Union Park

Kid loved both sections. 4 and under and the 5-12. Had a spaceship/obstacle course feel to it. My kid said we're headed to planet earth! Parts are hard to get into if you need to grab your kid out, lol, and I'm 5ft, but a bit round.

I take my granddaughter to the park to play, they have two different play areas for different age groups and has a wading pool as well as a splash pad. She loves it! and it has a shelter house with picnic area as well. Nice and clean. Depending on the cleanliness of the patrons, the bathrooms are nice as well. Plenty of parking and it's close.

Beautiful park, especially love the wide open fields and old trees in the south half and northeast corners of the park. Opens to the marina and onto Birdland Drive. I feel lucky to live so close to it.

Lots of other attractions here too.

Union Park is quite big.
1. Three different playing places
2. One splash pad
3. Large areas of grass and trees
4. Historic carnival ride
5. Picnic areas with tables.
6. One bathroom area.

Good amount of open space. Multiple playgrounds. Merry-go-round on site as well. The park seems decently maintained and there is ample parking.

Beautiful park with lots of different spaces for kids to play. Three different playgrounds, a splash pad, heritage carousel (only 50 cents a ride!), and plenty of open grass. There are bathrooms by the splash pad, but if you don't want your kids touching EVERYTHING inside, I'd maybe plan a bathroom stop before your visit, especially if you want them to change to use the splash pad (they're typical public parks restrooms so can't expect much!). Overall, though, great park I'd be happy to visit with kids again!

The rocket slide is a favorite from
My childhood! I’m glad to see it’s being renovated. The carousel is another classic. Love to walk my dog in the park with all the mature trees and shaded paths.

We recently hosted a community event there with free fall photos.

Union park is a spot that brings back many childhood memories for residents of Des Moines. The size of this park is enough to entertain many families at once. There are 2 playgrounds, shelters with bbq grills, restrooms, and of course the historic rocket slide. There is also a wading pool tennis court, and a carousel. The carousel is closed at this time though. The park is well manicured and has a large open area for any outdoor games. When winter rolls around, bring your sleds and snowboards to the park. There are at least two nice sized hills to keep both kids and adults entertained. This park is one of the better parks in the city because it has so much to offer at all times of the year. Enjoy!!!

Nice park, sad that the rocket playset was vandalized and partially out of commission. Kiddos had a good time on the other playsets though.

Very nice been there since I was very young. It's very well kept. Kids love it.

Union Park has several different play structures designed for different ages/abilities which are uniquely designed of the DSM parks. There's also a splash pad, the rocket slide (which is currently out of commission), lots of green space and trees. My kids enjoyed the structure and then settled into playing with mulch haha.

Beautiful clean and perfect

Acres of open land for bbqs, picnics, the splash pad, carousel, tennis, playgrounds, etc. A great place for all ages

Des Moines hidden gem! Located 1.2 miles north of the state capitol complex, features historic rocket slide, heritage carousel, wading pool, bike and jogging trails, river views, marina and more.

Excellent park for the Rollin Relics and Carousel Car show in August.

This has been a favorite park of mine for many years! I hung out here when I was younger and my kids love it now! I love the updated play equipment and the splash pool is amazing!! I can't wait until they finish fixing the rocket slide! That's the best part of the whole park! I also enjoy the carousel! Wish that would have been there when I was younger!!

This park was so much fun to visit. My girls enjoyed the carousel 🎠, the unique playground equipment and the splash pad that doubles as a shallow toddler pool! My children were offered a free lunch here as well as part of a free lunch program, for children who are school aged in Des Moines. That was so so neat since I was in the middle of taking my children's sandwich orders to go make them lunch while they continued to enjoy this swimming area at the park when I was invited to have free sandwiches with them, on site! My daughter really loved playing on the playground equipment bc it was truly unique to any equipment we've ever played on and didn't want to leave even after a few hours of play she still was not quite ready to leave when we were. The restrooms were relatively clean considering they were public, park restrooms and they're single restrooms that hold one person or family at a time with a lock behind you. The women's restroom includes a changing table as well that was clean looking. Parking here was not far from the play areas and was decorated by beautiful displays of flowers and foliage. I saw fliers for some fun, neat, family friendly events that I would attend if I lived in Des Moines, I would take my children to go see and do since they seemed worthwhile. If you're thinking of visiting this park then you should definitely check it out as it is 100% an awesome experience and will not disappoint your little ones! Des Moines is a fun place to play!

From the rocket slide to the historic carousel across the park. There is plenty to do here with family and friends. Shelters are easy to access. Plenty of park space for people to enjoy the outdoors on the Northside of Des Moines. We rented out the southern part of the park for Party in the Park and it was a great space to show love to the neighborhood and community. Wading pools are always fun to take little children and big children's programs to enjoy some nice sun time. Good tennis court. Playgrounds are both great to play on as kids and adults. What a Des Moines gem!

If you don't take your children to a rocket ship park at least once before the planet heats to the point the metal slide gives immediate 3rd degree burns, you really are shorting their childhood. Their grandchildren, you're great-grandchildren deserve the stories of the good old days when they're living underground due in an apocalyptic nightmare.

Best place to break your wrist