Fenced in Playgrounds in the Des Moines Metro

Fenced in playgrounds were a lifeline for my family for years! Whether you have kids who you always feel are running in opposite directions, a wanderer or a child who has yet to learn their name, these fenced in playgrounds could provide a safer place for your family to play.

Several public city parks are included in this guide. They have regular park hours and typically access to seasonal restrooms. There are also several private and school playgrounds included. These do not have access to public restrooms and may have limited hours. I have done my best to note times available for those playgrounds.

Each of these playgrounds have a variety of type of fences. Some fence a very large area with multiple elements and large fields. Some have a much closer enclosed fenced in area. I do my best to describe what the park offers.

Check out these other helpful park roundups:

Des Moines

Grace United Methodist Church

Address: 3700 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA

Please note: No public restroom access, unavailable when preschool is in session, closed at sunset.

Grace United Methodist Church is a small area that is fully fenced in with one exit. This area is packed with a toddler and a preschooler’s dream. It has several small playground equipment items to climb on. The corner of the playground is a mud kitchen that welcomes kids to use their imagination. Large trees around and two large shades also make it a great playground to visit on a sunny day.

Woodlawn Park

Address: 3126 Twana Dr, Des Moines, IA

Woodlawn Park has a very large fenced area with several open trail access areas in the fencing but they are set far back from the playground. We love that there are no busy roads in sight. Woodlawn is an older traditional playground set and has only one sprayer for the sprayground. We spent many days here when we needed a not as busy park but still wanted a little water play.

J F Taylor Early Learning Center

Address: 1801 16th St, Des Moines, IA

Please note: No public restrooms, closed to public during school hours.

This playground feels like a hidden oasis with its large trees. Tucked back behind the early learning center and fully double fenced in with gates that latch shut, this playground is perfect for kids who need a full fence (some areas are actually double fenced!) We park along Allison Ave and enter through the gate on Chautauqua Pkwy. This playground has two 2-5 playground structures.

Hillis Elementary

Address: 2401 56th St. Des Moines, IA

Please note: no public restroom, closed during school hours.

This has been a playground that my kids have visited often. It has a large area fenced in with three separate playgrounds with a variety of skill needed and lots of open green space. There are two gates on opposite sides that can be fully closed.

Greenwood Elementary

Address: 316 37th St. Des Moines, IA

Please note: No public restroom, closed on school days 7:30am-5:30pm.

Greenwood Elementary has two playgrounds set back from the road that you feel like you have entered a hidden oasis. The 5-12 year old traditional playground and playing field has a large fence around this area. Within the large fenced off area is a smaller 2-5 year old playground that is fully fenced in also. This playground has one gate that can be closed.

West Des Moines

West Des Moines United Methodist Church

Address: 720 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA

Please note: No public restroom access, unavailable when preschool is in session.

West Des Moines United Methodist Church has a small fully fenced in playground with a gate that fully closes set back behind the church. There are two 2-5 year old playground structures with several auxiliary pieces that will keep your little ones entertained!

Eric’s Place: Valley Community Center Playground

Address: 4444 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA

Please note: Partially fenced, bathrooms inside community when open.

This all inclusive playground is a welcoming place for children with all abilities. Offering many places to slide, climb and spin. This playground only has a fence between the parking lot and playground area, the other three sides are the entry way to the community center, the community center building and an open field.

Ankeny

Miracle Playground

Address: 400 NW Lakeshore Dr, Ankeny, Iowa

Please note: Partial fenced

Miracle Playground in Ankeny is an all inclusive destination playground that offers everything with the coolest baseball theme! This large playground area is partially fenced. There is a large fence that fully closes that separates the playground from the parking lot. The south and west sides have baseball field fencing and the far north side has a fence between the parking lot and the park. There is an area in the south west corner where a child could wander from the playground area. This is a large playground with partial fencing that could work well for some kids but not well for others.

Urbandale

Northview Park

Address: 4871 78th St, Urbandale, IA

Please note: Fenced in on only three sides.

This all inclusive playground is a great park for toddlers to big kids. Multiple pieces of playground equipment for kids with all abilities. We love having playdates at this park. This park is fully fenced on three sides. The fourth side is completely open towards the parking lot but has multiple tables and benches for adults to watch the open area. The playground itself is at the backside of the park, so the parking lot does not have a lot of vehicle traffic.

Olmstead Elementary Playground

Address: 7110 Prairie Ave, Urbandale, IA

Please note: Restrooms available at Lions Park across the street, closed during school hours.

Olmsted Elementary has two playgrounds. The 5-12 year old playground on the backside of the school is not fully fenced. The brightly colored 2-5 year old playground on the west side of the school is fully fenced with two gates that fully close. We absolutely love this playground and often find ourselves migrating to these playgrounds if Lions Park is busy.

Radiant Elementary School

Address: 5050 170th St, Urbandale, IA

Please note: No public restroom, school use only 6am-6pm M-F

Radiant Elementary has one playground area that is fully fenced in with a gate that closes. There is a standard 2-5 year old playground structure. It also has swings in this area and multiple auxiliary items plus a shade piece! There is also a larger 5-12 year old play structure farther back that is partially fenced.

Clive

Walnut Ridge Park

Address: 10700 Elmcrest Dr, Clive, IA 50325

Please note: No public restroom

This small pocket park is perfect! This was by far our most visited park for years. We love the digger/sand pit. There are places to climb, swing and slide. We also love the tennis court connected to the playground area. A perfect place to run around! This playground is fully fenced with one small exit gate.

Ames

Inis Grove Park

Address: 2500 Duff Ave, Ames, IA

Inis Grove is a destination all inclusive playground. The large area around the playground area has a fence around it but it has two large entrances that can not be closed. This all inclusive playground really has it all. Multiple different themed areas welcoming kids to use their bodies and imaginations. This playground can get busy so be aware if that is hard for your child.

Kate Mitchell Elementary

Address: 3521 Jewel Dr., Ames, IA

Please note: No public restrooms, closed during school hours.

This playground will wow your children! The bright colors will welcome them in! There are two large playground structures with so many different little auxiliary items spread throughout. This playground is fully fenced except for one large entrance/exit opening. This opening is far from busy roads.

Pella

Wonder Spelen

Address: 1334 Main St., Pella, IA

This all inclusive playground is fully fenced! There are several small exits, but these exits fully close and latch shut. Though the fenced area is fairly large and this playground can get very busy. This playground has the full dutch Pella theme which is so fun! There are also multiple structures for the younger crowd and my kids love the electronic game area too!