Ames Park System
Ames boasts 38 parks and a full compliment of recreational facilities. Sunset Ridge is our newest park. The City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, and City staff invites you to enjoy our City's beautiful park system.  

PARKS WITH SHELTERS FOR RENT

SPECIALIZED PARKS

Reminder:  There are no tobacco products allowed in any of our facilities, including the park system.  (Iowa Code Chapter 142D Smokefree Air Act)

Park Policies

Searchable listing of Ames community parks, neighborhood parks, specialized parks, woodlands and venues.

Park Shelter, Diamond and Court Reservation Information

Adopt a Flower Garden

Each summer, Ames Parks & Recreation sponsors an "Adopt a Flower Garden" program.  This program is an effort to get public involvement in ongoing park beautification.  In 2010 more than 50 gardens were planted with over 20,000 flowers donated by Holubs Garden and Greenhouses of Ames.  The Parks and Recreation Department prepares the beds, supplies the bedding plants and water.  Volunteers are needed to design, plant and care for the flower gardens during the entire growing season.  We thank Holubs Garden and Greenhouse of Ames for their generous donation of over $7,000 worth of flowers each year to help beautify Ames.

To get involved in this program or request more information, please contact Joe Newman at joe.newman@cityofames.org or call 515-239-5341.

Community Gardens
We reserve 63 garden plots located at Ioway Creek Park, 600 S. Maple Ave. Garden plot sizes 10' x 40' and 10' x 25' and 14 ADA accessible raised garden plots at Carr Park, 1704 Meadowlane Ave. Garden plot size 3' x 10'.   Individuals interested in reserving a plot should contact us at 515-239-5350.
Garden Plot Interest Form

Park Watch 
We need your help! Vandalism in your park system is a serious, unnecessary, and costly problem. Each year the City spends thousands of tax dollars to remove graffiti and repair damage done by vandals. We would much rather use your funding to enhance and beautify the parks! If you see anyone in the parks committing acts of vandalism such as driving on the grass, damaging trees or other plants, defacing the shelters, restrooms, signs, trails  or playground equipment, PLEASE call the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5133 and report what you see. That's it! The Police Department will take it from that point on. Thanks for your help in keeping the park system safe and beautiful.

Report Vandalism or Maintenance Request

Mosquito Fogging in Parks
Parks are sprayed between the hours of 8 PM and 10 PM

• Mondays -- Country Gables Park, Ames Dog Park, and Hunziker Youth Sports Complex
• Tuesdays -- Homewood Golf Course, Inis Grove Park, Brookside Park, and River Valley Park
• Wednesdays -- Bandshell Park, Moore Memorial Park, Emma McCarthy Lee Park, and Daley Park

In case of rain, fogging will occur on Friday mornings between 6AM-8AM or 8PM-10PM. 

Other Park Links

• America's Running Routes for Trails in Ames
• Cross Country Skiing in River Valley Park [PDF]
• Cross Country Ski Trails Map 
• Bike and Recreational Trails Map [PDF]

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