Summary
The park offers a variety of attractions and activities, making it a great place to visit for people of all ages.
One of the main draws of Fountain Square Park is the impressive fountain located at its center, which shoots water up to 100 feet in the air. Visitors can watch the fountain show or take a stroll around the park's walking path. Other points of interest include a playground for kids, a skate park for skateboarders, and a covered bridge that provides a great backdrop for photos.
There are also several events held in Fountain Square Park throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and art shows. Visitors can check the park's event calendar to see what's coming up.
In addition to its recreational offerings, Fountain Square Park has historical significance as well. The park was established in the late 1800s and has undergone several renovations over the years to become the popular destination it is today.
The best time of year to visit Fountain Square Park depends on personal preference. In the summer, visitors can enjoy warm weather and outdoor activities. Fall can be a beautiful time to visit, with the changing leaves providing a colorful backdrop. Winter brings snow and ice, which can be a great time for ice skating on the park's pond. And spring brings new growth and flowers blooming throughout the park.
Overall, Fountain Square Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Marshalltown or the surrounding area. With its variety of attractions and activities, visitors are sure to find something to enjoy no matter when they visit.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Legion City Park
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Viking Lake State Park Campground
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Viking Lake State Park
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