Parks, Lakes and Trails
STATE & COUNTY
PARKS, LAKES, TRAILS
Annett Nature Center & Park, Indianola
Nature Center, pond, trails, prairie, fishing, butterfly garden
Bank Swallow Bend Wildlife Area, Ackworth
Hunting, bird watching, mowed trails
Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park, Carlisle
Picnicking, biking, boating, fishing
Blue Flag Marsh, Norwalk
Wetland mitigation, hunting, wildlife observation
Grant Park, Swan
Picnic shelter, pond, wooded trails, campsites
Hickory Hills Park, New Virginia
Camping, fishing pond, hiking trail, homestead site, shelter
Hooper Area Pond, 6 miles SW of Indianola
Fishing, boat access
Lake Ahquabi State Park, Indianola
Shelters, Lodge, Camping, 6.5 miles of gravel trails, Swimming, Boating, Fishing
Lake Colchester, Norwalk
Fishing, Boating
Lundy Acres, Indianola
Trail, Woods, Picnic Area
Otter Creek Park, Indianola
Picnic area, trails, campsites, prairie, pond
Woodland Mounds Preserve, Ackworth
Timber habitat, 3 mile loop trail, picnic area, hunting
Zo-El Annett Woods, Prole
Hiking trail, woodland
City Parks
NORWALK
Norwalk's City Parks feature several notable attractions:
NFL Play 60 Challenge Course (1 of 3 in the Midwest) in Warrior Park
12-hole disc golf course in Windflower Park
Brownie Park Gardens and Magnolia Arboretum, the first Magnolia Arboretum in Iowa, registered with Magnolia Society International
Elizabeth Holland Park has a paved walk loop around a pond with sculptures and seating along the way
INDIANOLA
Indianola's 14 City Parks include:
Buxton Park Arboretum, with a butterfly garden, ornamental fountain, wind sculptures, and gazebo
Pickard Park, the city's largest park and home to hiking trails and native prairie
For a map of all 14 parks, click here.
CARLISLE
Carlisle's historic North Park features a log cabin and gardens, while South Park is home to the baseball complex.
OTHER CITY PARK OFFERINGS
Centennial Park and City Park in Milo
Lion's Park in New Virginia
City Park in Cumming
Mayor Becker Park in Cumming
Lacona Park in Lacona
Hartford's City Park.
Trails
PAVED TRAILS
Carlisle Nature Trail, Carlisle
3.3 miles. Connects to Summerset Trail.
Great Western Trail, Warren and Polk Counties
16.5 miles. Des Moines to Martensdale.
1 mile. Memorial Park to Summerset Trail.
1.6 miles. Pickard Park to Summerset Trail.
11 miles. Carlisle to Indianola.
UNPAVED TRAILS
The following State and County parks have unpaved trails (refer to previous section, "parks & lakes," for more information):
Annett Nature Center
Bank Swallow Bend Wildlife Area (mowed trails)
Grant Nature Land
Hickory Hills - (also has Native American burial mounds)
Lake Ahquabi State Park (6.5 miles of trails)
Lundy Acres
Otter Creek Park
Woodland Mounds (3-mile loop trail)
Zo-El Annett Woods - Trails and Swinging suspension bridge