Ewing Park Playground

If you want a full day out without driving all over Des Moines, Ewing Park pretty much covers it. There’s a BMX and Soap Box Derby track that the kids absolutely lose their minds over, plus walking paths and a big open grass field when someone just needs to run. The BBQ area and restrooms make it easy to actually stay a while instead of cutting the trip short. It’s kept up really well — noticeably cleaner than a lot of other parks in the area. Quiet enough to feel like a genuine escape, but there’s always enough going on to keep everyone busy.