St
515-323-5300
| Granger | IA | 50109 |
9631 NW 121St 515-323-5300 Granger, IA 50109 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Brown's Woods
|
Polk
|
195 SE Brown's Woods Ct.
515-249-1543
| West Des Moines | IA | 50265 |
195 SE Brown's Woods Ct. 515-249-1543 West Des Moines, IA 50265 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Carney Marsh
|
Polk
|
698 SE 54th St.
515-323-5300
| Ankeny | IA | 50021 |
698 SE 54th St. 515-323-5300 Ankeny, IA 50021 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
|
Polk
|
8700 NE 126 Avenue
515-967-2596
| Maxwell | IA | 50161 |
8700 NE 126 Avenue 515-967-2596 Maxwell, IA 50161 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Chichaqua Valley Trail
|
Polk
|
8123 NE 88th St
515-323-5300
| Bondurant | IA | 50035 |
8123 NE 88th St 515-323-5300 Bondurant, IA 50035 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Easter Lake Park
|
Polk
|
2830 Easter Lake Drive
515-249-1543
| Des Moines | IA | 50320 |
2830 Easter Lake Drive 515-249-1543 Des Moines, IA 50320 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Engeldinger Marsh
|
Polk
|
11821 NE 118 Ave.
515-323-5300
| Maxwell | IA | 50161 |
11821 NE 118 Ave. 515-323-5300 Maxwell, IA 50161 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Fort Des Moines Park
|
Polk
|
7200 SE 5th St
515-249-1543
| Des Moines | IA | 50315 |
7200 SE 5th St 515-249-1543 Des Moines, IA 50315 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Four Mile Creek Greenbelt
|
Polk
|
3769 NE 54th Ave
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50317 |
3769 NE 54th Ave 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50317 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Gay Lea Wilson Trail
|
Polk
|
University Avenue
515-323-5300
| Pleasant Hill | IA | 50317 |
University Avenue 515-323-5300 Pleasant Hill, IA 50317 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Great Western Trail
|
Polk
|
George Flagg Parkway
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50321 |
George Flagg Parkway 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50321 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
High Trestle Trail
|
Polk
|
804 W 1st St
515-323-5300
| Ankeny | IA | 50023 |
804 W 1st St 515-323-5300 Ankeny, IA 50023 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Jester Park
|
Polk
|
12130 NW 128th Street
515-323-5300
| Granger | IA | 50109 |
12130 NW 128th Street 515-323-5300 Granger, IA 50109 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Lauridsen Skatepark
|
Polk
|
901 2nd Avenue
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50309 |
901 2nd Avenue 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50309 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Mally's Weh-Weh-Neh-Kee Park
|
Polk
|
5792 NE Berwick Drive
515-967-4889
| Berwick | IA | 50032 |
5792 NE Berwick Drive 515-967-4889 Berwick, IA 50032 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Oralabor Gateway Trail
|
Polk
|
2803 SW Glenbrooke Blvd
515-323-5300
| Ankeny | IA | 50023 |
2803 SW Glenbrooke Blvd 515-323-5300 Ankeny, IA 50023 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Polk County Education Programs
|
Polk
|
12130 NW 128th Street
515-323-5339
| Granger | IA | 50109 |
12130 NW 128th Street 515-323-5339 Granger, IA 50109 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
|
Polk
|
4051 Dean Avenue
515-262-4100
| Des Moines | IA | 50317 |
4051 Dean Avenue 515-262-4100 Des Moines, IA 50317 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Strasser Woods State Preserve
|
Polk
|
1552 E 36th Street
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50317 |
1552 E 36th Street 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50317 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Sycamore Trail
|
Polk
|
2309 Euclid Ave
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50310 |
2309 Euclid Ave 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50310 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Thomas Mitchell Park
|
Polk
|
GPS address: 4520 NE 108 St.
515-967-4889
| Mitchellville | IA | 50169 |
GPS address: 4520 NE 108 St. 515-967-4889 Mitchellville, IA 50169 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Trestle to Trestle Trail
|
Polk
|
2309 Euclid
515-323-5300
| Des Moines | IA | 50310 |
2309 Euclid 515-323-5300 Des Moines, IA 50310 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|
Yellow Banks Park
|
Polk
|
6801 SE 32nd Ave.
515-266-1563
| Pleasant Hill | IA | 50327 |
6801 SE 32nd Ave. 515-266-1563 Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 Polk »Map Location
|
Map Location
|