Birdland Park

Des Moines hidden gem. Located on the bank of the Des Moines River. Rocket slide. Heritage Carousel, wading pool, tennis courts, Birdland Marina. Union Park Place Guest House located across the street.

This place has nice equipment for the younger kids -- two sets! My son enjoys the smaller playground along with the swing. He also likes the marina nearby. I have yet to explore the trails.

Just a hop away from Union Park, which has some awesome stuff -- you can easily visit both if you're in the area.

Beautiful place, calmed place. Looks like the best place to have parties.

Went fishing on the dock. There are a couple of parks close by for children to play. There is also a carousel that has been around for years. Lots of picnic places, restrooms and water area for kids.

I love watching the bald eagle family New years they turned into a Phoenix that is magic
❤ 🤍 💙

Nice place if you just need to unwind a bit and go for a nice walk. People were friendly

Couldn't help but sit and watch for an hour as these beautiful Pelicans went about their business in the park marina.

I'm a big kid at heart. I love getting under the water sprinklers and getting soaked. It helps me to stay cool with all the hot weather we've been having.

Did not see one single bird using the park nor was any albatross birds welcoming me like in the secret of nimh

Public restrooms, a marina, a free boat ramp and parking, a nearby park, playground, and bar. This location is smaller in size and not as well known, but it's a great spot. Bring out the boat! Right across the street from the Historic Carousel and Historic Rocket Slide park/splash pool.

Always a great bike ride.
Lots of construction there now, though.
Bike carefully and joyfully!

Went today for the spring pelican migration. How cool!

Great! Jesse & Medicine Men. Ordered food & brought to us outside!!

I'm, working here and it seems like a nice quit place, especially if we weren't here making all the noise we do.

I'll be back time and time again

I take my dog there. She loves it

I love Birdland Park walk/bike trail with many parks within walking distance.
(THIS REVIEW INCLUDES UNION PARK, DING A LING DARLING PARK, RIVERVIEW PARK, McHENRY PARK and CAPTAIN ROY'S RESTAURANT/BAR).
Just south of the boat dock, you can eat/drink at Captain Roys Restaurant/bar. There in the same lot, is the boat ramp to the Des Moines River. Walk or bike the trail along the river & you will see ducks, boats/jet ski's, people fishing & if you are lucky, eagles.
ONE of the close parks is Ding A Ling Darling right across the street north of boat dock with a large enclosed shelter to rent, that is right along the lagoon with a small playground area, and just across the street east and up the hill, you have the SECOND park, Union Park with the Musical Carousel (50¢), a large enclosed rental shelter, Giant Rocket Slide, tennis court, swing sets & two kiddie playgrounds with a swim area with benches (in the sun) & several round tables (in the shade), and also an open shelter with restrooms, right next to the pool. There is another another small enclosed rental shelter which is closer to the Rocket Slide.
You also have Riverview Park, McHenry Park & Birdland Swimming Pool (and Tennis Courts), if you are willing to walk/bike the trail west a couple miles. While on the trail, before you get to the 6th Avenue bridge, you will need to cross the street & go over the small hill, then you will be at the Birdland swim pool & tennis courts. If instead you keep walking the trail you will pass the Grubb Football Stadium (North High School) and will soon meet up to the Riverview Park playground for kids (& handicap kids), with a band shell, a walking bridge that goes over the lagoon, a side walk that circles the park area, and up the hill from there, you will see an open air shelter, that is McHenry Park (with three shelters, two open air & one enclosed), a splash pad and playground, a baseball diamond with a swing set & slide near.

Love sitting down at the marina, listen to some music, throw your feet in the water with your fishing pole and sit back and soak up the sun and fun!

We rented the Ding Darling covered shelter (which is an odd way to describe a fully enclosed building with nice bathrooms, a back patio on the lake, large parking lot and kids playground out front ) to host a dance party. I believe we will do that again and the levee to the north helps with dampening the sound.

Kids will love the playground. Right on the river. Still the same. Really busy this evening.