2024 - 2025 Playground Renovation

The Ashawa playground remains closed and is anticipated to be opened by the end of October, 2025. The shelter/restroom and trail remain open for public use. The playground equipment at Ashawa Park is over 20 years old and is becoming outdated, beginning to show signs of age and impact from overall high use, and requires more frequent inspection and repairs. WDM Parks and Recreation is at the beginning stages for replacing the playground equipment and surfacing through a comprehensive planning and design process.

As part of this design process, we plan to hold two public input meetings to connect with the local neighborhood to learn more about how the playgrounds are currently used and how we can best serve our park users.

Public Meeting #1

The first public input meeting was held on Tuesday, July 30. An online survey was promoted to local area residents from July 22 - August 7 and received 75 responses. Findings from the online survey can be accessed here: Ashawa Park Community Survey

Public Meeting #2

• Informational meeting where conceptual playground design will be revealed, and residents can provide additional feedback.
• Tuesday, September 24, 2024
• 6:00 - 7:00pm
• Ashawa Park Shelter
• 4431 Waterford Dr., West Des Moines, IA 50265

Ashawa Park marks the approximate location of where the former Ashawa township once stood. The park offers a panoramic view of the West Des Moines City/School Campus and has one of the more architecturally interesting picnic shelters in West Des Moines.

Facilities include:

• Picnic shelter with grill (first come, first serve)
• Restrooms (open April 15 - October 15, weather permitting)
• Play equipment (2-5, 5-12 year-old, and accessible sections)
• Large open playfield
• Backstop
• Basketball court (non-lighted)
• Parking lot
• Reconstructed shortgrass prairie
• Ashawa Greenway Trail connection
• "Heartbeat of the Heartland" Public Artwork
•  Park Map

For more information please call 222-3444 or email parkrec@wdm.iowa.gov.