Discover Ankeny: Trails, Parks, and Culture

Ankeny brings together a variety of options for a stay: trail connections, parks, golf, recreational fishing, and arts and history offerings. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start planning your trip by deciding which of these activities you’d like to shape your days. The following places offer specific points of reference.

Trails, Parks, and Uptown

Ankeny’s trail system provides access to the High Trestle Trail, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail, and the Neal Smith Trail. The High Trestle Trail Experience Park is a specific park area along the High Trestle Trail. It spans 14 acres on both sides of the trail, from West First Street to the underpass at South Ankeny Boulevard. The park is being developed in phases over several years. This phased approach is an important distinction when deciding whether to visit the park during your trip.

New lighting along the High Trestle Trail Experience Park supports evening use of the trail and improves access to nearby shops and entertainment in Uptown. The trail system thus provides access to three named trails, while the Experience Park offers a more precise sense of place through its size and endpoints. These are different points of reference, depending on whether you’re interested in trail connections or a specific park area.

Parks, Golf, and Recreational Fishing

Miracle Park combines a large play area with a specific design feature. The Miracle Park All-Inclusive Playground is Ankeny’s largest playground, with more than 14,000 square feet of play space. The play equipment at Miracle Park is at wheelchair transfer height, making it easier to transfer between a wheelchair and the equipment. The information thus describes both the size of the playground and the function of specific pieces of equipment.

Otter Creek is a public 18-hole golf course at 4100 NE Otter Creek Drive in Ankeny. The course includes a double-sided driving range, two practice putting greens, and a pitching green with a bunker. The 18 holes and separate practice areas give you two different points of reference if golf is to be the focus of your stay. Public ponds in Ankeny offer another activity: recreational fishing.

History, Art, and Local Offerings

The House Museum offers a specific historical connection: it was built by John Marts in 1905 at 410 S. Ankeny Boulevard. Groups of visitors can tour the museum house and/or the Ankeny Historical Society’s barn. The Ankeny Art Center complements this historic site with changing art exhibitions, classes, and events. It also offers creative opportunities for artists of all ages and skill levels. The House Museum and Art Center therefore represent different cultural highlights: a dated building on the one hand, and changing art offerings and creative activities on the other.

The Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market is held at Ankeny Market & Pavilion Park in Uptown Ankeny. Its offerings include fresh seasonal produce, homemade baked goods, specialty items, perennials, and handmade crafts. This selection differs from the Art Center’s exhibitions and classes: the market focuses on produce, plants, and handmade goods. Since vendor offerings may change, it’s a good idea to check what’s currently available before your visit if specific items are important to your plans.

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