Fairmeadows Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fairmeadows Park is a beautiful recreational park located in West Des Moines, Iowa.


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Summary

The park spans over 85 acres and is filled with natural beauty, including picturesque walking trails, scenic views, and an abundance of wildlife. There are several good reasons to visit Fairmeadows Park, including its family-friendly atmosphere, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and several points of interest to see.

One of the main attractions of Fairmeadows Park is its sports facilities, which include baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a disc golf course. The park also boasts a large playground area for children, a splash pad, and picnic shelters for families and groups.

There are numerous points of interest throughout the park, including the picturesque pond, the butterfly garden, and the sensory garden. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic walking trails and explore the natural areas surrounding the park.

Interesting facts about Fairmeadows Park include that it was once a farm owned by the city's former mayor, and it now serves as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park also hosts several community events throughout the year, including outdoor concerts, festivals, and nature walks.

The best time of year to visit Fairmeadows Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the outdoor activities are in full swing. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall and winter months when the leaves change color and the park transforms into a winter wonderland.

Overall, Fairmeadows Park is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in West Des Moines, Iowa. With its beautiful scenery, sports facilities, and points of interest, it's sure to be a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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