Bandshell Park

Located at the corner of 6th Street and North Duff Avenue, this park offers an open grassy area with shade trees to kick back and relax and a play area for children.

Every Thursday night during June and July, Ames residents can gather here to listen to the Ames Municipal Band play under the direction of Dr. Michael Golemo.

Brookside Park

This park is popular for ISU students because it’s close to campus on 6th Street. It has many picnic shelters with grills, play areas, large open spaces and a ballpark.

Emma McCarthy Lee Park

This park can be found on Ross Road and has picnic shelters, grills, play areas and tennis courts. There are also trails for visitors to go hiking.

North River Valley Park

This park is located in east Ames on 13th Street. Here there are ballparks, sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters and horseshoe courts.

Gateway Park

This park is also close to campus and offers a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts and picnic shelters. The ISU/Ames Ice Arena is close to here.

Stuart Smith Park

Connected to Brookside Park by a trail that takes you under Lincoln Way, this park has a picnic shelter and open areas. It is located across from the intramural fields on University Boulevard.