Union Park Playground

The climbing structure here is genuinely one of the more interesting ones in Des Moines — it’s got that obstacle course feel where kids actually have to think about what they’re doing next, not just go through the motions. The artistic touches set this place apart too: mosaic work on the planters, a robot statue that kids lose their minds over, and flowers that neighbors actually maintain themselves. It’s a small park, but it earns its reputation. Parking is easy, which matters more than people admit, and when the art fairs roll through, the whole space takes on a different energy entirely. Locals clearly take pride in this one.