Tower Park Playground

Right in the heart of Des Moines, this park pulls double duty as a legit neighborhood hangout and a summer splash zone. The sprayground is the real draw — kids go absolutely feral for that mini tower feature when the heat hits. It’s not just a playground either; the park hosts music festivals, so there’s usually something going on beyond the usual swing-set crowd. Honestly, it’s one of those spots where you show up for the water and end up staying way longer than planned.