Easter Lake Park

Biking at Easter Lake Park

The 6.2 mile Mark C. Ackelson Trail winding around Easter Lake provides an ideal place for outdoor recreation and scenic views for park visitors. Cycling, skating and hiking opportunities along the trail lie adjacent to playground equipment, fishing complete with an accessible pier, boat ramp and several picnic areas. The trail rides through Owen's Covered Bridge on the southern lake shore, Polk County's only covered bridge. The portion of the trail that encircles the lake is a 4 mile loop. Parking and trail access is available from any of the shelters and parking lots located throughout Easter Lake Park as well as at the beach. The north side of the trail is accessible from the Ewing Park Dog Park.

The trail's namesake, Mark C. Ackelson, served as president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for 18 years as well as provided leadership in several conservation coalitions and alliances. Ackelson's devoted passion for land, water and wildlife served in helping the INHF to protect and restore 145,000 acres of Iowa's natural areas in addition to providing hundreds of miles of trails in an effort to support local trailside communities and get Iowans outdoors.