The big date is almost here for graduating seniors! With high expectations  for nice picnic weather on the weekend of May 9^th-11^th, picnic shelters have been booking up fast.  If you  plan to graduate and celebrate with a picnic in the spring of 2015, now is the time to get your reservation in!

When choosing a park in Ames, consider how many people are in your group and if you want a woodsy area surrounded by trees, open grass space, or a lake to enjoy.

The most popular parks in Ames include:

Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 N. Grand Avenue

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Lake,open green space, prairies

Covered shelters(not reservable)

Picnic tables, grills, restrooms, walking paths, paved bike paths

Fishing and boating (electric motors only) are allowed

Lighted, handicap accessible

Brookside Park, 1325 6^th Street

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space and wooded area

Maple, Hickory, and Linden Shelters -reservation required

Picnic tables, grills, restrooms, walking paths

Playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts

Daley Park and Greenbelt, 340 Wilder Blvd.

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space

Daley Shelter –reservation required (alcohol-free facility)

Restrooms, walking path, paved bike path

Basketball court, playground

Lighted, handicap accessible

Emma McCarthy Lee Park, west of Hyland, south of Ross Road

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space and wooded area

Crab Apple and Butternut Shelters –reservation required

Picnic tables, grills, electrical outlets, restrooms

Playground, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts

Lighted, handicap accessible

Inis Grove Park, 2500 Duff Avenue

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space and wooded area

Red Oak, Walnut, and Shagbark Shelters – reservation required

Picnic tables, restrooms, grills, electrical outlets

Playground, horseshoes, basketball courts, nature area

Lighted, handicap accessible

Moore Memorial Park, 3050 Northridge Parkway

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space

Big Bluestem andConeflower Shelters – reservation required

Picnic tables, restrooms, grills, electrical outlets

Playground, walking path, paved biking path, nature area

Lighted, handicap accessible

River Valley Park, 725 E. 13^th Street

Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm

Open green space and wooded area

Hawthorn and Cottonwood Shelters – reservation required

Picnic tables, electrical outlets, restrooms, nature area

Playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoes

Lighted, handicap accessible

For more information about Ames parks, please visit the Ames Parks & Recreation website.