McHenry Park has a splash pad, swings and a natural playscape. The park has three picnic shelters and connects to Riverview Park via a paved trail, which is a 1/2 mile each way. We had a picnic dinner tonight in the shelter that overlooks Des Moines, complete with a view of the capitol.
The splash pad is open from May 1st to September 30th and the hours are 9 am to 8 pm. The man-made stream that connects to the splash pad is very popular and kids love to splash at the end of it in a very shallow swimming hole type area. I recommend bringing toys to float down the stream. Construction for a new playground was supposed to start last fall, but I didn't see any signs today of construction.
Playscape: Ages 2-12
Surface: wood chips (playscape), splash pad (rubber)
Swings: traditional, toddler
Restrooms: seasonal modern near splash pad
Parking: easy street parking
