Every city park in Grimes, from the splash pad to the sports complexes.
The one to know
Go-to parkWaterworks Park, 100 N James St
Splash padDaily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in season; closed now, back Memorial Day 2027
Also thereTwo playgrounds, sand volleyball, ball diamonds, shelters
How manyMore than a dozen city parks, including two big sports complexes
SheltersReserve in the city's Rec1 online catalog
The big ones
Which Grimes parks have the most to do?
Waterworks Park (100 N James St, 8.5 acres): splash pad, a new playground and natural play areas, three ball diamonds, sand volleyball, two shelters with electricity, and modern restrooms with baby and adult changing tables. By the library, north of Highway 44. Shelter 1 is free and first-come; Shelter 2, facing west, rents for $25 for four hours.
South Sports Complex (45 acres; TrailLink lists 750 James St): soccer fields on about nine acres including a lit tournament field, one tennis and two pickleball courts, three sand volleyball courts, two basketball courts, the skate park, walking trails, a big play structure, two concession stands, restrooms, and 487 parking spots.
North Sports Complex (about 26 acres, off NW 27th St): five youth softball fields, one adult softball field, more than five acres of soccer space, a concession stand, shelter, restroom, and electricity. The Beaverbrooke Park Trail starts here.
Hy-Vee Multiplex (49 acres, 1000 NE Heritage Dr, west of Highway 141 and north of Hy-Vee): six synthetic turf pods, 12 full-size soccer fields, 18 baseball and softball fields, 36 batting cages, two concession and restroom buildings, and 1,225 parking stalls. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. More in our sports complexes guide.
Grimes Community Complex Park (410 SE Main St, 3.6 acres): swings, a playset with slides, basketball hoops, sand volleyball, a picnic area, and a restroom.
Neighborhood parks
What neighborhood parks does Grimes have?
Lions Park (about 5 acres; parking at NE 5th St and NE Little Beaver): open shelter with outlets, two grills, four picnic tables, pickleball courts, playground, basketball, restroom. See our pickleball guide.
Heritage Park (1055 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, just over 2 acres, built 2021): modern restrooms, a walking path, and a clock tower. Hosts the Saturday farmers market.
Beaverbrooke Park (797 N James St, south end of Park Circle): shelter, grill, picnic tables, and a playset, on the north walking trail. No electricity.
Glenstone Park (3100 SE Glenstone Dr): shelter, trail, and a 20-foot open gazebo with two picnic tables (no outlet or grill).
Kennybrook South Park (800 SE Brookside Dr): shelter, playground, half-court basketball, sand volleyball, and trails.
Shawver Park (about 4 acres, reached by walking trail): shelter, two picnic tables, grill, play structure, and open green space.
North Pointe Park (3.8 acres): shelter, playground, grill.
Autumn Park (400 NW Brookside Dr): play structures, swings, half-court basketball, trails, and benches.
Wallace Park (S Main St and SE 6th St): on the former Wallace Farm, built to honor the town's farm heritage. Phase one is event green space and parking. Later phases may add a dog park, amphitheater, trails, a shelter, and an event venue as funding comes in.
For a different kind of play
Does Grimes have a skate park?
Yes, at the South Sports Complex. It was built in 2002 and is named for Sean Rolow. Helmets, pads, and wrist guards are recommended. Bikes, pets, glass, alcohol, and waxing the surfaces are not allowed in the skate area. For disc golf, the city's free 18-hole Glenstone MultiGolf Park plays three ways: disc, foot golf, or park golf.
Shelters and hours
How do I reserve a park shelter in Grimes?
Online, through the city's Rec1 catalog. Create an account, open the Park Shelters tab, pick a shelter, choose a date shown in green, check out, sign the waiver, and print the permit to bring with you. The main parks page does not list shelter fees; the Waterworks rental shelter is $25 for four hours. Questions go to City Hall at 515-986-3036 or Parks and Recreation at 515-986-2143.
The city lists trail hours of 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. but does not post park hours on its parks pages. Full details and any seasonal changes are on the City of Grimes parks page.
FAQ
Common questions
Does Grimes have a splash pad?
Yes. Waterworks Park (100 N James St) has a splash pad that runs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in season, along with playgrounds, ball diamonds, and sand volleyball.
How many parks does Grimes have?
The City of Grimes lists more than a dozen parks, including Waterworks Park, the North and South Sports Complexes, the Hy-Vee Multiplex, and several neighborhood parks, plus a skate park and disc golf.
When does the Grimes splash pad open?
The Waterworks Park splash pad ran May 25 to September 8 in 2026 and is set to reopen Memorial Day 2027. It runs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closes in bad weather.
How do I rent a park shelter in Grimes?
Reserve through the City of Grimes online Rec1 catalog under the Park Shelters tab, then sign the waiver and print your permit. Waterworks Park's west-facing Shelter 2 rents for $25 for four hours.
Where is the skate park in Grimes?
The Grimes skate park is at the South Sports Complex. Bikes, pets, and glass are not allowed in the skate area, and helmets and pads are recommended.
Know your town
The Grimes Brief keeps a running eye on parks projects, hours, and events, free every Monday.